CURRENT BOOKS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24570, 19 May 1945, Page 5

CURRENT BOOKS

PIONEER AIRMEN The Wright Bros. By FredC. Kelly. George G. H&rrap and Co., Ltd. 276 PP. To-day, when it is commonplace to fly safely thousands of miles over land and ocean, it is easy to forget that it is only 40 years or so since the American brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, presented to an incredulous world the accomplished fact of their flights in a heavier-than-air machine. Mr Kelly has assembled the life story of the Wright brothers in a form that permits the reader not only to assess the value of their achievement and trace the steps that led to it, but also to see what sort of men they were. (Orville Wright is still living.) The best index to their character is given in Orville’s reply to a man who marvelled that they were able to accomplish so much “with no special advantages.” “We were lucky enough, Orville said, “to grow up in a home where there was always much encouragement to children to pursue intellectual interests; to investigate whatever aroused curiosity.” And that is the key to their lives. Their father, a minister, with their mother’s help, actively encouraged their natural bent for mechanics. Their own determination did the rest. To the student of life as well as the student of aviation this book offers i.seful material.

SEEDS OF EMPIRE

Empire in Africa. By Alexander Campbell. Gollancz. 160 pp. In this critical study of the development of British colonies in Africa Mr Campbell presents some arresting and disturbing evidence about their administration. His principal emphasis,as is that of all who have intelligently studied colonisation in general and British colonisation in particular, is upon the responsibility of the colonising Power towards the native races of the colonies. While admitting that this is to-day being more and more practically recognised, Mr Campbell shows that policies to advance native welfare, social, economic, and political, have been too narrowly conceived and too slowly applied, permitting (if not promoting) economic exploitation without regard for it and \“?eed detrimental to it, Mr Campbells evidence can largely be checked by to Lord Hailey, the Pim report on the protectorates and that or the Royal Commission on Rhcdesia and Nyasaland. The importance of the present trusteeship issue at Sm Francisco makes this a particularly timely book.

LONDON

The Incredible City. »y ®o*>ert Henrey. 1. M. Dent and Sons Ltd. 195 pp. This book, mainly about London in war time, is a series of sketches rather than a comprehensive picture. While he has nothing very profound or penetrating to say, Mr Henrey’s chief and agreeable purpose is fulfilled. He shows that London has preserved its own immutable character through all assaults of circumstance. The book is illustrated with excellent photographs.