The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-17


 the champion in any line of endeavor reached the top and when the leader has the gift of actually showing oth- CTS how to get there it is doubly ln- teresting. Margaret B. owen has done this in her remarkable book, "The Secret of Typewriting Speed rms gifted woman attracted the worlds at- tention by setting new standard for typewriting speed. Three times she has won the worlds typewriting speed championship The last time by writ ing 1S7 words minute for an hour which means striking her keys l2 times every second and means writ ing faster than the ordinary person can dictate Unseifishly, she has given in this book the original methods which she followed to develop thls wonderful speed.
 To the million men and women who earn their livelihood in the steno- graphic profession this book comes as a personal message of extraordinary importance and everyone of them owe it to themselves to read the book. To them it will be a powerful inspira- tion and to those about to take up typewriting it hopefully opens wide the door of opportunity. Even the bus mess or professional man who oper- ates the typewriter only occasionally for personal use will find this book exceedingly helpful Miss Owen has given invaluable information to ev- erybody in any way interested in typewriting; giving them the full ben eft of the years of hard, thorough and thoughtful training for the dis tinctive position she holds in the busi- ness world
 This is more than book on speed, for it covers the whole subject of typewriting-eve that the stem ographer needs to Know concerning the use and care of the machine and her other office duties All business men will be enthusiastic over this helpful book because it leads to ac- curacy and efficiency. In fact, Miss Owen is unwilling to consider speed detached from accuracy. The book tells how to overcome bad habits in typing, how to write a perfect let ter, how to save lost motion, and while telling about the care of the typing machine it also tells the stem ographer how to care for the human machine and acquire the best health for business success.
 Such complete guide on typewrit- ing at a reasonable price has long been needed and it is fortunate that the Queen of the Keys" was willing to furnish 1t. Miss Owen is the first winner of an international speed con- test to write book on general type writing. Her book has the clear thought action that might be expected from person who can write 13I words minute for an hour. Some writers would need several volumes in which to tell what she has told in one.
 In these days when the nation needs the highest possible efficiency from every man and woman, it is the duty of every business office in the land to become acquainted with the Owen method of typewriting described in this book. And no stenographer can afford not to read the book, for 1t makes the work of typing easier as well as speedier. It shows how to com- pleteIy master the typewriter.
 FLOW TO LIVE AT THE FRONT" By Hector MacQuarrie, A. B. Cantab.
 second lieutenant royal field artil
 lery. Illustra tions. J. B. Lippincott
 company, publishers, Philadelphia.
 A book to put in the hands of the man who is going to France is this spontaneous message regarding the in formal matters of life at the front written particularly for his new al- lies by an English army officer. The author believes that in war both mans body and soul are in danger; the body can to a degree be taken care of by one who knows how to be careful and believes in the importance of fighting for his country instead of dying for it; the soul may be be- snlirched by the atmosphere of killing, too often is besmirched, but it will be to an extent insured by one who holds the point of view so lucidly and sincerely presented by Lieutenant Mac- Quarrie.
 It is personal talk to the Amer ican soldier, beginning with the first weeks in the training camp during which tlle man will first come in com tact with the discipline and the need of fitting into the great machine. We then go to the front and for the American's benefit the author dissects in keen, interesting manner the characters of the Tommy, the poilu. the French people whom one meets behind the lines and the English as a whole that the soldier men may feel at home whether he be in the midst of fights or on leave. The author does not bother to describe battles nor atrocities nor any of those things which have been presented in newspa- pers, books and on the screen so often, but he takes up the points that have not been touched regarding the sol dier's life and gives straight tips that are certain to be of value.
 Venereal disease is a menace in the armies and the author writes with sin cerity of the practical betrayal Of trust that certain soldiers have exhib- ited in contracting a disease that makes them burden to instead of q support of their country. Shells, gas and bayonets make war an ugly enough business and MacQuarrie' S ideals will convince a man that he is a rotter who goes to the front to fight for his country and returns with a curse for his descendants and fellows.
 The author is lover of horses and in confessing that he is unable to give tips to the horse, he gives many to the men who take care of them in the artillery and cavalry as he makes the point that a great many more horses die of diseases on the battle field than of shell or bullet wounds. He is not afraid of being religious in a book for young American men and he tells of the part the Bible and re- ligious services play at the front and the facts that many men on the pat tie field are saved in times of peril by the courage of their belief not only in their cause but in their God
 It is an informal book but one with a tremendous drive in the right direc- tion.
 THE ADVENTURES OF THE GREY
 FUR FAMILY"
 By Vera Nyce Pictured by Helene
 Nyce. J. B. Lippincott company, pub-
 fishers, Philadelphia
 "Once upon time-don't you Just