The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
Brief Reviews of New Books

The scene of The White River
Rat by Lewis B. Miller, is laid in
the Mississippi valley more than half
century ago, when the river steamer,
fatbosts and RATS. were the principal
means OF communication throughout
that section. The country was new
and scantily settled. and the mighty
river was not only the main highway
on which people had 10 travel. but II
also sheltered swarms Of pirates ana
other lawless folk, whose activities,
together with the perils of storm and
food, often tried the courage and en-
durance OF the voyager. The author
does not depend upon superhuman
feats or frnproba bic events. finding the
stern realities Of the time replete with
excitement and adventure IL Is, as
described the largely true story or
logging trip into the flooded forests OF
Arkansas. followed by an eventful raft
voyage down the great river TO New
orleans. Dana, Estes Co, Boston;
s1.50)
Miss Edna Lyman's book on Story
Telling: What TO tell and How TO tell
il" is a plea for the revival OF the lost
art Of the trOubadOur- The author is
a teacher and librarian OF experience
and for q number Of years has prac-
tfced the art OF story telling. She has
excellent udgment. as is proven by the
ISIS End SUGGESTIONS. and tells clearly
why some stories are 10 be read and
Others told. She offers useful hints 70
those who wish 10 learn this art and
her book viii be Of much value. The
little volume tells many interesting
stories. "a. C. McClurg & Co, Chicago;
IS cents)
The Annals Of Ann" is a diary kept
hv.a sharp little kid Of twelve. Kate
Trirable Sharber is responsible for the
book and the wisdom which drops
from the child's pen is Favored by the
ir+cllfeeuce Of the grown person who
,,,felde ft The cynical observations and
erfa-ra rnrnatic utterances of Ann are
very unchildiike and her occasional
neriods Of righteousness appear TO be
anectatfons. one does not often find
p child with any Of the characteristlcs
Of Ann and after mature oeliberatlon
one Is very glad Of IT, Ihere are a
number OF other characters IN the book,
some of them well drawn and Of real
interest. There are too many love
stories. or perhaps il Is the too great
wisdom Of Ann in describing them
that bores US. Nanny Lou is a real
southern ~darky" and one Of the most
anusine characters. (Bobbs-Merrill &
Co, Indianapolis Sl.5o.)
some years ai5D M . $1,000
wife OF the eminent scientist and
writer. delivered some lectures on
lanes Hinton, Neitzsche and Edward
Carpenter These are now incorporated
IA a book under the title Three Mod
ern Seers." and rarely has ANYTHING on
the subject so interesting as this come
the way OF the receiver. The writer,
whose style is clear and judgment
sane and free from all hysteria, de-
votes herself to an Interpretation Of
these three men and their teachings,
but occasionally her own opinions
creep through with II Is TO be hoped
q half promise for more from her pen
Iater. IN her preface she speaks Of the
three men thus. Hinton, a veritabie
non Ouixote OF the newer morality.
,zeifzsche. a modern Lucifer OF the in
tellect. and Carpenter child or the
Spirit, all meet on the common ground
81 striving toward perfection Of In
dividuaI character as the chief factor
in social progress. This exposition
Of the men and their theories IS the
clearesf yet written on the subject.
(ATftchell Kennerley, New York; S1.25)
..The Rout Of the Foreigner is the
title OF a splendid historical novel for
children by Guiielma Zollnger. The
scene is set in England in 1928, during
the regency Of the earl OF Pembroke
for the little King Henry III The
tale has TO do with the family Of Sir
Thomas de Berners. in Bidforshire, and
I The trouble they had with Fakes de
Rrealtfe and his chief agent the wicked
Cilbert de- Hexham. The tale itself is
Interesting, full OF excitement and we
get acquainted with some strong and
patriotic characters. It is me picture
OF life ia England during those trouble
some times and will be read with
pfHssure by ali. "A. c. McCLurg Co.,
Cideago; -$1.5o)
~The Zodiac Birthday Book is the
title Of Beatrice Baxter Ruy's Christ
mas offering. II is a large volume,
showily printed and bound with deco
rations from signs Of the zodiac printed