Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-21
BOOK NEWS

If there was a deep motive for Jack
London's Before Adam" it was proba-
bly, that bold writer's desire to stimu-
late interest in the theory of evolution.
AS for supporting the theory the book
will not achieve great deal. Scientists
will not devote much time to an author
who jumps to such conclusions as does
London. IL few years ago an author
turned out book which dwelt with a
period ante-dating the Aryan races, in
which he vividly depicted the life OF
people who had just come down from
the trees and were dwelling in caves
That book was founded largely on the
studies scientists had made of the great
Kitchen Middens found along ancient
waterways of that part of the world,
now known as Europe. The book was
widely adopted as text book in schools
as having an educational value. BE
fore Adam" will probably gain as great
a popularity in that direction, for,
while the story is hardly as plausible
and less scientific, it is much more en-
tertaining and is written in strong,
smooth running narrative style. The
California authors story of Big Tooth
will fascinate boys the world over.
Where is the boy who will not revel
in the adventures Of Lop Ear and his
chum, who will not shudder at the
thought of Red Eye, the "atavism"
Then, too, there is map which Is a
delight to the adventurous minded
youth. The illustrations are mostly
good, thought some of the line draw
ing might have been omitted without
being missed by timid readers. A
highly amusing story which holds in
terest to the end.
Before Adam. By Jack London, New
York: The Macmillan company. Los
Angeles: Cunningham, Curtiss &
Welch company.
The woodland adventures of a boy
pioneer, embraced in an excellent vol
ume under the title Forest Friends, y
by John Madden, M. D., will interest
every boy or girl who has the love OF
the wild in his or her soul. 1t tells
many facts about the common denizens
of the forest in way a youngster can
understand, and should not only help
them to understand and know the wild
animals and birds about him, but
should inbred a respect and love for
nature which will last all through life
Forest Friends. by John Madden
Chicago: A. c. McClurg & Co.
Modern Penmanship." by c. L. Rick
etts and G. F. Herhold. consists of a
thoroughly practical system Of instruc-
tion in the photographic art, with les
sons in modern artistic and commercial
lettering. Various styles of alphabets
are given: Script, German Text, Old
English, Italic, Round Hand" "Modi-
fled Round Hand" and vertical forms
Their practical application as exempli-
fed in the making of diplomas, resolu-
tions, card writing, engrossing, mark
ing and correspondence is also demon
started. Studies in writing, positions
for holding pen, movement exercises
forms for letters, visiting cards, in
Vitations, and many other features are
included in this valuable work.
Modern Penmanship, by c. L. Rick
etts and G. F. Herhold. Chicago: Lair6
& Lee.
From ]. S. Ogilvie Publishing com
pany of New York comes valuable
little book. "Donts for Everybody
which everybody should have. If the!
wish to know Just what the propel
thing Is TO do in almost every position
in life. II contains don'ts for bache.
lors and old maids, parents, children
buyers, employers, authors, lega
don'ts. etiquette don'ts, beauty don'ts
don'ts on marriage, both for men anC
maids, and a host OF others, any ont
of which is worth 25 cents, which Il
the price of the whole book.
Don'ts for Everybody. BY Frederick
Reddale, New York. j. S. Ogilvie Pub
fishing company.
"The Ministry of David Baldwin" by
Henry Thomas Colestock, will un'
doubtedly arouse interest on all sides
but especially among clergymen anC
their churches. 1t deals with the con
stant conflict between the old and the
new beliefs In regard to the inspiration
Of the Bible, evolution, and higher
criticism. The story itself, however II
simply told, and seems to rest upoT
real experience. David Baldwin, &
young minister fresh from theological
seminary ana imbued with many ad'