The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-16
THE BOOK SHELF
nx THE nIBLIoPHILE
"A STUDENT IN ARMs.n

"A STUDENT IN ARMS"
 By Donald Hankey. With an introduc-
 tion by J. St. Loe stackey. E. P.
 Dutton & Co, publishers, New York.
 The volume bearing the title, "A Stu dent in Arms" by Donald Hankey was first published in London in the columns of the London Spectator.
 It was written in snort articles and sketched essays and letters by a man
 in the trenches" and they form a war book of very unusual and original character dealing with the deeper and more important things of human life.
 Donald Hankey gives credit to the Mir J. St. Loe Stackey of The London Spec tator,' who inspired the publication of the book and to whose kindness and lib- erality he feels greatly indebted
 That 24,00O volumes of "A Student ip Arms were sold in England alone dur ing the first month of it's publication proves its popularity and it's merit and after reading 1t one can readily under- stand why it has had such a tremendous vogue
 The high spiritual idea1ism which actu- ates so many thousands in the ranks of the allies finds 8 voice in it. and the mental attitude of the fighting men to- wards religion, the church, their off, SCis anu tHelf COHlTdueS IS GXnlDlteQ not only with sanity and sympathy but with fine simplicity of language and an inspiring nobility of outlook
 "A Student in Arms" is one of the best books for the mothers and wives of SOL diers, and for their sisters, fathers and sweethearts, and also for the soldiers themselves. It is particularly valuable for army and navy officers and chap lains for the Young Mems Christian as cCS ffNr, F+ f-u man in the ranks, for they set high standard and give an inspiring example, and they will hearten and comfort his friends and relatives at home
 The editor of the London Spectator put their spirit in a nutshell: "One rises from the students books with Aense that man is. after all, a noble animal, and that, though war may blight and burn 1t reveals the best side of human nature and sanctifies as well as destroys.'' THE RHYMES OF A RED CROSS
 MAN"
 By Robert w. Service. Barse 6 Hop-
 kins, publishers, New York.
 With the same adorable swing and dash that Robert Services other volumes of verse have had, "The Rhymes of a Red Cross Man. comes brighter, cleverer and more attractive than any of the fore going which is saying great deal for them.
 Apropos of the times MT. Service has penned a number of charming verses in 'The Rhymes of Q Red Cross Man, ," prominently Garry On'' and "The Whis- tie of Sandy McGraw," two of the most appealing and delightful of the poems.
 There are verses for every occasion-' sorrowful, bright, doleful, gay--and the fact that Robert w. Service has writ ten them is enough to commend them to the most discriminating.
 Robert W. Service "awoke one morn- ing to find himself famous" An ad- venturer in the far north, attracted by the lure of gold to the Yukon, he turned naturally to verse to express the varied scenes and adventures through which he was passing. After leaving the Yukon, MT. Service entered the ambulance corps of the allies in France. His experiences after months of this thrilling life, driv- ing ambulances along the shelled road, rescuing wounded from the very jaws of death, or listening to the stories of convalescent soldiers, are told in the Rhymes of a Red Cross Man" Serv- ice grips you from the opening lines of his first verses and carries you through spellbound to the last page. He pictures life at it's fullest because he has tasted life and sings from the heart. So full of action and real life are these verses, that one after another-beginnin3 with tle famous Shooting of Dan McGraw' they have been turned into moving pie ture plays of enormous success.
 The Rhymes of Red Cross Man are the songs of the great war There is humor and pathos of the great strug. gle in verses which will live after the story of conflict is but legend.