THE BOOKMAN

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 143, 17 June 1916, Page 16

THE BOOKMAN

"Nelson's History df the War." By John Buchan. Thos. Nelson and Sons, Ltd., London.

. This admirably concise history of the war has now reached its eleventh volume. It embraces the period of the. struggle for the Dvina and the great invasion of Seryia. The new German strategy, consequent upon the' entry of Bulgaria into the war,' is outlined, and it is shown that the Allied military considerations were sacrificed to political expediency ; although, the historian observes, 'the true blow for the re-creation of Servia could'only be struck on the western front." What was done was done too late. "Had we in July," Mr. Buchan writes, "when there was ample evidence of Bulgaria's intentions,, sent to Salonika the six divisions which wont later to Gallipoli, it is more than likely that Bulgaria would have yielded, and, at the worst, we should have been able to attach Greece to our side." The table of events begins at 28th June, 1914 —the murder of the Austrian Archduke— and, finishes at 30th September, 1915, with the fight for the Hohenzollern Eedoubt on the 'west front. The maps are copious in number and most informative in detail. The White Paper on the British blockade, issued 4th January, 1915, is included; also the official account of the execution of Nurse Cavell.

"David Blaize." By E. F. Benson. Hodder and Stoughton, London. The author of "Dodo" has again earned the gratitude of all mankind which reads, especially in these days of depressing happenings. In "David Blaize" he has written a delightfully funny story of public school life. The boys are all so essentially human that they may have been —-as perhaps they were—modelled from the life and in the round. David Blaize's acquaintance will be -welcomed by boys as well as by . parents as a 'personality well worth knowing. How his archidiaconal parent brought him into contumely is but one exceedingly funny incident in tho book that will ensure its acceptance by all readers with joy and with gratitude, to the author. David Blaize's remarks on paternal wisdom (or want of it) are respectfully commended to all fathers of boys :—" Grown up people seem to think we think the same as they do. That's such rot. We might as well expect them to think the same way as us. They've forgotten about being fourteen, and we never knew about being fifty ... I think my father has forgotten a lot about being a boy." Whoever sends "David Blaize" to a friend will acquire much merit. It is a most exhilarating pick-me-up in moments of melancholy.

"Love at Large." By Sophie Kerr.' Harper and Bros., New York and London.

Here is a series of sketches done in the lightest of tints, of the life of a clever and pretty American woman. There 'is no plot; just a narration of everyday happenings. The reader follows Julietta Careon and her.; husband through various chapters in their lives; and sees them emerge from, trials and triumphs retaining their freshness and joy in life. The purpose of the sketches is to entertain; and if the book points no obvious iiseful lesson, it at any rate presents a healthy and sane outlook.