REAL STORY BUT POOR STYLE

Radio Record, 22 July 1938, Page 29

REAL STORY BUT POOR STYLE

LOVERS of sea books will welcome E. Keble Chatterton’s latest publication "Valiant Sailormen," since lovers of sea books seldom. require literary skill. Mr. Chatterton undoubtedly has a story to tell-a story crammed with red-blooded in-cident-but he tells it in a species of journalistic jargon that is at the best irritating and at the worst utterly maddening. Nevertheléss, the story has the stamp of authenticity. It leaves the impression that truth-his-tory with all its unexpected twistsis indeed stranger than fiction. In spite of the modern machine age there is still romance in seafaring. Some of the incidents related in the book are well-nigh incredible. Up to the present they have been hidden away in private. records, but Mr. Chatterton’s patient research for material has disclosed them to the very considerable enrichment of romantic literature. [I found the short history of the Q ships incorporated in the book, one of the most revealing and thought-provoking documents of its kind. "Valiant Sailormen" is the type of book that should appeal to young and old alike-provided, of course, the young and the old have an initial interest in adventures and the sea. "Valiant Sailormen," by E. Keble Chatterton (Hurst and Blackett, London.) Our copy from the pubisner. . (More reviews next page.)