The age-herald., 1898-12-04
'BOOK GOSSIP 9Ez4 sE1 DECEMBER WEEK


 @=====s ly caused a good deal of comment She is now writing q series of letters for the Chronicle.
 A certain publisher states that, judging by orders received, it is to be the best sea- l son for at least five years. The spring book, he says, sold very well in spite of the war, and are still selling, and the orders given for books now publishing and to be issued in few weeks are very large. Both the booksellers and the jobbers all over the country seem very confident
 Theodore Roosevelts recent prominence as warrior and politician has somewhat overshadowed his fame as a writer, yet, it was as an author that he first received a general introduction to the American pub lie His first literary work was begun while he was at Harvard and finished soon afterward when he was not more than 24 years of age; 1t was entitled, ''The Naval War of 1872; or, The History of the United States Navy During the Last War With Great Britain" This work was well re- ceived and was considered of great value. In 1888 Col. Roosevelt published volume on western subjects, Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail and in 1893 was issued "The Wilderness Hunters" These volumes were very appropriately illustrated by Frederick Remington Frost and others, and it is said that few hunting clubs in this country and abroad are without them. Another histor- ical book, "The Life of Thomas H. Ben- ton," followed, and then in 1889 ''The Win ming of the Vest" which the author con- sfders his magnum opus. was published This book was a labor of love- and during his researches the author had access to pa- perss preserved in Canada which enabled him to give for the first time the British and Indian side of inc fQhf- ing. Hero Tales from American History next followed. His last contribution to lit- erature was printed last year and is entitl d American Ideals and Other Essays" In one of his books he said. "as civilized peo- pie we desire peace, but the only peace worth having is obtained by instant readi- ness to fight when wronged." His recent military career proves that the indomitable governor of New York lives up to his con- victions.
 The Christmas Century will contain the opening chapters of Personal Narrative of the Sinking of the Merrimac," by Lieut.. Hobson. It will appear in three numbers, the whole story including his experiences in Spanish prisons. This announcement is of special interest to Alabamians.
 Henry Van Dyke is Presbyterian clergy man of New York City, and @ writer of poems and stories of high literary value. '"The Last Word" is Dr. Van Dykes latest published work. It Is a Christmas legend of long ago. The author Is particularly hap py in his Christmas stories; nowhere else do the poetry, the deep religious feeling and the literary charm of his work show them- selves more prominently.
 
 "Great Words From Great Americans" edited by MT. Paul Leicester Paul, is pretty volume, containing the fundamental documents of our constitutional history, be- sides the most famous addresses of Wash ington and Lincoln.
 .Under Dewey at Manila; or, The War Fortunes of a Castaway," is destined to have a tremendous sale. The story is re- plete with biography and historical infor- nation, all so cleverly introduced that the thread of the story is not dropped for moment.
 ."The Borderland of Society," is by Charles Belmont Davis brother of Richard Hard ing Davis. MT Davis makes in this volume his first appearance in book form, although readers of Harper's and The Century will remember clever stories from his pen.
 Scribners Sons announce "The War of 189S," by Richard Harding Davis. The re- liable and picturesque work of this popular young writer, dealing with the deeply in- teresting events of the recent war, is sure to be a great success. Readers. young and old, have thoroughly enjoyed his work it was printed serially in the magazine.
 PAUL PRY.