BOOK NOTES

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 6, 28 June 1928, Page 7

BOOK NOTES

(By Observer). ~~""~ * Lowell Thomas who was the first to introduce to the reading public the exploits of Lawrence in Arabia, has •written the story of Yon Luckner who did so much damage to Allied shipping i during the war. The Count tricked his way through the blockade of the Allies in an old sailing vessel with an auxiliary motor engine, and was successful in destroying millions of pounds' worth of Allied ships and merchandise. The story is one of the most romantic in the whole course of the war, and although the subject of the book caused us all much anxiety at the time, the sting does not remain, as in the course of his exploits .Yon Luekner was not responsible for the taking of a single life. Heinemanns are the publishers and the English price of the book is 10/6. ; Charles Alden Seltger's next book will be called "Mystery Bange." 'Hoddcr and Stoughton will be the publishers. Lovers of O. Henry's short stories will be pleased to learn that his complete works are now published in one handsome leather-bound volume to be sold in Now Zealand at 21/-. Maupassant's short stories, 200 in all, usually issued in ten volumes, are also published in one volume uniform with C). Henry, also selling in New Zealand at 2.1/-. Other volumns in the same aerie's are Dumas Complete Short Stories and Voltaires Complete Short Stories. All the volumes run into 1000 pages or more, and the print is excellent throughout.

Sydney Horlor has already gathered around himself a host of admirers. "Horlor for Excitement" is. the publishers' slogan when announcing new books by this author, and in so doing, they do not overstate the position. His latest book is called "Miss Mystery" and is true to label. Philip Van Loan, on special duty as an American undersecretary at the great Peace Conference at Monte Carlo, met, and immediately fell in love with Diana Fordwych. This love held true in spite of tremendous temptations —for the beautiful English girl was very much suspect. She was the intimate for instance of Baron Serge Velessoffsky. whom the Secret Service agents of many countries called, and not without reason, "the most dangerous man in Europe." Even after he had been ruined, and had thrown u\> his post in disgrace, Philip believed in Diana, and he had good cause —but you would never guess the secret of the girl whom M. Jqequard, the Chief of the Monte Carlo Secret Police, named "Madamsoiselle Mystery." In a word the story is a thriller of the highest class. Hodder and Stoughton are the publishers.

f The publication of Lord Oxford and Asquith's forthcoming volumes "Memories and Reflections, 1852-1921" will arouse widespread interest. The inner working* of the Cabinet a,t the outbreak of the World War will be rea«.l with eagerness as the true position of I things will be revealed for the first time. Lord Oxford's remarks about his colleagues in the Cabinet are very shrewd and no doubt are very just. Written, in diary form, Lord Oxford shows us from day to day the rapid development of events with its clash of men and interests. Take this as an example: "Our two rhetoricians/ Lloyd George and Winston, as it happens, have beth good brains of different types. But they can only think talking? 3 ust as some people can only think writing. Only the salt of the earth can think inside, and the bulk of mankind cannot think at all."

A b«ok which should find a ready sale is "A Short History of The World" by H. G. Wells, which Cassells will publish shortly at 7/6, ]*iglish price. The work was first published at 15/-. The present popular edition will contain the original full text and illustrations, of which latter there are 206 in all in half tone, gathered from all parts of the world and specially selected by the author as .accurate historical and archaeological representations. For those whose purses will not permit of their buying the monumental "Outline of History" by the same author, this smaller work will no doubt help to make up for much they would otherwise miss.

"Two Flights Up" is tlie title of Mary Roberts Renehart's forthcoming book which Hodder and Stoughton will publish.