THE REVIEWER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20041, 2 September 1920, Page 6

THE REVIEWER.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. “ The Outline of History,” hy H. G. Wells. London: George Newnes, Ltd.; Christchurch: Gordon and Gotch.) The .iiitradnctioii opens—“ An_ attempt to tell truly and clearly in one continuous narrative tho whole history of life and mankind as it is known to-day.” Which sounds as if it might result in a monumental work similar to that of Guicciardini once offered as an alternative to tho galleys and refused. But it does not pan out that way. There are plenty of histories of various nations and various periods, and there arc world histories. As Mr Wells points out, universal histories are compilations lacking the unity of presentment obtainable only when tho whole has passed through one mind. “ Universal history is at once something more and something less than the aggregate of tho national histories to •which wo are accustomed.” It is his object to nullify the criticism, that, so far as history is concerned, one “cannot see the wood for the trees.” And never more than to-day has it been obvious that “ there cannot be for the world any common peace and prosperity without common historical ideas.” The history of mankind is not the history of England, plus that of France, plus that of Germany, pine that of Russia ; it is the history of the human race as the inhabitants of earth one Jiumankind not a disconnected or loosely connected mass of separate peoples. It is a colossal task to bring the details into sufficiently brief space to bo a real unity and to he within the limitations of time and energy set to tho reading and education of the average citizen, but Mr AVells is peculiarly qualified for such a task. He is the possessor of keen insight, imaginative power, dispassionate- logic, matter-of-fact directness. That he has few rivals in the art of constructing or reconstructing, those who remember “ The Invisible Man ” will be prepared to admit. The Outline starts at the earliest periods of which there are any records or deductions from records; it deals with ages and.races and nations where tho ordinary history deals with reigns and pedigrees and campaigns. These twelve fortnightly parts take us from tiie dawn of time to the dawn oi Christianity; you are shown what Homo Ncaiidertlialensis was probably like, and there is a reproduction of a second century portrait of Christ from the Roman catacombs. Just as ho described the anatomy of the Invisible Man, so Mr Wells has given flesh to the dry hones of tho framework of the history of the universe. The Outline is to be completed _ in twenty-four parts. The illustrations by Mr J- I'. Horrabin deserve the author’s praise—the .illustrator is not merely an artist but' a collaborator. Mr Welle makes acknowledgment of the able assistance of Sir Ray Lankester, Sir JT. H? Johnston, Professor Gilbert Murray—between whom and_ the by the way, there is ail interesting discussion as to the character and quality of the average Athenian citizen~Mr Ernest Barker, and a. number of other distinguished experts. He himself, however, accepts all responsibility. There are suggestions to aid any who may desire to pursue anv particular topic further, and there will be an extensive index. “ Harmsivorth’s Universal Encyclopedia.” (Christchurch: Messrs Gordon and Gotch. Ltd.) Tho average man < who attempts to keep on anything like understanding terms with the movements -of his world, unless his world is very restricted, is bound to find hat lie wans an encyclopedia, and further, that ho wants such encyclopedia, brought up t 0 date. There are a number of encyclopedias, but there are very nTaiiv new branches of human endeavour and it does not take long to make a publication a back number as a text-hook.. Hero are the first seven parts of an encydopediia which it is proposed to complete lu about fifty fortnightly parts. Edited by Mr J. A. Hammerton. it is announced as an entirely new mid original creation, not merely a refashioning of a previously existing work. There is a list of some four hundred and fifty contributors, and thev are all individuals standing for the highest level of contemporary knowledge in their particur far branches. An effort has been made “to reduce greatly the bulk of that matter in which the dry-as-dusts alone could simulate enthusiasm, but to rescue from it every fact or though'that might be of value to the reader of to-day.” Which merely means that it is impossible- to have everything about everything in any one compilation. Some definite information is given under every heading. Pronunciation is not in most instances dealt with, that being left to the dictionaries. Care is expended on the bibliographies, so that the seeker who wishes to delve deeper is assisted- The encyclopedia—the diphthong is of set purpose omitted and tho reason _ therefor given—opens with short studies on important questions of the day by leaders such as Lords Moulton. Asftwith, Cecil, Viscount Northcliffe, Messrs Barnes and Galsworthy. ' The illustration department is a feature, there being some 14,000 pictures provided.

Blaclde’s Compact Etymological Dictionary (London; Blackio and Son. Ltd.).' A handy little 350 page volume printed in clear type. Etymology is the main feature and no statement as to origins is made that cannot he reasonably regarded as certain upon the highest authority. To exhibit the ■ in-ter-connection of words cross references

are given on a scale not hitherto attempted in a dictionary of the size, adding considerably to the interest from the point of view of the student of etymology. The aim has been to “include all words likely to be met with in reading modern works with claims to be regarded as literature.” Appendices contain terms of special note in modern warfare, lists of abbreviations and contractions, forms of address, principal moneys of the world and weights and measures. “ The Battle of the Marne,” by Georgo Herbert Perris (London: Methuen and Co., Ltd.). Tho detailed story of the great fight in the Marne Valley, the fight that scaled the doom of the Hohenzollerns’ attempt at world conquest, as the great fight in the same valley fourteen and a naif centuries before sealed Attila’s similar attempt. Mr Perris was correspondent with the French armies throughout the war and had unique opportunities of discussing tho Marne Battle, the greatest of historic battles with combatants of all ranks and arms. Tho errors of tho Allied as well ns of the German command are shown. The reverses at the outset were due '“not only to brutal German strength, hut to- had information, bad judgment, bad organisation, ill-considered strategy and reckless tactics on the side of the Allies.” After showing this Mr Perris follows the “marvellous rally of will and genius by which these errors were redeemed.” There is a line pen picture of Joffre, and a. statement of the problems ho had to solve and how he solved them. The fighting in retreat, how the stand of French’s band of heroes enabled Maunoury to complete the formation of the Sixth Army in the West, the rise of Foch, the dilemma of Von Kluck—whose position is made clear—the working out of Joffre’s mas-ter-idea, a description of the battlefield, a list of tho forces engaged and their disposition, these are the subjects to which Mr Perris gives attention. The conclusion come to hy Mr Perris is that the Battle of the Marne “ would have yielded a completer, cheaper and speedier victory if t-ho rectangular movement of tho French Sixth and the British Armies had been more exactly designed and timed to a strict simultaneity. Perhaps the British were slow in getting under way; it- is miyoh more certain that Gallieni was precipitate.” It must not be understood that tho critic adopts the easy after-tho-game attitude of finding fault right and left; on the contrary lie gives all credit to the men responsible for .doing their best; Gallieni’s precipitancy and tho British slowness. were traceable to causes over which under the circumstances they had no control. The summing up is “ the German conspiracy failed on the Marne not by any partial fault or executive error but by the logic of its most essential characteristic ... s dependence upon a rigid mechanism and the inability of its authors to adust it to unexpected circumstances. The Marno was a signal triumph for Right won . . . by superior intelligence and will ... all the heroic episodes of our history pale before it. Tho victory of the Marne sealed the brotherhood of France and England.” Propaganda is at work trying to use the Polish trouble as a means of disturbing that brotherhood; the logic of facts will deal with that attempt. This is a valuable book for the student; there is a list of books dealing with the Marne and there are twelve maps showing the disposition of tho forces at various times.