WANGANUI PUBLIC LIBRARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 56, 8 March 1939, Page 3

WANGANUI PUBLIC LIBRARY

LAST WEEK’S ACCESSIONS "The Mediterranean in Politics,” by Elizabeth Monroe, which is one of the latest additions to the Wanganui Public Library, breaks new ground in identifying and describing the vital interests in the Mediterranean, upon whose defence England, France and Italy expend so much energy and thought. It is not so much a history as a survey of the motives which impel Great Britain to strengthen Malta and lend money to Turkey, or Italy to broadcast in Greek and to intervene in Spain, etc., etc. This book gives an understanding of the events which are disturbing our peace of mind from day to day. "Revue,” by Beverley Nichols, reveals once again the versatility of the author. He knows intimately the world of the theatre and in this novel he enables us to slip through the stage-door to see something of the, difficulties of putting on a West End' show. "Rabble in Arms,” by Kenneth Roberts, was the . first choice of The Times Literary Supplement for the week ending danury 7. Their review states that it is surely a deepening sense of nationhood which accounts for the epic strain in so many American historical novels at the present time. This novel, by the author of North-west Passage, ' is an accomplished and finely tempered work, covering the War of Independence, and it illuminates the present as wen as the past. "The Finance of British Government 1920-1936,” by Ursula K. Hicks, describes the great extension of Government influence on the economic system which has occurred since the war, an extension which necessitates a much wider treatment of the economic aspect of public finance than has been customary. The book is critical and suggestive. "Some Australians Take Stock,' edited by J. C. G. Kevin, is a symposium by a number of Australian graduates who have been connecteu with the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Tasmania. They have attempted to deal with what are thought to be the important aspects of Australian politico-economic relations. They have also covered more general subjects which bear directly upon Australian cultural development. “Britain in Spain,” by “The Unknown Diplomat,” reveals Britain’s part in the Spanish tragedy. This is the only complete account of the light which is being waged in London against the Spanish Republic. This book answers vital questions. There is an old Spanish proverb "When Spain moves the world trembles.’ For over two years now Spain has aroused the anxiety and the fear of the world. The author has a profound knowledge of European affairs so this is an important contribution to an understanding of causes and currents of the Spanish War. The accessions are: — Fiction. “High Heaven,” Anne Duffield; “The Stoneware Monkey,” R. A. Freeman; “Ghost Canyon,” Barry Lynd; “Drop to His Death,' J. Rhode and Carter Dickson; “Sundown,” J. R. Winslow; “Storm Canvas,” E. Laurie Long; "Maginot Line Murder,” Bernard Newman; "Revue,” Beverley Nichols; "The Injured Lover,”' Mrs. B. Lowndes; “Private Duty,” Faith Baldwin; "Rabble in Arms,” Kenneth Roberts. Non-Fiction.—"The Mediterranean in Politics,” Elizabeth Monroe;; “The Balkan States,” Royal Institute of International Affairs; “Marks and Remarks,” Thomas Fieldon; “The Finance of British Government 19201936,” Ursula Hicks; "Social and Economic History of Germany from William II to Hitler, 1888-1938,” W. F. Bruck; Seven Volumes of the Standard Edition of the Plays of Bernard Shaw; "Some Australians Take Stock.” J. C. G. Kevin; "Britain, in Spain,' “The Unknown Diplomat.”