BOOKS... By “Caxton” A Batch Of New Books

Northern Advocate, 4 May 1940, Page 11

800K5... By “Caxton” A Batch Of New Books

Recent publications include an attractive list which may be briefly noticed as follows:

Inside Europe, by John Gunther, has been revised, enlarged by an addition of ninety thousand words, and brought up-to-date in January of this year as “The 1940 War Edition.” First published in 1936, and still commanding an increasing number of readers all over the world, it is one of the most. readable, comprehensive and authoritative disclosures of what is going on in Europe, featuring brilliant word portraits of the chief personalities that are making modern European history. This new issue is from the publishing bouse of Hamish Hamilton at the English price of 12/6. G.K.C. Fortells War. The End of the Armistice is an unattractive title. We are inclined to be superior and observe, “That’s long ago. We have more important matters to think about now.” But the name of the author, G. K. Chesterton, arrests any hasty dismissal. We reconsider. Nothing Chesterton ever wrote could be summarised in a title. No matter what his title, or his starting point in any subject, we generally, find G.K. crossing half-a-dozen different frontiers in as many pages; always interesting, independent, amazingly suggestive and stimulating, knocking irreparable holes in our cherished fallacies of conventional thinking and injecting new and creative ideas into our old and withered stock. The latest essay of this collection dates four years ago, yet the author saw another war with Germany definitely approaching, foretold a German attack on Poland, collaboration with Russia, and the task of England in confronting Nazi aggression. I don’t think we read Chesterton for information or profound thought, but for the enter- ! taining fencing of argument, the mas- | tery of English and his unique blend 1 of wit and wisdom. These are all I present and correct in this book, with something besides —a warmth of human comradeship, loyalty to great, ideals, and the bracing climate of a mind in love with English freedom and steeped in English literature. (Published by Steed and Ward at 6/-). Making Philosophy Useful. Philosophy for Our Times sounds like something from the pen of Professor Joad, who has written quite a number of articles and books recently in which he endeavours to interest the everyday mind of ordinary people in the fascination and usefulness of ' philosophy, applied philosophy, concerned with the arts of living and thinking in a bewildering age of changing creeds and social struggles. Well, it is another Joad book, and quite a good one. Nothing particularly new, if you have read his previous books. But here, in one book, he brings to a popular focus all the best he has been saying and teaching, makes it clear and engaging to the reader who usuaally shies quickly away from a subject he assumes to be dryly academic, and shows us the steadying and directional value of philosophy in the exhausting and stormy conflict of political, ethical and economic problems today.- Nelsons are the publishers at 9/6. A March of Knaves. Failure of a Mission,' by Sir Nevile Henderson (Hodder and Stoughton, ) 7/6). A letter from the Australian representative of this firm has just reached me, with an announcement and advance notices of this book, from all of which it appears likely that this is the book everyone has been waiting for, the one book by the one man who can, and does, tell us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about Hitler and Britain. Mr Hodder-Williams, principal of the publishing firm, says:— It is simply wonderful. It is an account of Sir Nevile Henderson’s three years as Ambassador in Berlin.. It gives real inside information . of all the major characters in this gigantic drama, and it is full of

stories and amazing statements of. fact, but yet —and this is the point—there is no bitterness, no hatred of the, German people, no rancour, just a straightforward record, marshalling the facts, of a man who went to Germany with no idea except to save the world from this war—and failed. All the figures are here, all the German knaves march through his pages: Hitler, Goering, Goebfaels, Ribbentrop, Himmler. In the sharpest possible contrast stand the noble figures of Chamberlain and Halifax. Mussolini is there, too, and comes out not without some credit, and his Ambassador in Berlin with still more credit. One word more: this book is the final indictment of Hitler and his gang. It tears them to shreds before the eyes of history. This book is not yet in New Zealand, but it soon will be, and in Whangarei. But the copies available in any shop will be limited, probably far fewer than the demand when the importance and astounding exposures of the book are realised. The wise will anticipate disappointment by ordering ahead. It is unique in English history that an Ambassador has been authorised. to publish immediately an intimate account of what he saw and heard in the discharge of his office. It is not a cold historic retrospect, years after, in tranquil and pruned remembrance, but hot from the anvil, right out of the storm centre of German passion and intrigue. Everything about it is palpitatingly alive and sensitive to the issues involved. On March 26 the Prime Minister, in the House of Commons, referred to the importance of this “forthcoming book” and the permission recessary for a Civil Servant on the staff of the Foreign Office to publish anything relating to his professional work and experience. On April 18 the publishers cabled Australian agents: “Worldwide interest. First edition fifty thousand sold out. Reprinting today.” Published at 7/6, New Zealand price 10/6.

NAZI HELL. Dachau is a word that will be indelible on the forehead of history like the crimson brand of Cain. The British White Paper, and numerous other sources, have given us, from time to time, enough testimony to convince the most reluctant that Germany has perpetrated in this Nazi camp some of the worst horrors of inhuman torture ever inflicted upon prisoners. Francis Aldor and Simpkin Marshall are associated in the recent (February) publication of “Dachau, the Nazi Hell.” It is arranged by L. Wolfe from notes of a one-time prisoner in the camp. The translator was Mr. G. R. Ray. The published price is 5/-. Vol. 3 of Stephen King-Hall s History of the War was issued towards the end of January -by Messrs Hodder & Stoughton (2/-). The following books have been published in cheap editions since the New Year came in: “Davey’s Ambition,” by Joseph Hocking (Ward Lock, 2/6); “Jack of All Hearts,” by Annabel Lee (Mills and Boon 2/6); “Salute To Freedom,” by Eric Lowe (Collins 4/-); “Quinneys for Quality,” by Horace Annesley Vachell (Ward Lock 3/6), and “The Diamond Racket” by Norman Anthony (Sampson Low 2/6).