The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

"A Little Brother of the Rich," by Jo-
 seph Medil Patterson. CReilly & Brit
 ton Co.)
 Mir Joseph Medill Patterson is a rich young man of Chicago, who has been trying for a long time, it is alleged, to keep his name out of the papers. Most. rich people are that way, you know-' more or less. MT. Patterson has been a newspaper man, having been a pub fisher for his father; then he was con- nected with the Chicago city government under the reform movement which didn't reform as rapidly as it should, according to MT. Patterson's ideas, so he quit that. He has now written a book, which his name and money would have brought forth born in notoriety anyway even if the book hadn't been as good as 1t really is. Even if "A Little Brother of the Rich" was written by a rich young chap, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, the book is first-class.
 Advice in regard to a book for read ing is a very ticklish proposition, for ones book is a very personal thing There are so many ways in which a book may strike some or all readers; so that one book which may please you. may not please me and so on. It is all most as bad, this book selecting bust ness, as 1t must be for a wife to pur- chase her husbands cravats-different though, because the husband never wears them, whereas you are likely to at least begin a book, suggested by friend and might through psuedo-duty read it through A beautiful book, to this read CTS way of thinking was suggested by him to discriminating friend. It was a tale, "The Blue Lagoon" charming, clean and delightful, but the children in the story cast upon the island near the Blue Lagoon. did not wear too many clothes. The aforesaid discriminating friend re- turned ''The Blue Lagoon" with the re- port that T did not care for it-too much Adam and Eve business in 1t to suit me-" So you see you never can tell, for it is strictly question of viewpoint, this book business, after all The writer was flat tered recently by an invitation to select the books for a certain prominent book club of ladies. He did his best but, just between us, he never expects to pay enough for his sin of agreeing to do it, or ever expects to hear the last of 1t, for reasons already given.
 Now, "A Little Brother of the Rich" pleased this reader because 1t is a we'll constructed, well written, free discussion of certain conditions, socially speaking. in this country To some people who fear to be criticised for doing what they wish to until society says it is all right, this book will no doubt rub up the wrong way, and, of course. for their own sakes, and particularly those around them, they should, but usually don't, skip such books If conditions are changed in this country, it is going to be partly effected by just such books as this one of MT. Patterson's, just as MT. Sinclair un- doubtedly revolutionized (for a time at IeasD the meat packing industry. Peo- ple decline to read books these days uri- less there is love or heart-interest in them, so that really serious-minded re- formers or well wishers of their country are taking advantage of our love of fic- ton, and driving home to us in the best way possble-namely, fiction-the points they wish to make. "A Little Brother of the Rich" is a very superior book. If one fears to hear read of things we know are happening all the time. if not among. at least near us, then he or she had best let MT. Patterson's book alone: but, if you do care to keep up with things if you wish to know the truth and. Knowing. assist in doing ones best to make things better. then we must read such books. The story deals with the idle rich in college. business and love, or as they call it out west. 'luv." Three prominent characters in the story roorned near each other at Yale; two rich young men, one poor fellow, who decided to