New Books

Angus & Robertson's List

WE have received a most interesting

budget of new books from Messrs.

Angus and Robertson, Ltd., well-known

publishers, of Sydney. This firm is

maintaining, in the books it produces, a

High standard of literary quality, plus

“reader interest”; and residents of the

Islands, requiring good reading matter,

may order any of the following without

hesitation.

ACTION AT AQUILA, by Hervey Allen (au thor of “Anthony Adverse”) is a fascinat ing description of a series of little-known events and localities connected with the Ame rican Civil War. strung together as the mili tary career of a colonel. There is no plot and only a few exciting incidents. Features are the portrayal of battle scenes with ex traordinary vividness, and read artistry in describing how the beautiful valleys of Penn sylvania and Virginia were racked by war. < 10/6>.

SWINGING INTO GOLF, by Ernest Jones and Innls Brown. Here Is an excellent man ual for use both of beginners and of those who have become set in their ways. It deals with primary rules, old habits and modern technique—and, moreover, it is eminently read able. (8/6).

THE VICTORIAN ERA—lts Strength and Weakness, by Professor Walter Murdoch. This volume contains two Macrossan Lectures, de livered in 1937. and every man and woman interested in comparisons betweens the cul tures of particular eras will read it with de light. Professor Murdoch is one of our most erudite and charming writers, and he has made available in these two lectures, in most attractive form, the results of a lifetime of reading. (2/-).

SAVAGES IN SERGE, by Jack Hides. This is the well-known young Papuan explorer’s third book. He has gained steadily in the technique of writing, and there will be many who will regard this as his most attractive work. “Savages in Serge”, of course, are the native Papuan policemen, who have accom panied him so loyally and staunchly in all his Papuan adventures, and for whom he has the deepest admiration and respect. The book was written on his last expedition up the Strickland River, and it is vivid with colour and incident. The young author, in a spec ial foreword, gives all the credit for the fine spirit and efficient condition of the Papuan Armed Constabulary to the present Governor.

Sir Hubert Murray. The book will be more fully reviewed in our next issue. (8/6).

JAPAN REACHES OUT, by Willard Price.

This book already has been referred to in this journal. We merely remind readers that if they want to understand the Pacific situ ation, in relation to present deeply significant events in Asia, they must read this volume —written and published since the Japanese at tack on China commenced. (10/6).

HARPOONS AHOY! by Will Lawson. This is a valuable contribution to South Pacific and Antarctic history. Mr. Lawson is a good historian, because he is always careful of his facts, and he has a vivid, dramatic style of story-telling. In the present case the setting down of the experiences of the late Captain McKillop, last of the old-time whalers —he has a job to his liking, and he has carried it out in admirable fashion. It is a dramatic and often exciting story of the great sperm whales —not the migratory crea tures which nowadays are hunted by small fleets of steamers, but huge and cunning fight ers, which frequent certain areas, seek their food on the bed of the ocean, and are cap able of sinking ships and swallowing men.

It is a readable book, which can be warmly recommended as an historical narrative and an exciting yarn. (7/6).

DEATH IN THE MORNING, by Harry Hodge.

Here we have an Australian thriller with a good mystery, quick action and plenty of exciting situations. The author flies high, by tying up his story to a diabolical scheme to wreck the administrative machinery of a na tion; but he gets away with it successfully,

and skilfully introduces romance and real humour to brighten his sinister tale. (4/6).

DERELICT, by Joseph Shaw. This is a thril ler of another kind, eminently readable and stirring. We have an ancient setting for the tale—a gallant young man finds himself alone on a water-logged ship with a beautiful red haired girl, her mother, a person of definitely villainous inclinations, and a giant wolf-hound; but the story moves swiftly, in an ingenious and unexpected fashion, and we are given a most attractive tale of adventure, romance and intrigue. (7/6).

THE AULD SINNER, by Cowan Harper.

Cowan Harper is the nom-de-plume of Pro fessor Angus, of St. Andrew’s College (Syd ney) who. as well as being a very notable ecclesiastic, is also a cultured and delightful writer, with an unusual sense of humour. This collection of stories, based on incidents among Scottish folk in a little village in Ulster, is sprinkled with humour, with hatred of the hypocritical and narrow mind, with philoso phical reflection, and with quaint and lively Incident; and the charming character of the tales is in no way lessened because they con tain much of the Scottish dialect. A delight ful book, cordially recommended. (3/6).

THE MAKING OF A SCIENTIST, by Ray mond L. Dltmaras. Everyone is aware that scientists know a great deal about natural phenomena which is of fascinating interest to common people, but that not one scientist in a thousand is able to tell us what he knows.

In this book, however, we have fifteen chap ters devoted to the work of a scientist in a score of, different fields—flies, snakes, frogs, monkeys, bears, bats. etc.—and in every case he gives us something new and interesting and startling. The mass, good in itself, is leavened with a vein of rich humour, and the whole book is at once entertaining and in structive. The text is illustrated with a couple of score of unusual photographs. (7/6).

Mr. Len Christoffersen, formerly of

Fiji, died recently at the age of 33 at

Reefton, New Zealand. He was for

many years in the Fiji Customs Depart

ment, being stationed as Suva and

Levuka. Later he worked at Tavua,

from the commencement of mining op

erations there, returning to New Zealand

last year.