The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-07-10
NEW BOOK NEWS


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speaks to his drummer boy, David
Richie, "that foresight sometimes
comes to men. but never to assemblies.
But 1t Is often given to one man to
work out the salvation Of a people. and
be destroyed for it. In the later
eral Of the Armies OF France, untrue
to his nation, untrue to himself, p
drunkard engaged with reprobates in
futile plotting. the author depicts the
victim Of q Republics ingratitude. Mr..
Churchfll's book will always have
value as an explanation, an extenuation
In some degree Of the downfall of one
of Americas greatest pioneer soldiers.
In the second and third parts of the
volume the readers mind is divided be-
tween following the splendid outline Of
the history Of those stirring times and
the keeping track of the somewhat
struggling plot of the attached ro-
nance. Mr.. Churchill's characters are
less vital than is his picturing of the
events Of his story. His pages are
crowded with vivid and graphic des-
criptions of events that made history
of two continents. No paragraph Is
without enthralling interest. The
reader is swept rapidly from pioneer
cabin to mansion on the tide-water,
to gay New Orleans. to fort and to
new springing towns in the Mississippi
valley. There are some skirmish lines
as 1t were of history that lead off to
meeting of Daniel Boone Andrew Jack
son. Sewer and others of note of those
days Of rich adventure. II Mrs. Tenn
har -,
Nick. Helene vicontesse of the old
regime In France, Antoinette de Gre,
Polly Ann, Tom and the pioneer babies
lack somewhat in impressive individu-
alfty and keen characterization II IL
as well. II David Richie had been as
truly living and lovable as a certain
Henry Esmond the reader would sure
ly miss. in following with breathless
interest the development of his char
acter. an opportunity Of fixing much
history In mind. Almost any reader
will confess to never having rclearn-
ed an fota of history or fixed in mind
perusal of Thackery's pages. Thack-
ery's people are so absorbing in them
selves that we care not where they
lived or when. 1t matters not wheth-
err George was killed at Waterloo or
Cowpens SO ardently, to the exclusion
Of all other interest, do our sympat hies
fly to Amelia-and to Dobbin, who has
another chance. But this is a most
needless state of mind for the read
err of historical romance and not many
writer's ma ybe accused OF throwing
the reader into such a deplorable state
Of unconcern.
The Crossing Is the most important
piece of literature pertaining to the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition which
has appeared. For graphically pictu--
Ing most important era of our Pre-
gress, 1t Is unequalled. 1t should be
read the length and breadth of our
land. 1t is the greatest of Mr. Church.
Ills series of American historical
novels.
The Crisis. By Winston Churchill.
This paper edition of The Crisis Just
issued by the publishers of Mr..
Churchilrs series of American histor- |
cal novels will be welcomed by many
readers who in perusing The Cross
ng VIII desire to renew their en-
oyment of The Crisis" the fourth in |
chronological order of the series. The |
Crisis" has been pronounced the best |
IF host of civil war novels. 1t has
'een more admired and read than al
most any other book of the last de- |
'ade. The romance of Stephen Brice
md Virginia Carrel is enacted against |
he background of the most interest
ng years and events in American his |
DRY. Among other features. the book |
s notable for its portrait of Lincoln, |
is fulness and fairness in presenting |
both sides of the strife. and its varie- |
y and interest. 1t is the fourth in the |
series of novels which have won Mr., |
churchill so eminent place in litera-
ure.
/ Under the Jack-staff, by Chester Bal |
ey Fernald These eleven stories of |
IN irish -war's-man make a roll |
licking book. 1t deals with the ad- |
'entures. many and wild and often vio-
ent. of Sudden Lanigan, "spider-legged |
with his hands dangling at his |
'nees," and Clarence O'Shay "squar-
With his two little handy legs. and the
ook like a milestone. Once you
NOW the two and go with them to
The Lights of Silka," you are sure to |
ellow them through their other expe- /
fences: The registering fun of THE |
'pirit in the Pipe" the comedy and
ragedy of The Transit Of Gloria Mum
w. the unadulterated mirth of "A
lard Road to Andy Coggin's" and
Clarence's Mind" the pathos of THE
Passing of Lannigan," and the inim-
table humor of Clarence at the Ball"
nd the "Lannigan System with Girls"
nd the creepy adventures of "A Yarn
If the Pea-Soup Sea-" OShay and
.annigan are companions to laugh
never at-heartily: TO sigh
Without never ENTHUSIASTICALLY,
nd to leave at least only to return to
mother day.