The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-20
BUTTE News.
BUTTE PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Best Books Published in
1898.
REVIEW AND CRITICISM
"Mr. Dooley in Peace and War" by
Dunne-"Miss America" by Alex
Black 1.-THE Story OF the
Revolution" by Lodge.
est Books Published in
1898.

Discussing some OF the best books of
1898, Librarian Davies gives very in
teresting review.
Last year the Publishers Weekly re-
corded 4 352 new books and 554 new edi-
tons Of old books as the book produc-
ton of the United States. while SINH
lar figures for England are given by
the Publishers Circular, which records
6.00S new books and 1.5OS new editions
total for the two countries of 10,33S new
books and 2,062 new editions. In 1897
the corresponding figures were 1914
new books and 2,A39 new editions. AS
many books oppear on both lists, it is
apparent that the figures for both
years are somewhat larger than the
fact. Perhaps this excess is offset by
the number Of books Of which neither
publications fails to obtain information,
so that the total may be accepted as
approximately correct.
Considering the figures as they stand,
We notice that instead Cf the large in
crease of book production that we had
locked for from the great output of the
last four months of the year. there is
an actual decrease. and the record for
this country is lower than that of any
previous year since 1894.
In respect to the merit of the books.
in our opinion they will average better
than for some years past though books
of exceptional value are conspicucusy
rare.
1t has been one of the customs of this
library to mention each year a list of
the books which stand out as the best
of the year. This does not mean abso-
lutely best, but relatively so. The
books we mention are those which by
reason of style, contents or popularity
may be considered as best for the
patrons of this library. In such an es-
innate the books which are issued in
January do not have an even show of
consideration with those that appeared
in December. and hence are fresher in
the minds of the people, as well as in
that of the librarian.
We begin with the four books which
we consider to surpass any other books
in their particular lines that have ap-
peared for some years. These books
are Mr.. Dooley in Peace and War"
by Finley Peter Dunno; Miss Amer
lea by Alex Black; THE Story of the
Revolution by Henry Cabot Lodge,
and THE Workers; the West" by Wal
ter A. Wyclsoff. AS Bird Neighbours"
by Nettie Blanchan, which was issued
in 1897 was not added to our collection
till 1898, it properly belongs in the list
so far as our readers are concerned, as
does the other book by the same au-
thor, Birds That Hunt and Are Hunt
ed"
On Montana history the Master of
the Strong Hearts" by Elbridge S.
Brooks, is a juvenile work that re-
counts in an interesting (some would
say in sensationaD manner. the story
of the Inflated Custer expedition, with
more fullness and accuracy than can be
found in any other account.
In biography, nothing in the output
of last year is worthy of mention in
comparison with the excellent Me
his son, or of the fascinating "Audu-
hon and His Journals" which were
both published in 1897 The latter book
deserves special mention to our read
crS as it contains the Missouri river
Journals.
The best biography of the year is un-
QueStionahly the autobiography of Bis
marck. This book is composed in ad-
mrable taste, and is an important con-
trihution to history. It's literary style,
however. is of too little elevation TO
give it the position that the subject de-
serves. The most satisfactory treatise
on the IMAM of blood and IRON is the
very brief "Bismarck and German
Unity by Munroe Smith. as the equal
ly short essay by Mr.. Brice is the best
summary of the career of Mr. Glad
stone.
A very readable and instructive auto
biographical work is Ny Life in Two
Hemispheres," by Sir Charles Gavan
Duffy.
Among books of travel. several are