NEW BOOKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18275, 16 December 1922, Page 6 (Supplement)

NEW BOOKS.

BY CBITIC. Whatever may be said against American or Australian literature, there is this to be conceded to it. It deals -with the out-of-doors subjects: it contains no triangular sex problem. If its wild-westers are super-men, they at least shoot straight and love straight; "and tliis is much better than too much drawing room intrigue or feminine introspection. It is not morbid; the villain is always punished, the virtuous giri is rewarded by marriage ■with an honest man ; gold takes its right place, and valour and courage rank high— all good things. OUTDOOR STORIES. " Big Peter "—by Archibald Marshall (Collins, London). The story of an Australian who becomes heir to an earldom. There is all the excitement of a missing marriage certificate; the earl's daughter falls in love with th<f Dig hero; the earls servant tales to many the " Countess, and murders the rascally law-clerk who has stolen the certificate. Hut the big Australian wins through and takes his bride to Australia. 'The Black Gang "—by Sapper (Hodder and Stoughton, London).—A fine story of villains foiled by a gang of gentlemen. Reminiscent of "The Scarlet Pimpernel, the tale is one incident after another. Hugh Drammond is splendid as the big leader of the " Black Gang." One gets splendidly excited when both he and his wife aro" trapped, and on the verge of death. But, of course, the gang arrives in time to rescue them. It is excellent stuff. „ „ "Rangy Pete"—by Guy Morton (Small. Mavnard and Company, Boston; Bymocks, Sydney). Set in the "out west parts of' America, where a " hold-up " partv includes a blue-eyed girl. " Rangy Pete*" has plenty of thrills. The hero, can shoot from the hip, can fall in love and laugh. He does fall in love with "" Miss Dick." the girl who dresses and fights like a boy, and he, eventually gets her to love him. The excitements are typically American. " " Shoe-Bar Stratton "—by Joseph B. Ames (Century Coy., Xew York: Angus and Robertson. Sydney). —An even better story of .Wild-west ' America. Stratton i after a year's lapse of memory, returns home from the war—to find his ranch in the possession ofi.a young woman, Mary Thome. Under an assumed name he gets work on the run. and finds strange doings. Cattle-rustlers take the herds; blackleg appears among the stock. Stratton himself is thrown over a precipice but Mary Thorno finds him. The secret of all this is plain when Stratton finds indications of oil on his land. It is clear then that the overseer, Lynch, is plotting to make the girl give up her ranch because he wants it himself. The adventures come thick and fa6t and the story holds the reader to the end. " The Pathless Trail" —by Arthur Fnel (Harpers, New York: Robertson and Mutlins, Melbourne).—A really good story of an unusual type of adventure. Peru is the place chosen for the search of a young, rich American who has completely disi appeared after conversation with a German, who is staying at the very undesirable house of "accomodation where the throe white men begin their task; thoy accept his offer to provide a crew of rowers. Treachery is nt the back of this, but they go to look for a certain speechless wild man reported as being in the forests. Then the excitement comes in earnest and the book is one succession of thrills. It is well written, being easily the best of the gropp of American stories preuent-ed. Success rewards the hunters; and the insane wild man recovers his reason and his fortune. The Gexjnan scoundrel dies, his minions perish, find the foul schemes are defeated. GOOD QUESTIONS. "The Science of Eating"— by Alfred W. McC'ann (Doran, New York: Page, Auckland). —"How to insure stamina, endurance, vigour, strength and health in infancy, youth and age."-—This book is full of -wisdom; in it are embodied the very latest discoveries connected with food values. A plea is made for simple food, for pure food, and for the abolition of all the injurious fancy additions to our diet. The over-refinement of sugar is held responsible for many modern deseases : and that of flour for much malnutrition. Raisins as a generous article of diet, fresh vegetables and fruits are recommended. As a scientific expert's contribution to the food question, this book must be given a very high place. "How to be Useful and Happy from Sixty to Ninety"—by A. Lapthorne-Smith (Lane, London). —An interesting record of the activities of various sexagenarians who by working and living simply, led or are leading happy and useful lives. mSOELLANEOUS MATTERS. "The King's Pilgrimage"—(Hodder and Stoughton, London). —Issued under Royal desire, this account, so beautifully illustrated of the King's journey in the earlier months of the year, to the scenea of of war, is of especial interest to soldiers or their relatives. The pictures of the atone of Remembrance are particularly fine. "Near Eastern Affairs and Conditions" —by Stephen Panaretoff (Macmillan, London).—A series of lectures delivered in America, dealing with Balkan matters, criticising especially the nature of the Peace Conference of Paris. The writer . adds bis opinion to those already expressed against the conditions of the treaty. "England"—by an Overseas Englishman (Lane, London). —In this the writer calls attention to Bernard Shaw's statement that England is run by Welsh brains, Scotch brains, Irish brains, and Jewish brains, while the Englishman relapses more ' and more into the role of figurehead. " Loch Lomand and the Tro3sachs "—bv E. W. Haslehurst, R.8.A., and George Eyrc-Todd. and "Edinburgh" described by John Geddie with illustrations, are meritorious publications (Blackie, Edinburgh) —covering the picturesque features of these ', localities "The Problem of Ohina" —by Bert-rand Russell (Allen and Unwin, London). — The author's purpose is to trace the interactions of political and cultural ques--1 tions to show the dangers of foreign aggression in China, and to emphasise the importance of China's contribution, past and future, to the civilisation of the world. A greater realisation of China's rights, he argues, is as much to our interest as to that of the Chinese themselves. Cowardice he alleges, is a fault of the Chinese, avarice their greatest defect. This book covers ■ very solid ground. ! " The Lhota Nagas "-by J. P. Mills (Macmillan. London).—An interesting i record of an observer's notes on a littlestudied tribe of Orientals. Their ceremonies and customs are quaint and often unusual. > NEW ZEALAND PUBLICATIONS. "City of Wellington Year Book" (Whitf combe and Tombs. Christchurch). —A very , j neatly compiled little book with good photo , graphic illustrations and very clear inforj mation. "Powers of Attorney Relating to Land" • T b - y Ro ' V Baird (Gisbowe Publishing [ Company!.—ln the preface of this useful ' httle legal book the compiler modestly hopes that his work will prove of "benefit • to many and a curse to none." r. "Climpses of New Zealand Scenery"— 3 by R. E. Banghan (Whitcombe and • tombs. Auckland).—A well-illustrated, ? highly writ ten. description of many points 1 of interest in this country. t "The Smithsonian Institute's Annual j report for 1920, contains a good survey of . scientific discoveries and researches. Vitamins suppression of pests by birds, an g account of the narcotic powers of the da tura, and an interesting description of fire worship among the Hopi Indiana are per-