The National tribune., 1886-08-05
RECENT LITERATURE.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATE
New York and Chicago: A s. Barnes x 20.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
New York and Chicago; A. 5. Barnes * Co.
This is the history which has been condemned
by resolutions of some Grand Army Posts, as
being "dislOyal.D For this reason we have
given the book very careful examination.
There is certainly nothing approaching dis
loyalty" in the text. There is not syllable
in approval or justification of the mistaken
cause for which the Confederates fought. They
are given credit for bravery and gallant deeds,
and this no one will deny them. He depre-
ciates his own courage who belittles that OF his
foe 1t is not difficult, however, TO understand
why old soldiers should critieise two full-page
illustrations, on pages 235 aud 90. The first
presents as Naval Heroes of the Civil War"
Farragut, Foote and Porter, Union officers, and
Buchanan. Mitchell, and the pirate Semmes, of
the Confederate navy. The other groups as
Military Heroes of the Civil War" Grant,
Sheridan and Sherman, and Lee, Jackson and
Johnston. Purely from the standpoint OF
soldier all are heroes" and yet Union vet
eran may be pardoned for feeling that they
should not appear together, with nothing TO
indicate TO a stranger whether they won their
renown fighting TO defend the Government or
TO destroy il. We think it would have been
better TO give them separately, grouping the
Union heroes" on one page aud the Confed-
crates on another. Aside from this the book,
as a concise and clear compilation OF all the
leading facts in American history, presented in
a most pleasing and attractive FORM is worthy
Of all praise. 1t was written by a Uuion sol
der and, as we have already said, the matter
contains nothing out Of harmony with the
most pure and exalted patriotism. The good
or bad taste Of the illustrations which we have
called in question is no doubt largely matter
of opinion, possibly of sentiment. but nosQne
| can wonder at the feeling shown by old Union
1 soldiers who have examined this book. The
Il. Il f0raf
The Book Bayer.-Scribner's dainty and usefu
little Summary OF American and Foreign
Literature for August is as full OF interest a
| ever
BAD TO BEAT. A Novel. BY Hawley Smart
Chicago; Rand, Mentally Co.
An English story. in which several of tn
leading characters fight the Sepoys in India
IL is full of war and love and romance. and il
perusal will furnish a day Of pleasant enter
tainment.
THE CASE OF REUBEN MALACHI BY II
Sutherland Edwards. Chicago; Rand, McNal
& Co.
A story Of murder and the singular train 0
circumstances by which the murderer was dis
covered and an innocent man who was trie
for the crime was acquitted.
The Magazines.
The Maga=ine Of Americdn History for Angus
is full of excellent matter. Its war papers ar
Cedar Mountain" No. III, by Alfred E. Lee
AT the Death Angle" (Spottsylyania), b.
Charles A. Patch; and Negro Slaves Durin
the Civil War" by Col. Charles Jones. jr. TIL
last mentioned article is especially valuabl
and interesting.
The Forum for August mo. 6. VOL u full
maintains the high reputation which this nel
magazine has already established. 1t contain
10 able papers on timely topics, the list of al
thors including some Of the best-known writer
! The Forum has no rival in its particular feel,
and is in every respect worthy Of its cords
reception by the reading world
, Oglpie's Popular Reading, No. 80, has an ur
usually pretty frontispiece, representing III
yacht Pandora in New York Bay. ready TO sta
; on her Polar voyage. The reading matter i
4 as customary, good in quality and great /
quantity.
. We have from the Franklin News Compan,
Y Philadelphia, Briean's Building Plans Il
Q Practical Low-cost Houses" IL contains larp
I number OF plans for houses and other building
g These plans are not visionary. but purely pra
: tical. aud therein lies their value. The woT
: only costs 20 cents, and is worth many tim,
4 the money.
We have received Charles C. Ford's New
r paper Manual" published at New Haven, Com
+. II embOdies In handy and condensed form il
formation Of practical help 10 advertisers, wit
> a view of enabling them 10 select neHspape
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