BOOKS

Northern Advocate, 3 June 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

BOOKS

Interesting Library' Additions Among new books recently added to the public library, the following may be noticed as of special interest: . “Doctors Don’t Believe It.” Lord Horder, the famous Harley Street and Royal physician, writes an introduction to this brightly informative book in which, after allusion to the mental bondage in which so many of us are afflicted by our mistaken beliefs about a lot of things that science has disproved, he concludes: “I have not yet come across a more attractive form of health education than the perusal of this book is likely to prove to the reader. At the same time, the text and the mode of its presentation successfully challenge the most severe criticism. The author is another highly distinguished authority, Dr. August A. Thomen . Does a Drowning Person Rise Three Times? There are seven chapters on “false notions,” about hygiene, major ailments such as cancer, minor ailments, food, mind, body, marriage and death, and superstitions. There are 30 notions exploded in chapter one, 37 under chapter two, 36 under chapter three, and so to a total of 185. Tl|ie last four deal with common fallacies about hydrophobia.

The following promise some keen reading: (148) “That a drowning person rises to the surface three times”; (143) “That Darwin claimed that man is descended from a monkey”; (141) “That men who are very hairy -are possessed of great physical strength”; (127) “That a receding chin is a sign of weakness”; (122) “That the time

By “Caxt ”

Exploding Common Fallacies A Doctor Straightens Us Up

The New Liberal Thinking

when salt is added in baking or cooking is of little importance”; (79) “That hay fever is contagious” and, what is more important to a lot of us who suffer from it, fallacy number 92: “That it cannot be cured.”

Can o re Slim on Lemon Juice?

Putting it another way, there are ISS questions of very useful general knowledge that could be asked of any of us, and a good many of us would

give a wrong answer to most of them, until we let this book open our eyes. Number one, for example: “Will cleaning your tooth frequently, especially if a tooth paste or powder is used, prevent the teeth from decaying?” “Is it true that ‘a clean tooth never decays’?” I confess that I should have answered this in the affirmative with-

out a moment’s hesitation, and it came as. a shock to find that science, authentic science, says “no.” You can't credit it! Well, read for yourself and see. And what about our lovely sisters, wives and all the world of beautiful womanhood that is crazy about slimming? Fallacy number four exposes the idea “that lemon juice or vinegar is a simple and effective method of reducing one's weight.” Believe me, this book is tremendously interesting, almost exciting. All the same I don’t think you had better read it if you can’t stand a few old and cherished notions being blown up, sky high.

Liberality and Civilisation is a small book, but packed with big writing by a great scholar and thinker, Professor Gilbert Murray. It is not an essay on charity, but on what we generally mean by liberal thinking, not “liberal ’ in the narrow political sense apparently, but in the sense of freedom from false and prejudiced ideas. All the subjects that are to the front in the battle fields of daily news are touched upon in this stirring little book, and

whether you agree with the Professor or not dcosivt matter a button. What doer matter is that you make contact with one of the ready big minds of Inc modern we rid and yet, the instinct and material in your own mind for bioud and sane thinking about the proolems cf the day. Can We Trust Germany? Ourselves and Germany, by the Marquess of Londonderry, was first published Inst year. It is a discussion cf the German question by a British peer who was. until 1935, Secretary of State In the Air Ministry. His contact:.’, with foreign problems, and his vela fie ns with foreign leaders have given him a point of view more generous to Germany than is common. Bclvinff Problems of Car DrivingMotorists will find a fascinating story of car mechanism, the art of driving, and traffic obligations in A Key to Metering, by Sir Malcolm Campbell, Handy, lucid, practical and illustrated. The gcod wine of this authorship needs no bush. The World of Animal Wonders Children, and all who keep a corner of their minds for the rapturous delight of children in the world of animals, will love to pore over the text and graphic illustrations in E. C. Bcu’cnger's World Natural History. There is an introduction by H. G. Wells. The author is the director of the aquarium and curator of reptiles at the London Zoo. There are reproductions cf 150 modern photographs. The whole delightful story is modern. The Tuatara is described and illustrated. It is said to be found only on certain islands of the Bay of Plenty. The author apparently was not aware that it is also preserved in the islands off the coast of Northland. This curious and ancient lizard has a full page capital photo to itself. The kiwi has half a page for its photo. The Australian “frilled lizard” and duckbilled platypus have their text and illustrations also. The rest of the world is amply represented. A scrumptious book. More New Of new stories The Godwits Fly, by Robin Hyde, looks inviting and less forbidding than her “Passport to Hell.” “Think Fast, Mr Moto” was the. “Daily Mail” selection as the “thriller cf the month.” It is by John P. Marquand. and the atmosphere is that of the secret service in the Far East. Gilbert and Sullivan Lovers of Gilbert and Sullivan's undying operas—and they are legion—have long known that these two famous men did not always hit it well together. So it was, and here is the story pleasantly told by Cosmo Hamilton. They were very human, and their genius taxed the patience of their admirers as well as the forbearance of each oilier, for they had many frailties of temperament. But how r poor the world would have been without them, and this dramatised story of their lives is gcod reading.

