Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-08


Adams author of The Founding OF New
England" etc. Boston: Little, Brown 81 Co.
nee a spiteful someone said "Anleri-
4 can history is all cluttered up with
I N Adamses." 1t is easy to imagine that
| same splenetic bystander exclaiming at
this moment "Oh, Lord! Here are the
\damseS again" And here they are-tour
enerations of them, the most distinguished
lmiIy in the United States" according to this
,uthor. James Truslow Adams, who makes it
ute clear that he himself has no connection
18th the great family of which he has written.
;orn in Virginia, this Adams lived abroad
auch of the time a boy, but came home
/ time to receive the bulk of his education in
\merica Beginning as business man, he
4 1912 gave up that engagement in order to
urSue the study of history. New England
,ecame his preoccupation. In evidence, he has
reduced three substantial studies of this local
" at different periods of its development
from the founding of New England to its
art in the movement for independence on to
$ place in the great Republc-such has been
ne field of investigation and research on the
art of this scholar of modern outlook and
Method.
II know that neighborhood as well as
,now the palm of my own hand" is the old
armer'S way of asserting intimacy with this
Ilace or that one. Reading THE Adams Fam
ty.' that saying comes to mind in respect to
he breadth and depth of this writer's knowl-
sdge of New England during the years when
he United States was in its beginnings and
arly youth. Indeed, it is that familiarity with
he historic facts, of the place and time, that
nsight into the essential New England direct
ag and dominating Colonial affairs, which
gives to the study of the Adams family much
If its significance as geographic history of sur
passing quality.
1t is this section that sets the FIRST stage
expands finally to the full measure of the
United States itself, with wings to right and
eft including parts of the Old World. Clearly,
family of expansive spirit and expanding
,owers. Marching along with the growth of
he United States in territory and power and
International relations are four generations of
his dominant and influential family From
John Adams, second President of the Republic
o Charles Francis Adams, present Secretary
If the Navy, the line runs through century
md a half of history. In between these two
IRE another President, national legislator,
diplomats, scholars and writers, business man
If prominence, more scholars and more writers.
And each, in this inspired accounting, stands
out In the intimacy of his own individuality
actively possessed as well of the family ira
ittion Of outstanding character. These personal
md family characteristics move out into the
current of growing American history, contribut-
ng I'm time and circumstance to the require
nents OF the country at the hands of its
citizens.
The book is strikingly alive. These Adamses
are a vital, an unconquerable tribe, clan, family
A part of such vividness Of effect is due, no
iOubt, to the authors intimacy with every
aspect of the historic background. Due also to
l creative gift, to a dramatic sence of human
Qualities, set to certain proportions, which go
nto the recreation Of individuals by way of
print. Selection and emphasis, these applied in
teep insight and expert application, serve to re-
animate this American dynasty of sound citi-
zezship to immediate participation in all the
exigencies Of our national growth. A superb
work OF high scholarship, which stands at the
Same time rs an absorbing story of individual
life, grouped by spiritual kinshps into unique
family biography. An Atlantic Press publica-
ion, for whose actual issue we are in debt to
Little, Brown & Co.
A FLOCK OF BIRDS. BY Kathleen coyle,
author Of ''Liv," etc. New York: z. p
Dutton d Co.
THE year 1919. Dublin. during the Black
and Tan period. Christy, sentenced to
teaEh for q crime which Christy called, simply
for Ireland, if he called it anything at ali;
"a herine Munster, the boys mother. Such
70 foundation of Kathleen Coyles story. Not
story at all, not in the common acceptance
-fr WORD NoC Cnlng lot Oore0 readers 10
To for diversion. Just an adventure of the
L. instead, that takes hold of those only
ITO have gone doWn into the dark places of
ear and anguish. Down there, in that place
s Catherine Munster. reaching for the boy in
Yer heart, meeting his nature in this dilemma
through his kinship to herself Sensing his
fears there IN the prison, realizing the fare of
nope that comes by way of outside efforts for
MS release, meeting those hopes-those false
1Opes-with the divine intuitions of comfort
tay by day and hour by hour. Set down within
her own soul is this boy. And around him she
Eeps her spirit mantle of courage and hope
and comfort as, before birth, ne was wrapped
in the nourishing blanket of her own body
MinisterLng TO him minute by minute whether