Evening star., 1924-11-09
Reviews of New Books
FaScfsta Regeneration. By Luigi
Vfllari. New York: George II. Do
!

Fascista Regeneration. BY Luigi
Vfllari. New York: George H. Do
! ran Co.
STUDY Of modern Italy, its en-
n phasis expended upon the fas-
"A Cista movement and the work
L y of Mussolini, the heart of
that movement. The author,
looking out upon the present of Italy
with the eye of the historian trained
to a keen sense of essential causes
and influences, relationships and ten
denotes. here traces the rise of the
fascista forces under Mussolini, and
their effect upon the growing social
istic disorganization of the country.
For the purpose Of this study nothing
less than a complete survey of the
economic and political situation in
Italy at the present time is required.
And this the author gives, providing
students and readers with fresh and
Informed summary of this country un-
der the menace Of socialism, under
the rise of Mussolini, the head of the
fascista uprising, opposed heart and
soul to the growth of socialism. 1.-THE
problems still before the government
are many and formidable. But the
Improvement is immense and real
progress is being achieved at a rate
never dreamed of E. 1t is the new
with public affairs. the new spirit
of patriotism, which have penetrated
deep into the heart of the nation
the direct effect of the work and in
fluence of MuSsolini and his black
shirted followers.
STELLA NASH. BY "Gunpat" Bos-
ton: Houghton, Miff1in Company.
This adventure jumps off into
4ys, cre.1x H. h. l., ,rrl
beginning it moves over into hunt
for treasure that moves over a good
ly part of the earth, finally settling
down to real business in northern
India. Here matters move swiftly
and convincingly, for the author, in
the first place, has a way of pushing
his adventure, not of padding it.
Then, too, he is clearly at home in
the region where the bulk of this
matter is placed. so one gets the ad-
vantage Of feeling that he is not
being shown a fabricated setting,
such as the movies produce-and pro-
duce remarkably well, it must be
conceded. Nothing strikes one as
being, made up here. Rather do the
realities of place and custom and ap-
pearance give him the sense of going
along in a personal partaking of ad-
venture that touches many a high
point and many low one-all of
them, however, fresh and unworn.
lusty and outreaching. Oh, yes, a
love story. Yes, Stella Nash You'll
like the love story. no less than the
treasure hunt. Admirable both of
them-thrilling and captivating.
THE MAN FROM SMILING PASS. BY
Eliot Fl. Robinson, author of
Smiling Pass" etc Illustrations
by II. Weston Taylor Boston: l..
c., Page & Co.
The Southern highlands stand con-
spicuous as region that has pre-
served in marked degree the original
character and traits and customs of
its first white settlers. An eighteenth
century island surrounded by the
waves and currents of twentieth
century progress. A unique region
whose dramatic content and appeal a
few writer's have seized upon with
advantage to themselves and deep en-
Joyment to their readers. Eliot
Robinson has staked substantial
claim to the Cumberlands. in evidence
of which he has already drawn from
the soil and the people three good
novels. The last of these, THE Man
From Smiling Pass covers the career
OF Abe Blount, mountaineer Sheriff,
when we first come upon him. Legis-
lator at Washington when we see him
unconquerable law-and- order man.
On the one hand warning to the
lawleSS element of his own com
munity. On the other hand invulner-
able to the seductions that wait upon
those in power. The story of modern
politics applied to this remote quarter
and centering upon the career of Abe
Blount is the story; a story that the
author has worked out from a founda-
ton of intimate knowledge of the
place and the character of the people.
dramatic development that holds to
the characteristic essentials of it's
material. A painstaking invention,
whose substance is reality, and not
invention at all. A big story whose
hero, Abe Blount-humble in birth,
sound in character, Straigh in action
recalls that other ABE" of the
South who came to be one Of the great
men of the world.
THE PASSIONATE ADVENTURE. BY
Frank Stayton, author of Threads"
New York: The Century Co.
Adrian St. Clair-fine fellow, good
business, beautiful wife, popular
clubman. officer in the big war. Jim
Higgins-touSh, freauenter of shady
quarters, loafer in dark streets, the
defender of Vicky, who was bit
tough. too, recipient of Vicky's rude
hospitality since the encounter was
something of knockout for Jim.
Adrian St Clair and Jim Higgins.
One and the same. The war woke
something in the finished and pol
tshed st. Clair. Maybe it brought to
the top another ST. Clair that had
to behave like Jim Higgins. So, on
the one hand, here is the story of
high life smooth, sophisticate, ele-
CANT. On the other hand, the story
is that of the underdog, the unframed
the resentful and vindictive. An un-
commonly interesting treatment of a
not unfamiliar situation, this, where
in single individual lives out the
double existence that the most of us
hide away in our secret places. There
is good drama sensed and produced
here in scenes and episodes that sat
isfy ones sense of good construction,
choice use of words that embody
these scenes vitality, and a mount
ing tension Of suspense that holds
the reader to an active partaking of
an exciting and momentous adven-
ture.
NELL GwYN, The Story OF Her Life.
BY Lewis Melville, author of THE
Life Of Thackeray." etc. Illustra-
tions by Kitty Shannon. New
York: George II. Doran Co.
writer of distinction and pub
Usher of enterprise and good taste
have come together here to produce
a beautiful book on a subject of un-
fading interest. It is of the fairy
story cast, this story of Nell Gwyn,
who trod the primrose path toward a
kings throne, stopping far short of
it, to be sure, but approaching it to a
nearness that set up line of Eng
lish nobility, existent to this day,
quite proud of it's line, too. However,