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READERS' COLUMN.

(By James Wortley.) *TIIE SLAV NATIONS. •' The 'Slav Nations," by Srg.jan PI. Tucie, translated by Fanny S. Copeland. The Daily Telegraph War Rooks. London: Hodder and Stoughton, Is 3d net. Tiie book fills what to the average reader has been a big gap in his knowledge of world affairs, for it sets out with the facility of. a perfect knowledge, a statement of the position of the Balkan States in their relation one to the other, and to the weight of power held by the Russians. It very clearly explains much of the potty jealousies exhibited, and also the fear of the crushing nature of Russia, should she step in and take control, for, though Bulgaria and Servia fear each other's predominance in 'Balkan affairs, they fear much, more the loss of their independence to Russia. The author divides his book into two parts, one on the North Slavs, and the other on the Southern Slavs.

The book contains an able plea for the constitution of the Slavs as a race entity, bringing under one Government the various sections from Dalmatia and Istria, Croatia and Servia.

It would appear that the real issue which let loose the European dogs of war was a realisation by Germany and Austria that something must be done by the latter to hold in subjection the Slav peoples already under her dominion, and Germany conceived this was necessary to the preservation of the AustroHungarian Empire and its existence as a buffer State between Germany and Russia.

The book covers new ground for the genera! reader, and is a distinct acquisition to the literature on the European situation.

A NEW ROMANCE OX AX OLD SUBJECT. *" The Victim," by Thomas Dixon, author of " The .Southerner." New York and London: D. Anploton and Co., IM-1. , Mr. Dixon lias given us so many vivid stories of the Civil War, all based on strictly historical facts, that those who know not his versatility might consider the subject exhausted. In " The Victim," however, we have a tale that, - if possible, eclipses his great portrayal of Lincoln. The author tells us he has taken no " writer's license" with his historical facts, and. this being so, Jefferson Davis, the 'president of the Confederate States, has been a good deal maligned in popular versions of the war. In Mr. Dixon we have a man who has made what might be termed an analytical study of the motives that moved men during that trying period of the States' history. In addition, he stands as it were apart from the fierce feeling that divided brothers, and has been enabled to look with impartiality into causes and results. That men can be actuated by noble impulses $o fight on the wrong side is undoubted, and we are able, from our detached point of view, to sympathise, where we cannot commend.

All the principal characters of the book are real men and women in history, and we have excellent pen-pictures of Jefferson's wife and his secretary, Harrison, of Beauregard, and Stonewall Jackson, Robert Lee and W. S. Grant.

XOTE3. In reviewing " The Fellowship of Silence" (MaeMillan, is (id), the Christian World tells us that the gatherings which now become common throughout Canada, England and the Statea iirst began at the little village of Ilavelock on the 'Pacific coast of the North Island of New Zealand! Yet another evidence of the accurate knowledge of New Zealand geography among English journalists!

The Home University Library OVil, liams and Morgate, Is 3d net) publishes four new books of special merit. This series has not been so good for some time, so that Mr. Elisor's "Belgium" is .especially welcomed, and Mr. John Bailey's "Milton" is beyond praise. A very practical text hook is Clement Webb's "History of Philosophy." It gives a succinct, clear and rapid survey of the subject, and covers within it's narrow limits a very wide field of thought. Mr. Ernest Baker's " Political Thought in England from Spencer to To-day" completes a quartette of *ncw and attractive volumes.

William Iteineman has just published Sir Douglas Mawson's hook on his Antarctic Expedition, entitled, " The Home of the Blizzard." It contains maps and illustrations in color and black ami white; 2 volumes, 30s net.

Mr. Frank Bullen, one of the most picturesque figures among modern writers, has just died at Madeira, at the early age of fifty-seven. His early life was very hard and bitter, in addition to being adventuresome. Me was twice shipwrecked before the age of twenty. On his own showing lie first found real friends and happiness in New Zealand. When twenty-two, after a voyage round the world in the Caelielot, he obtained a position at iii a week in the Meteorological Office. From there he sent notes of the voyage to Rudyard "Kipling, suggesting he should write a book. Kipling told him to do so himself, with the result we have that fine tale of tlie sea, " The Cruise of the Caelielot." His knowledge of the mysteries of the sea was profound, and his interpretation of everything pertaining to it has been likened to Richard Jeffries' description of the English countryside. He had a deeply religious nature, which is strongly evidenced in his books, such as "With Christ at Sea," "Sea Puritans/' etc.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19150503.2.7

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 278, 3 May 1915, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
877

READERS' COLUMN. Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 278, 3 May 1915, Page 2

READERS' COLUMN. Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 278, 3 May 1915, Page 2

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