Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-20
Books and Authors

Tho dramatic events Of Allen
FrenchS unusual romance. The Hid
Ing Places" just published by Charles
Scribner's Sons. arise from the sinEu-
lar mystery that surrounds an old New
England farm. the homo OF the down
right young giant who Is its hero and
OF his cousin MarEery. II had come
to the family through common an
cestor, a buccanccr. and now is divided
between two brothers. condition ap-
preaching that OF feud existed between
the families on account OF the know
ledge. by the old pirates whimsical
will. OF treasure hidden somewhere
upon the property. How this mystery
and the treasure itself acts to loose
strange and violent passions. TO send
the brave young countryman out into
the world and back again. and TO pro-
duce Il rarely attractive love story is
the substance Of a novel that is dis
tinctly original in both matter and
manner.
THE Book Of Self" by James OPP
pcnheim tAlfred A. KnopO. is a book
in which you Will certainly find your
self Mr.. Oppenheim is generally re-
garded as one OF tho few really sig
nifcant and important poets now writ
ing in America. His work has been
hailed as "A milestone In our poetic
progress" Tho most notable recent
contribution to American verse" The
Book Of Self however. Is. something
more than poetry. beautiful In form
and rich in color. II Is work related
intimately to that struggle which we
realize America Is undergoing to-day
and from which new national life
Is emerging. The work falls into three
parts: Self one OF the sharpest. most
direct and deepest revelations OF n
mans life, his real motives, desires. am
bition and hopes, which has yet ap
peared in literature; the Song Of Life.
a real history OF youths encounter:
Creation, the drama OF all life por-
trayed through the life OF man.
Conrad Bercovici's Grimes OF Char
ity." just issued by Alfred A. Knopf, is
a book that approaches the problem or
orgapized charity from a totally new
angle. Former attacks on organized
charity have criticized II merely as
futile palliative. or have attacked
it on the score of graft or expenses
wasted in red tape: Mr.. Bercovici shows
II is an actual oppression and perse-
cution of the poor. having directly dis
astrous results upon their individual
lives. IT always remember the manu-
script. as read it last spring. for the
living quality in it," says John Reed
In his Introduction to the volume.
The book. think. Is not only tho eN-
preston Of philosophy. but an eX-
preston of New York, Of America, OF
the tenements Of the world, and 1t
shows so undeniably, so clearly. the
wrongful laundering of society in it's
feeble attempts to abolish poverty, that
I can't but think that something prac-
teal and immediate will come out of
tiff only a new public opinion"
1.-The Call OF the Republic" by Colo
mel Jennings G. Wise. has opportunity
appeared from the presses OF T.. p.
Dutton & Co. 1t is a book that every
Firginan will want to read. and IL
placed in the hands OF every American
within the prescribed military age
would enable him to determine at cncc
his duty In the present national emer-
gency. In practical, direct words,
without oratorical fights or sermoniz-
ing. the author proves beyond any sha-
dow OF doubt for all reasonable per-
sons that universal military training
is the only safe solution of our pres
ent condition OF unprcparedness: more
over. that II is also the only fair and
the only democratic form OF military
service possible in a republic. Major
General Leonard Wood says I'm his in
Productions: 1T is a book which all
Americans can read with profit, and
ono which. 81 needed. will add much
TO national well-being and security"
The author Ia a graduate OF the Vir-
ginia Military Institute, and for O. long
time connected with that institution
In various capacities.