Ey the Author of “South Riding”

Winifred Holtby has left us muchvery much, that is dearly prized and lovable in literary charm and gracious

human insight. Anderby World is not a new novel, but a new issue in a jfodlcy Head cheap, but well printed edition. Like “South Riding." it is a story of Yorkshire folk that, captures your interest and holds it through by a fresh, vivid and powerful style. Bury the Fast, by Jennifer Ames (Hodcler and Stoughton. 7/6) is among seme recent novels to hand. The author has made one or two characters stand

out in ali her books, as for example Susan, in "Good Sport," Pandora in “Pandora Lifts the Lid." and Natalie in “Tinted Dream." The two opening words of this story supply the name of the adorable girl it outstandingly presents, Ruth Turner. Margot wanted David, the young doctor. She switched to Jawe O'Connor, a daredevil. Jake wanted Ruth, but found himself thwarted by complications with Margot. How fares the first love of Ruth and David'.’ Well, you must read the story to sec. and if you like a well thought out romance, dramatic and charming, you will like “Bury the Past.” New Zealand Author’s Success

Overture to Death, by Ngaio Marsh (Collins. 7/6). This is a “Crime Club" choice, and the author a member of a New Zealand pioneer family who. in winning world-wide fame as a novelist, has reflected a measure of distinction upon the Dominion where she was educated, and in her earliest inclinations studied for five years in a New Zealand school of art. While studying for an artistic career she began to write and composed a play. Shown to a .touring actor-manager it greatly impressed him, and led to her accepting an offer of a playing part in his repertory company, in which she toured for two years. Cadaverous And Homicidal Titles

The authentic knowledge of artists and of the stage which her novels reveal, as in “Artists in Crime.’’ "Vintage Murder” and “Enter a Murderer” is the fruit of her studious experience in these professions. Her most recent success, “Death in a White Tie,” was reviewed in this column. This succession of cadaverous and homicidal

titles lends to a gloomy monotony. One could wish for more variety. Bid thif

oruicwm does 1101 extend to the quality of the author's writing or the freshness and vigour of her plots. '‘Overture to L'oalh" derives its title and arresting opening from a village play to raise funds for a young people's friendly circle. There is some rivalry about the overture to the performance. Miss Prentice wins the selection against Miss Campanula, a wealthy spinster ot the village. But Miss Prentice develops a bad finger and can’t play. Mias Campanula appears instead, pleasantly triumphant. She opens with a few notes of Rachm.cninoirs Prelude —and col lapse, 1 : over the piano—shot dead. The rest is (lie story, and is absorbingly worked out. Interesting Dramas.

Thorp who are looking for plays suitable for boys and girls, net too difficult for juniors and not too hard for simple production at school or home parties, wili find in Foulsham's Plays for Pays and Girls a handy and suitable collection. There arc twelve selections ranging over drama, comedy and revue: in one. two and three acts, including ‘'Flanders’ Poppies." “Prince Arthur.” “Five Girls and a Ghost,”

“Votes for Flappers” and “The Ugly Duckling.” There is a chapter of hints to young actors, and a note with the

pleasant announcement that these plays, any of them, may be performed by amateurs with payment of acting

In Longman's ‘'Heritage Series,'’ there is a small volume of One Act Comedies edited, by the headmaster of St. Marylebono Grammar School. The authors include Clemencc Dane. Anton Tehchcr. Hans Sachs and J. O. Francis, who does “The Poacher. - ’ Miss Clemencc Dane is capital in “Shivering Shocks. - ’ Stories From History Stories from History contains “ten plays for schools, - ’ based on occasional historical 8.8. C. broadcasts for school children. “The Greeks Win a Victory.’’ “Alexander Tries to Conquer the World. - ’ and “Christopher Columbus Discovers a New World - ’ seem to indicate the range of choice. This is an easy way to history without tears, and it is brightly done, without demanding too much of the young performers. A note in the introduction puts you at ease by saying: “The dialogue is not fer the children to learn. It is for them to read through and then, on the basis of that skeleton, to supplement, remember or imagine the scenes for themselves.’’ This is much wiser-than insisting, a machine prepision of word perfection that drugs the imagination.

Pitman's publish an excellent little book Five Flays for Boys, by L. du Garde Peach, with some helpful illustrations. An old Greek legend supplies “The Bag of the Winds.” Other sources arc obvious in “Horeward the Wake,” “Alfred and the Navy,” and “Clipper Ships.” The illustrations suggest costumes that are within easy reach of what can be made or fixed up at homo.