The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
Literary Lights and ShadohS
BY S. MAYS BALL

Adelaide" in real life, and Billy San ders, "The Bishop, ,''-wel, everybody knows who he was.
 Get "rhe Bishop and the Boogerman" and with 1t try to recall the fact that cherries are ripe; that the war is over, and particularly place in your adding machine to compute the undeniable fact that if God hates anything, which is more than doubtful, He has no use at any rate for d Quitter or a Kicker. Yer bum sap.
 "Jack Lorimer's Holidays" By Vim
 standish. (L. c. Page & Co)
 It Is a good thing for young people, and older ones as well. that the days have passed when the only interesting books thought thrilling enough to en- thuse a boy were the blood-and-thunder productions of a few years ago.
 Such books as Jack Lorimer's' series, of which "JacN Lorimer's Holidays is the latest, are now welcomed by the boys of this country as are the Little Colonel' series by the young girls.
 Jack Lorimer is the true type of the living, breathing, everyday, manly, ath- letic school boy and in this new book the author takes Jack and his compan- ions of the Millvale school for a delight fully holiday season in camp. Those youngsters who have read Jack Lori mer's Champions will recall that this [ camping trip was promised to the base ballites. There Is good clean adventure all through the book to keep the interest alive, such as boxing, wheeling, motor ! ing, horse racing, playing jokes and best of all, keeping away from the doctors ! office.
 Jack Lorimer" is well worth reading about-at school, in camp, or wherever he is put. Next year we are told that Jack will be a senior and we are prom ised story on that experience. The book is handsomely produced and well illustrated.
 'Banzai," by Parabellum. CThe Baker & Taylor Co.,
 This book, published first in Germany has awakened so great a stir there that 2S0.O0O copies have been sold during the past year.
 That the Pacific ocean may become in truth. the Peaceful ocean, and never resound to the clash of American arms, is the devout wish of one who believes implcty-with Moltke in the old proverb "si wis pacem, para bellum'-if you wish for peace, prepare for war" In the foreword 1t is explained by the author of this book that the serious pur- pose of the story Is to awaken America to any danger which might threaten her from the yellow peril" We have grown so accustomed to laughing at such Cas- sandras as MT. Richmond Pearson Hobson (of the beautiful mouth) that we really do not believe tsat any Japs or anything else could bother us. But those people who have seriously thought over the mat ter know that preparations should be made in the way of ships, men and arms to protect this country from anything, be it Japs or whatnots, which may need a thrashing.
 The book "Banzai' deals with war which is supposed to take place In 1909 between Japan and the United States Leaving out any prophecy or serious in- tent of this author, who seems unwilling to use his own name in sending forth the book, there has not been book sent forth in many a day that will hold the interest so thoroughly as will this one. You will feel that the author not only knows what he is writing about, but he | knows how to tell it in a thrilling way. | The authors familiarity with naval and army movements( his technical knowledge so well handled on all subjects, simply contribute to make this one of the most interesting books published in many a long day.
 Japan didn't attack the Philippines, as most of our high brows in Congress tell us she would in case of war. Japan simply armed the natives, formed a block
 
 pines to themselves.
 The real operations began on the Pa cifc coast without warning. This was ar ranged by the handling of the so-called coolies who have been coming into this country for years, whereas they were really trained soldiers who accepted all kinds of work in the United States until the time came for the war. Both parts of the Pacific fleet were destroyed in the Of IaIo the admirals really knew that war had been declared. The first they knew of a war, the cables and all, wireless ma chinery having been put out of business, was when maneuvering in a sham sea battle Japan's fleet, in both instances opened fire on them and before they could reply the battle was practically over.
 Japan got footing on and later real possession of the Pacific coast, nearly up to the Rocky mountains It isn't really fair to the prospective reader to tell just how all this happened. A great battle was fought in the Blue mountains and the United States was the loser. It looked mighty bad for this country for a long time and up to the close of the book, when the yellow periol was ayerted, this author harps upon the very fact he wishes to make clear, which is our actual un- prepared condition of being able to resist 
 ing all the spFead-eagle speeches and ridi- cule of our MT. Hobson, whenever he opens his mouth, which has been called pretty by those who ought to know.
 This book, too, will strike the reader as having been written by an author who knows his business. No one seems to know just who "Parabellum' Is, and 1t doesn't really make much matter who he is. But the book, written by an author one would call an authority, dealing as IL does with knowledge born of study, the details from actual visits one might say to the very parts of the country dis cussed, will thrill the reader, and, best of all, make him stop and think, which should be. If it isn't the end of all books. serious or otherwise.
 There are not many books that will cause the reader i'm q day or two after ward to flash his mind back to certain passages of it. "Banyai will, aud if you want thoroughly interesting book, "Banzai," and think over all what the author tells remarkably well.
 "Flower of the Dusk" by Myrtle Reed
 e.. F. Putnams Sons.)
 Everybody who has been to Chattanooga knows the name of Reed The author of "Flower of the Dusk was formerly Of Chattanooga and her name is Reed.
 This book is practically written around what Barbara. one of the lovely women therein, says:
 eve don't forgive enough we don't that's all that wrong with the world tt,,,a ottexh for h