BOOKS OF THE DAY: REVIEWS IN BRIEF

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25030, 21 October 1944, Page 10

BOOKS OF THE DAY: REVIEWS IN BRIEF

An interesting addition to the unofficial records of Allied naval service has been written by Mr A. D. Divine, an English journalist who has made good use of his opportunities to see the fleets in action. To previously published works on such subjects as the merchant navy and auxiliary warships he lias added "Navies in Exile." which deals with the valuable work performed by the navies of Poland, Norway, Holland, France, Yugoslavia, Belgium, Denmark and Greece, and with the heroic actions of many men of all these nations. It is a story well worth placing on "the records, and Mr Divine lias made such a good job of his self-appointed task that the book has much general interest. Many of the incidents he relates have not previously been reported. (John Murray.)

Mystery Novel _ in "What Stranger Cause?" hy Francis Bamford, history repeats itself in a remarkable way. When .Julian, eleventh Farl of Melsetter, inherits the statelv country home Queen's Charity, he becomes aware of mysterious influences at work. His friend arid neighbour, a historical research expert, unravelling the story of the Melsetter family from old diaries and documents, discovers that in the middle of the eighteenth century a curse was laid on the family by Marco Foscoli, Italian secretary to the third Earl. t Julian's choice between Queen's Chanty and the lovely Elizabeth and the final fulfilment of the Italian's prophecies make unusual and entertaining iignt reading. (Longmans.),

Norway Fights On "Before We Go Back" is a pictorial record of Norway's silent battle against the German invader and the Quislings in her midst, "if there is anyone who wonders why this war is being fought let him look at Norway," said President Roosevelt in 1942. The Norwegian Government, in the publication under review, lias given substance and illustration to his words. (His Majesty's Stationery Office.)

Two Poets The New Hogarth Library of poetry lias now 14 volumes to its credit. The two latest additions are "The Sun My Monument," by Laurie Lee, and "A Lost Season," by Roy Fuller. Laurie Lee, who is a well-known contributor to English journals, is the true lyric poet. Roy Fuller needs no introduction to those who enjoyed his first collection, "The Middle of a War/' published also in this series. "A Lost Season" reflects the poet's experiences with the Kleet Air Arm in East Africa. Mr Carter Dickson With a London zoo as the setting and two young professional magicians —inheriting a feud as fiery as the one between the Montagues and the Capiilets —as two of tho characters, Mr Carter Dickson enjoys himself in posing and solving the death of the curator in his latest thriller, "He Wouldn't Kill Patience." Presiding over the feast of excitements is Sir Henry Merrivale. The author, is a past-master in finding simple solutions to the most baffling crimes and he rarely fails his readers. (Heinemann.) # New Zealand Education

Very attractively published, "Reconstruction in Primary Education" comes from the New Zealand Educational Institute through the Tolan Printing Company. The booklet is a practical survey of the problem with a useful collection of fact#j