The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-08

1 prophecy of universal health, wealth and happiness-and society has been improved | from time to time mainly by just such books as this Stimulating and restfuI deep or light as you wish, full of new angles of view, the volume may be taken with any degree of seriousness from a midsummer nights dream to the pro- foundest of prophecies. It is sexless and cr eedless. nonracial and nonpolitical, and absolutely without religious bias of any l kind.
 THE BOOK OF TRUTHS AND FACTS"
 By Fritz Won Frantzlus. (Published at No. 122 South LaSale Street, Chicago). In the Book of Truths and Facts Fritz Won Frantzius, the author, has made some interesting statements; facts which are interesting to Americans; facts which are interesting to Germans; facts which are interesting to Englishmen, and facts which every man, woman and child of any creed, color or race might get val uable information from.
 ''The Book of Truths and Facts" is an instructive book and would be an addition to any library, whether public or pri- vate, it touches upon all the big argu- ments of the day and throws a new light on many old-time superstitions and ideas"
 THE GOLDEN BLIGHT" By George Allen England. The H. K. Fly company, publishers, 26S Fifth Ave- nue, New York.
 The other day an old, withered. ghost of man, sat in his magnificent offices out in one of Ohio's largest cities and watched the stock ticker pulsing away And as he drew the tape through his fin gers he realized that his holdings in one of Americas largest corporations had made him close to s3OOO0Oo
 Not bad for days work considering the fact that the stock in question had only made an advance of points.
 At the same time there were little ba- bies in New York city going hungry for the want of milk, because the big dis tributors said they were unable to pay the farmer half cent more per quart for his product. There was not a city or town in the entire country without it's quota of idle men, beating the pavements, begging for enough to keep body and soul together. And in Europe a war that cannot possibly be worth while devoured it's daily fill of humanity.
 Now can you imagine man, scientist philosopher, wish and power ful enough to end all of this strife-to make a man realize that he is his broth er's keeper-to make war impossible, and misery thing of the past?
 This is the story of such a man. It is filled with determination. brave deedss accomplishment and mystery. If fiction and fact still have the power to thrill you it is here. You will want the door locked and the windows closed before you finish it.
 "DABNEY TODDo
 By Frank N. Westcott Illustrated by
 NJ. V. Hunter. The H. K. Fly com-
 pany, publishers, No. 263 Fifth avenue,
 New York
 Like his brother, Edward Moves West colt, who wrote David Harum," the author of 'Hepsey Burke" hao lived in the picturesque flake country of New York state. Unhappily both brothers must be spoken of in the past tense Edward N. Westcott died while his first and only work of fiction was going through the press. Frank lived to see the successful publication of "Hepsey Burke.' when death called him also. "Dabney Todd is. thus his bequest to large circle of readers whose affection he won It's wealth of sympathy, it's faithful char acterizations, and it's quaint aphorisms. put in the mouth of Dabney Todd and others are typical of the authors richly humorous talent.
 It Is in the fidelity with which the Westcott brothers pictured places and people that much of the charm of their books consist You can imagine that they thoroughly enjoyed the diversion it was hardly work" to them-of re- calling the characteristic sayings and do- ings of communities that are sufficient unto themselves.
 That is why David Harum'' and Hep sey Burke" were best sellers-and for the same reason, among others. you will en- joy "Dabney Todd"
 BRANDON OF THE ENGINEERs.' By Harold BindIoss. Frederick A
 Stokes company. publishers, New York
 Brandon of the Engineers" by Harold Bhndloss, the brilliant writer, Is TO- nance of the tropics, with love, intrigue and hardship strangely blended A strong man, an adorable girl, an Englshman secretly employed by the Germans, q Latin spy. a scheming half-breed, a re- sourceful Anerican-these are some of the characters that fill the story with thrills of adventure and romance.
 Circumstance carries Dick Brandon in one quick sweep from luxurious home in England to contemptible hovel in a little Pennsylvania oil town. Fate picks him up then and deposits him on the coast of Central America. Exciting events hinging on the great war follow one another quickly. Dicks high courage and staunch patriotism expose the per- fidy of the father of the girl he loves; and they test the heart of the girl, who must choose between her father and Dick.
 It is a story of strength and grit and justice. written in spirited and colorful manner-the fight of strong man handi- capped by a circumstance in his past. !. shifting rapidly from thrilling fights with the elements during a storm at sea to romance in the tropical moonlight.