Evening star., 1917-10-21
Reviews of New Books

one has read. It ts, besides. based upon
the same novel point of view that gave
rise to the one unforgettable story by
Jack London, upon the wild racial In
stinct of the dog. The story is restrain
ed at every point by the writer's un-
equivocal dog sense. The human side
of the adventure is fresh and appealing.
The big and lonesome background Is
finely dramatic and true to the believ-
abilities of the desolate northwest. An
all-around good story for those who re-
spond to the thrill Of wild life.
THE QUEST OF LEDGAR DUNsTAN.
BY Alfred Tresidder Sheppard au-
thor of THE Rise of Ledgar Dun
stan," etc. New York: D. Appleton
& Co.
This is the story OF man who can
not find himself. And. II there is any
thing at all worth finding in the fulfill
ties and makeshifts Of this person, it
does not appear. even at the last, The
most that the author comedies him as
the end Of his quest is the belated
quietude of the wayside home Of his
boyhood. together with an easement of
mind which the man calls religion, bat
which. to one on the outside. looks like
nothing more than sheer relief at being
out OF the prodigious mess that he had
been making of things in general The
theme is surprising one-tor, no
doubt, il any Of US were to set out on
a quest of himself he would flnd-cer-
tainly to his sorrow. but. mayhap, to
his healing pretty sick and incon-
sequential sort of fellow. That is the
point OF this novel. 1t is about all of
us, amy OF us. To be sure, not every one
would stand helplessly looking on while
his home was despoiled as Dunstan
did. nor would he. through clear timid
ity and fear. do Just the sort Of coward
~ and craven thing that this man did.
But, sizing up the days, and honestly
appraising ones self in any general ac-
counting with the real values of life.
hardly any one will be able to cut
much more of q figure than does this
weekkneed. slack-twisted, chicken
hearted apology for man. The book
lacks structural worth, hatefully
haunting as 1t Is in theme and sub
stance. There is a flaw In the writer's
sense of drama with its focused move
ment from one telling point of ascent
to the next one. an unawareness Of the
carrying force of coherent and pro-
portioned ensemble. liking for by
paths and long detours-all obstructive
to an advence that should. in view of
tho theme. be in the sweep of strong
and dramatic movement.
THE SHELLYs OF GEORGIA. BY
Beatrice York Houghton. Illustrat-
Lee & Shepard Company.
THE Shellys of Georgia" is pleas
antly expansive story of the south.
Reminiscent here and there of the old
south, 1t is. on the whole a romance of
the present day. progressive in Its
chief characters and in the interviewer
complex Of its action. Primarily a love
story. with many new turn to the
frn Nf IrfS oh IN Y1rn
gathers up within this design OF pure
romance many an incident that serves
to characterize the new spirit of the
south. and many person-man and
also to show the effect Of our stirring
new life upon the genial and attractive
personality of the southerner. This
looks like first novel. AS such 1t is
as promising for the next one as 1t Is
engaging in Itself.
THE YOUTH AND THE NATION. A
Guide to Service. BY Harry H.
ton" Introduction by Samuel Nc
Cune Lindsay. Phi. D., LII. D.. pro-
fessor Of social legislation, Columbia
University New York: The Mac
milan Company.
This unique book is concrete call to
the youth OF this country. 1t Is also
series of waymarks to the youths in
stinctive turn toward service for a
country that Is his home and his shell
ter. Happily. from the records Of this
country in Its past, and also in its i'm
mediate present. the author has been
able to cite Americans Of conviction
and courage who have thrown them
selves gloriously into the work of
making this a great country to call
ones own. This is the strength of Mr..
Moore's book. Great men Of business.
men of vision, with justice and the
golden rule as their guide, are brought
forward here by name and achieve
ment Great teachers and preachers,
lawyers and doctors. artists and lead
ers of labor, men from all fields, are
summoned here to furnish concrete evil
dence of the many kinds of service that
are required to defend and support this
great country. 1t il an inspiring book
for youth. It leads him to know these
great men. 1t offers wide range for
the direction of his own particular
choice Of service. Leading up to this
broad and objective study OF the many
defenders OF the. nation 10 plain