BOOKS FOR BOYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18754, 6 January 1923, Page 2

BOOKS FOR BOYS

Wireless is in the air in more senses than one, and few are the boys of to-day who do not desire to experiment in this wonderful system of transmission. Anticipating this'desire Mr Laurence M. Cockaday, with the experience of 15 years’ practical working behind him, has written “Wireless Telephony For All’’ (London:; Herbert Jenkins; Dunedin; Whitcombs mid Tombs; 5s net) in which he describes in every detail how to construct and maintain a modern wireless transmitting and receiving apparatus, the description being aided by 65 diagrams by Mr A. S. Oraig, and other illustrations. The author’s object has been to write “a simple explanation of the working theory of wireless in general and the wireless telephone transmitter and receiver in particular, so that the boy of sixteen and the man of sixty will road it with equal interest and satisfaction.” The details that are given comprise the different types of receiving sets, antenna construction, data on crystal and vacuum tube detectors, and the oaro of apparatus,—in short, everything essential to the installation and keeping in working order of a modem “radiophone.” The book has been specially prepared “to teach the uninitiated the general electrical theory upon which the wireless is founded and show them how their sets work, how Eo- build them ff necessary, how to oaro for them, and how to make repairs when anything goes wrong.” It is just ftie thing to engage the attention of the restless energetic schoolboy home for the holidays. “Hobbies,” edited by Erie Wood {London and Melbourne: Cassell and Company) is the latest issue of “Th© Modem Library,” a series published with the idea of giving something for the boy to do, to know, and to enjoy. “Hobbies” exactly fulfils the idea. Divided into four sections, it deals first with Collecting, including stamps, medals, coins, and crests, etc. Outdoor Hobbies, such as woodcraft, motor cycling, geology and angling, next engage attention; ana thev are followed by “Science as a Hobby 1 ’ with a diversity of those chemical experiments which never fail to charm. The final section in. the book describes “Miscellaneous Hobbies, ’ auch as conjuring, ventriloquism, photography, the microscope and the telescope, tricks with string, poultry keeping, and “How to run a Magazine.” There ore nearly 300 pages in the book, eaoh replete wun' interest, and the boy who secures a copy of this capital compendium may deem himself fortunate indeed.