The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-24
NEW BOOKS.

The Building of a Nation: The Growth,
Present Condition and Resources OF the
United States, with a Forecast OF the
Future" By Henry Gannett, chief ge-
ographer of the United States geological
survey and of the Tenth and Eleventh
censuses. Illustrated with maps. charts
and diagrams. New York: The Henry t.
Thomas Company. Syo. S.5o. Sold by
subscription
Two things at once strike the reader Of
this really remarkable book: First, the
vast range of the facts presented concern
ing the national growth and life; and.
next, the brilliant clearness of the view
which the writer's mastery of the subject
gives, as If through the perfect lens of a
fine fieldglass.
The contents include chapters on the ma
tion's physical basis and resources; on its
governmental system. and the working OF
each department, an outline history OF
every state and territory. brief explanation
OF a complete analysis of the population
according TO race. sex, education, occupa-
lions. wealth, religion health-also ac-
cording TO its distribution geographically,
and its location in cities or in rural dis
tricts: portrayal of the growth and con-
dition OF agriculture, manufactures. min
eral industries transportation of all kinds,
and the public facilities for communica-
ton by mail. telegraph and telephone: to-
gether with survey OF the commercial
and financial development OF the nation.
The field is truly one OF vast extent, and
IL is a marvel that in this one volume of
handy size 1T has been brought SO clearly
under the readers view. To have read the
book carefully is to have mastered an ele-
mentary education in economics. The
large number of graphic charts ana dia-
grams printed in colors. which plentifully
illustrate the text, make IL unique among
compends of the sort, and add immeasur-
ably to its clearness and effectiveness. IT
Is scarcely too much TO say that without
these graphic aids il would be impossible
to cover so broad fisid with clearness in
SO compact q form.
The writer IS evidently master of his
subject. not merely in the sense that he is
expert as a statistician from his long ex-
perience in charge of the statistical work
of the United States government, but is
equally expert, so TO speak, in the journal
istic skill with which he presents the feat
ures of most real significance in a way to
win and hold general popular interest.
The book is one which viii be read with
profit by all who wish TO have good reason
for the patriotic faith that Is in them.
"Successward: a Young Mans Book for
Young Men, By Edward W. Box. editor
OF the Ladies' Home Journal. ls6 pages.
limo. decorated cloth. gilt top. 81. Pub
lished by Fleming III. Reven Company,
New York. Chicago, Toronto.
In his successful magazine articles for
pyoung men Mr.. Box has shown that he
understands young men as few writer's do.
and In this book he demonstrates the fact
beyond doubt. He has done his work
well. He has produced what we have long
needed-a comnon-sense book for young
men, written by young man. All the Inn
portant phases of a young mans life are
covered here. Mr.. Bok's first chapter on
the great essential of all success, "A Cor
rect knowledge of Ones Self and how
10 obtain that knowledge. is excellent, while
his second chapter on What Really Is
Success - viii answer a question that
thousands of young men are asking.