The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-06-23
BY WALTER d. HICKMAN

BY WALTER ID. HICKMAN
TT is probably not the wise thing
Il to open a book chat with an
IF" but am going to do it this
time.
If you enjoyed Trader Horn,
you will have a grand and glorious
time reading BLACK Bagdad'
There is really no direct connec-
tionS between the two books. One
is the life story of Horn The other
is the story of the experiences OF
John Houston Craige, captain of the
u. S. marine corps, in Haiti
The reader is concerned with the
memories of an early visit paid by
Craige to Haiti in 1912 but most
particularly to his three years eX-
periences as an officer in the Hal
tian army, "a sort of white Emir
to command the black troops of a
providence.
Craige gives you a splendid pic
ture of the strange spell of Haiti
when he quotes the opinion of his
friend HenneSSey, gun-runner, IN
the beginning and ending of the
book as follows: This is black Bag
dad. These people are still living
in the days of the Arabian Nights
You may meet Haroun al Raschid
and Giafer. his Grand Wazir, any
day, walking arm in arm in the
street. You may hear tales as amaz-
ing as any Sheherezade ever told.
And the warning-no matter what
ones experiences are in Haiti, plea
SAINT or unpleasant-"you are bound
to come back"
The titles of the chapters are
really an index to the nature CT the
experiences of the captain. Take
these titles for eXample-"Three
Who Were Slain" Home Sweet
Jail" one of the most interesting
chapters in the book; Trail of A
Murderer" "Sun-PoiSon," Burial
of Prince" Death of a God and
A PriesteSs" and "Bewitched," a re-
markable chapter dealing with VOC
doc powers and witch doctors. To
me this is the most interesting
chapter in the book and everything
recorded is facts.
Black Bagdad" has been Splend-
idly written and the author is un-
usual for a marine officer, take
it. because he speaks and writes sew
eral languages and the book is full
of proof of the authors accomplish
ments.
The fact is I have a better idea
of the strange spell of the natives
of Haiti than I ever have had since
reading this book
Here is a strange charm coupled
up with equally strange habits and
experiences. The curse that a
strange native girl places on Craige
is one of the weirdeSt recitals have
encountered in many a moon.
This witch girl was able to cast
spell over Craige which cast him
into terrible illness and only a
witch doctor on the island was able
TO break that evil spell with a
charm.
That's the authors story and he
must believe it because he still has
the charm that the witch doctor
gave him.
Here is book that is not only
fine theater in reading, it is in
Structive at the same time it gives
entertainment.
Black Bagdad,' is published by
Minton, Balch and Company OF
New York. Sells for So.
In answer to several inquiries re-
garding a book of a certain type,
am informed that the latest book
which is considered standard on the
subject is The Sex Factor In Mar
riage," by DR.. Helena Wright, pub
lished by the Vanguard Press, 10(
Fifth avenue, New York and sells
for 50.
Logmans, Green and Company
have Just published in London
Thornton Wilder'S translation Of
'Luerece" from Andre Obey's
French play. lie Viol de Lucrece.
1t was published in America BY
Houghton Miflin Company while il
was being presented in New York
by Katherine Cornell. Since Sc
much reading interest is beine
aroused in this play, Miss Cornell
plans to present it next season in g
series of matinees.
Am trying to find the person WHIT
has reread Alice In Wonderland
the most times. If you have reac
1t many times, let me know. Also
What edition you like best.