NOTHING UNDER THE SUN

Southland Times, Issue 23676, 26 November 1938, Page 14

NOTHING UNDER THE SUN

SO YOU THINK IT’S NEW. By W. J. Funk. Angus and Robertson Ltd., Sydney. Price 5/-. For how many of the amenities of modem civilization are we indebted to the ancients? It is an interesting question. W. J. Funk has collected a truly amazing list in his “So You Think It’s New,” and has, moreover, succeeded in avoiding writing a book that might easily have read like a catalogue. Let it be said that it has obviously been written with a view to its entertainment value rather than as any kind of a text book. In fact, some of the statements throw a shadow of suspicion on the whole contents. For instance, Nero is credited with’ inventing the champagne cooler, whereas in fact champagne was not invented until towards the end of the seventeefith century; and we are asked to believe that football was played by the Maoris before the coming of the white man. However, the author has not set out to provide a work of reference, and has succeeded in producing a very readable book. One suspects that his inspiration may be Ripley, though his name is not quoted in the list of authorities of general and special sources. Those who look for amusement or amazement in a book will not be disappointed. This is a book for that idle hour when amusement is desired and criticism suppressed.