Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-28
Current Literature

presidential Campaigns from Wash
inRton to Roosevelt" by George Murray
Mcdonald. was originally printed m
I the New York Evening Telegram, as a
Quasi historical review of our political ,
development as exhibited In the election
OF our presidents. While not minute in de-
tail this revised book form OF this mono
gruphar is Instructive. The essential parts
Of each presidential contest are given In
a spirit of fairness and much valuable
historical matter Is contained In this vol
ume. Rand, McNally q Co, Is the pub
Usher.
The whispering Man" by Henry Kitch-
ell Webster. IL a detective story Of the
Sherlock Holmes variety. A wellknown
New York physician is found dead in his
office, having been mysteriously muir
dered. Several parties are known to have
seen him within a short time of his
death, and they as we'll as his wife and
son. and several others are in turn sus-
pected OF having committed the crime.
The whispering man, an actor out OF
work. appears at this time TO help solve
the mystery. One quickly suspects that
he is the murderer trying to cover his
tracks and so It proves TO be. OF course
there IL a love story incidentally woven
into the story. d. Appleton & Co.. is the
publisher.
A number OF highly interesting articles
makes the National one of the priced
magazines of the month. The short stories
are of excellent Christmas quality. AT
a MiHtarS Tournament Is a special H.
Illustrated article on the war tactics of
the United States army. There is the open
ing OF a series OF charming travel
sketches by Peter MacQueen. who has Just
returned from a trip through the African
jungles. Mr.. MacQueen has secured In
formation and vivid Illustrations of Mr..
Roosevelts African hunting grounds.
Some of these illustrations are startling.
almost alarming enough to intimidate a
less brave man than President Roosevelt
from counting the terrors and dangers
of African wilds. The first of these ar
ticles appears In the December issue
and will continue in succeeding numbers.
In "An English Honeymoon" Annie II.
Wharton, the author. takes two Of the
characters from italian Days and Ways"
upon a wedding journey through England.
The chapters. In the form Of letters from
Zelphine to Margaret. include interesting
sojourns in Canterbury, Glastonbury, War
wick, the Lake District, and In many Of
the less frequented English hooks and
corners. Published by the J. B.. Lippincott
company.
In The Angel and the Star" Ralph
Conner has turned his pen to a portrayal
Of the birth OF Christ. The reader is trans
ported back 1900 years to the ancient city
OF Bethlehem as the chief shepherd is de-
parting on his nightly watch upon the
plains below. II IL an inspiring story. 1t
reflects the spirit of the times, bringing
a vivid realisation OF the events OF that
wonderful night. The tale itself Is not
long. Around the story OF the first Christ
mas night. the gifted novelist has woven
his fancy in a prose poem of sacred imagi-
nation. The booklet is most handsomely
equipped with colored Illustrations. The
Fleming II. Revell company is the pub
Usher.
'Evangeline.'' by Henry w. Longfellow,
Is one OF our American poems that never
grows old. Each year It is printed in an
attractive gift. form by different authors.
The John w. Luce company has reprinted
this poem for the holiday season on a
paper representing very closely birch
bark, with decorations in keeping. by
Marion L. Peabody. The leaves are not
sewn INTO the cover, Out lACeu III WIN q
small leather thong. The book Is certainly
unusual in appearance, but will be an at
tractive gift book.
A companion volume to the book OF
Irish Toasts." is entitled Scottish
Toasts," compiled by Ivor Ben McIvor. The
book is bound in a cover decorated with
a gay Scotch plaid, and the leaves all have
marginal decorations Of bagpipe and
thistles. The contents are judieious Helec'
lions Of sentiments. toasts and expressions
OF good will, friendship and love, and q
few good stories. for all occasions. TIL
II. NJ. Caldwell company il the publisher.
"'rhe Adopting of Rosa Marie" by Car
roll Watson Rankin, IL a story for girls
written In response to the numerous re-
quests for a sequel to her "Dandelion Cot
tage." II Is especially concerned with the
fortunes Of a little Indian papoose. There
is humor and lively Incidents enough tC
be OF great interest to the very end. Henry
Holt 4 Co. is the publisher.
The Little Brown Brother 10 a tale Of
love and war In the Philippines at the tim,
OF the last Filipino revolt. as told by ar
English war correspondent, Stanley Porta