BOOKS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24758, 4 December 1943, Page 4

BOOKS OF THE DAY

EEVIEWS IN BBIEF In spite of its title, "Call No Man Happy," by Andre Maurois, is a happy book about a full and interesting career. From the "early paradise" of California M. Maurois looks back on his life—the family woollen mills at Elbeuf, near Rouen; the brilliant scholastic career of which lie writes with naive enthusiasm; his liaison work with the British Army in two wars; and his books. It is an intensely persona] autobiography which reaches its peak when the author is elected to the French Academy. As M. Maurois has written at length in "Tragedy in France" on the events of the last few years, he only touches at the end on his country's present plight. He is now engaged in interpreting France to youthful America, just as for many years he has interpreted England to Ifis own people. (Cape.)

Magistrate's Story Mr. F. 0. Langley," Metropolitan Magistrate of London's East End. has written a delightful story entitled "Singapore to Shorcditch." Here is a magistrate with a sense of humour as keen as that of the cockneys' among whom lie works, and a deep understanding of his fellow men. He is slso a descriptive writer of a very high order. The working of Old Street Courtis vividly presented to the reader from the moment the sentimental traveller from China enters the dock. (Frederick Mullen-) Bush Companions Young readers will be interested in Miss K. M. Knight's little book, "They All Go Seeking," which tells of Baby and her five companions, Crawler, the crayfish, Rabbit, Eel, Tommy Cod and Morepork. They all go seeking in the bush for the mysterious Voice and their adventures are recorded with a beauty of expression which matches then surroundings. The book is illustrated with many line drawings by the well known artist Garmonsway. and printer! by Wilson and Horton, Limited. Greed for Money and Power "Daniel Cavour," by E. S. Evens, is the story of a money-maker, described feelingly by one of the characters as "a colossus of self-interest," and by another as "the cruellest man 1 ever knew." An American boy, son of an Italian immigrant and a New England mother, Daniel Cavour begins with nothing and dies a man of vast wealth, having enjoyed no advantages but a boundless greed for money and power, an immense vitality, and a personal charm that overpowers even those who realise that he has never known a decent impulse. It is a strange book, a coldly detached study of total egotism and of the means by which it fulfils itself. (Bodley Head.)

Modern Advertising A very capable study of the uses and abuses of modern advertising is furnished by Mr. Denys Thompson in "Voice of Civilisation." The writer knows his subject thoroughly. Although lie takes a rather gloomy view of advertising as a whole, he believes that the return to a simpler way of living after the war will diminish persuasive advertising, which he regards as generally harmful. He looks for an increase in informative advertising, contending that this is legitimate and beneficial. (Muller.)

TO DAY'S SPORT The third series of matches in the first round of the Auckland Cricket Association's senior championship will be concluded at Eden Park this afternoon. Tri the match on the No. 2 wicket North Shore compiled IPS last Saturday ajrainst Eden-Ponsonbv-Bal-moral which has yet to bat. On the No. 1 pitch "Parnell made 234 for five wickets •lg-ninst Gr;ifton-Y.M.G.A.. Parnell Colts totalled 00 in (he came on the No. 3 wicket with University-Middle more which replied with II for four wickets. Matches in the City and Suhurhan Cricket Association's championship will he continued at the Domain. . the chief attraction on the Yo. 1 wicket heinc between TT-V. and M.T.P R ns ehall conWs will be played nt Cnrlnw Park. The Waitemata Boatini Club and the Wect End Rowin? Hub will open the season