Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-21
NEW HOLIDAY BOOKS

James is always an event; a close and
careful study Of California features set
forth I'm massive volumes Is an
epoch. THE Wonders of the Colorado
| Desert" (Southern California;, just
| from his pen, says the fullest and the
last word upon this unique corner of
earth so near Los Angeles very DOORS
a., Many days passed i'm the Colorado
desert Southern California, have en-
abled Mr.. James to describe with fas-
cinating vividness and realism all it's
wonders-its skies, its horizon, its sun
rises and sunsets, its weirdness, mys-
| terry, storms, calms. and solitudes; it's
life, both of man and animals; its lofty
! mountains and volcanoes: its wonderful
river, its canyons and passes, it's
streams and its springs.
He has written most entertainingly,
but accurately, of the physical history
OF the desert of its climatoogy, of it's
explorers and pathfinders, of it's plant
life, of its horticultural possibilities, of
Its irrigation. and of the industries of
the aborigines. He has told the story
of Its tragedies and mysteries, of the
old stagecoach days, and of its former
bandits.
Mr.. James has also included an ac-
count of an actual voyage which he re-
Gently made down the overflow of the
Colorado river to the mysterious Salton
sea.
In addition to the full-page illustra-
lions from photographs, the book con-
talns nearly 300 pen-and-ink sketches
by Carl Eytel, who knows the desert
as no other man knows it,
The Wonders of the Colorado Des-
ert, by George Wharton James. Bos-
ton; Little, Brown & Co.
A new style cook book certainly is a
novelty. "The Making Of q House
wife" by Isabel Gordon Curtis. is one.
1t tells a story and at the same time
gives wealth of hints suggestions and
points for the housekeeper which are
invaluable. The oldest mistress of a
home can find information and help in
It, and to the bride 1t ought to be q
treasure.
The Making of a Housewife, by Isabel
Gordon Curtis. New York: Frederick
A Stokes Co.
white Fang" Jack Londons story
of a wolf, is already tolerably familiar
to American readers. 1t is the story of
the training of a savage wolf from the
time when he first hovers around a dog
sledge in the northern wilds through
the long months of his gradual adop-
ton of the ways and habits of man
animals. The talk is interesting and is
told well, in London's typical manner.
London's work would be better if he
did less. and took more pains with his
diction; also If so many hints of
plagiarism did not constantly crop out
about him, one would credit him with
more originality.
White Fang, by Jack London. New
York: The Macmillan Co. Los An
geles: C. C. Parker. $1.50.
Three new school books from the
American Book company, all of seem
ing merit, are Samuel e. Ritchey's
Woodwork" Alvin Danisons "Prac-
teal Zoology" and translation of De
la Bedolliere's La Mere Michel ct de
Son Chat" by Tom Josslyn, jr.
In two good sized volumes, Grant
Allen and George c. Williamson pre-
sent their series, "Cities of Northern
Italy" The first is devoted entirely to
Milan, the second takes up Verona,
Padua, Bologna and Ravenna. Each in
turn is treated of at length, historically.
artistically and atmopherically, and the
books afford one an excellent knowl-
edge of this portion of one of the most
fascinating lands on earth. Many illus
trations help materially in giving one
the best possible views of the places.
The volumes are far above the ordinary
guide book style
Cities of Northern Italy. In two vol
umes, by Grant Allen and George G.
Williamson. Boston: L. c. Page & Co.
Los Angeles: C. c. Parker.
A careful revision of George r. Car
penter's Rhetoric and English Compo-
sition" is now issued from his former
elements" of the same. 1t is designed
for secondary school training.
Rhetoric and English Composition, by
George r. Carpenter. New York: The
Macmillan company.
1t is but natural that the present
great discussion of trusts and, business
methods should appeal to the novelist
in many guises as it already has to the
playwright. Several books have al
ready been written with finance for a
theme; some serious, others purely fic-
tional. There seems to be an earnest
purpose underlying Richard Elliott,
Financier," by George CARING, and to-
those interested in studying social
questions and financial operations
through the medium of novel, it will
appeal strongly. And it is a good,
readble tale, besides.
Richard Elliott, Financier By George
Carlong. Boston, l.. c. Page & Co.
Los Angeles: C. c. Parker.
For stories of Italy, F. Marion Craw-
ford is unequaled. Everyone knows
his style, and those who like his work
rave over it, while those who dislike
II are very A Lazy OIL is
the latest from his prolific pen, and it
differs in no startling way from his
previous volumes-good plot, fair char
acter drawing, plenty of life and color
and atmosphere. 1t compares most
closely to "Cecelia," and is not a sequel
to Fair Margaret" as seems to be UNI
derstood.
A Lady of Rome. BY F. Marion
Crawford. New York; The Macmillan
company. Los Angeles: c. c. Parker;
$3.50.
No better way exists to familiarlze
child with the various types of peo-
pie than to give him the little Cousin"
series, each volume of which treats of
a different type. The latest, of course,
is our Little Panama Cousin" and it
is particularly interesting right now in
view of the hold Panama has on the
United States and the great work this
nation is doing there
Our Little Panama Cousin. By II. Lee
NJ. Pike. Boston: l., c. Page & Co.
Los Angeles; c. c. Parker.
For rather youngish readers is
PUSSY Cat Town." the new and beau