Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-07
NOVELS OF BUSINESS
High Finance and Great Engi'
neering Feats Are the
Themes

In barest outline the plot OF steer
Preferred sounds something like n
ske!etonized Horatio Alger story IL
tells the adventures Of a waif VINO
presses his career forward from an
errapdi boy to general manager OF a
great steel plant. But Herscbel Hal'
the author. has more literary quallty'
more fictional resourcefulness than the
writer of the Ragged Dick and Tattered
Tom stories. He knows human nature,
and he knows the steel industry. Out
of these combined knowledges ne mas
desnite the industrial nature OF the ma.
teriaI. Those who like a substantial
foundation for their fiction and YER,
stirring way of presenting 1t VIII ma
tkis book informing and enthralling.
"woIves'' is another story which
Combines big business and modern IN
dustrialism. 1t is the first novel OF
Alden Welch, graduate engineer, VINO
In recent years has been the editor OF
technical and engineering trade peri9di
calls. In between Mr.. Weich mas hau
n widely varied career. 1t is interesting
to note in view of the fact that steam
shovels play big part in wolves =,
that its author has in the course OF
business visited and inspected virtually
every big steam shovel plant In the
limited States. 1t also records the ad ,
ventures and misadvcntures OF LAD
from adverse beginnings to ultimate sue :
cess. The hero's father. through tne
treachery Of a fancied friend, IS really
poor instead Of wealthy man. Inc
sons development and his surmountine
of obstacles of industrialism and the
onnos;t;on of certain business interest,
are told with amplitude of action that
keeps the story moving briskly.
The central figure of '"The Rapids
wins industrial and business success fol
himself and prosperity for his commu
nity through his masterful personality
his sense of vision and his great shrcwd
ness. He is a dreamer whose dreams
come true. His supreme faitn; M
tireless energy, his technical skill, al
are brought to building bridges, estao
fishing plants and winning prec,ou,
metals from the earth. Running through
the inspiring chronicle of his success
is the story Of his great love for Elsie
which ia cut across by the love OF hi
chief engineer for the girl. Both
story of action and as romance or loV
this book will find many readers U
like It.
"Isaacs" Is a story of business, bu
of another sort-of merchandising an
not industry. But it belongs In thi
group because it's hero, too, for whom
the book Is titled, is a gamin, a news
, boy and what not, before he attains HI
success as a merchant. He Is full
: good humor and human nature. Som
of his transactions bring him close L
the legal line. but his native wit an
resourcefulness help him to avoid run
ming afoul Of the law. He is not
conscious transgressor either of law o
ethics, however. Like Potash and Perl
, muttcr, of whom he Is. in way.
british counterpart, he has a backin
Of ready sympathy and warm hearted
ness for his shrewd commercial instinct
: and keen sense Of a bargain. MIR. &c
has written lively and engaging boo
about Isaacs.
WOLVES. BY Alden welch. New York
Alfred A. Knopf. ,,,. ,
York: D. Appleton 4 Co.
, STEEL PREFERRED. BY Herschel Hall
New York: p. r. Dutton co.
IsAACS BY Joseph Gee. Philadelphia; j
| b LIppincott Co.