A Book to Read

"During my seven years In China, hundreds of questions had been asked about the Chinese Red Army, the Soviets, and the Communist movement. Eager partisans could supply you with a stock of ready answers, but these [unclear: rained] highly unsatisfactory. How did they know! They had never been to Red Chins." In this opening paragraph Edgar Snow gives the reason that prompted him to break the news blockade that had been surrounding the Celestial Reds for years, and to write of his experiences in the territory of the first Chinese Soviet.

As an example of reportage, "Red Star Over China" is outstanding, due no doubt to the fact that Edgar Snow has own in China as foreign correspondent of the "Daily Herald for seven or eight years. Current opinion believes, or did believe, that the Red Army was only a collection of thousands of hungry brigands who ravaged and laid waste all and sundry. That this is a mistaken view is amply proved. Edgar Snow seems to have a real knowledge, not superficial, of China, and his apparent happy aptitude to make friends has been of invaluable assistance. His biographies of Mao Tsetung. Chairman of the "Chinese People's Soviet Republic" and Chu Teh, commander-in-chief, of the All China Red Army, are excellent, as is his vivid description of the Long March, when a nation emigrated six thousand miles across the largest rivers in Asia, along the most difficult trucks, over the highest mountains, and subject to constant attack By Chiang Kal Shek's troops. Such a march is comparable with Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. "Red Star Over China" Is wally a vital account of Chinese life, and in view of the situation In that country at present, should be read by all those interested in the destiny of China.

—M.L.B.