Reviews.

“The Spirit of London,” by Paul Cohen-Portheim, is one of the most interesting of the year's prolific book output of Angus and Robertson Ltd. of Sydney. Countless books have been written about the great city but in this volume a new and most interesting atmosphere is revealed. As the author states in his introduction he has taken for granted the famous sights and curiosities of London. Where they are mentioned it is not for descriptive but for explanatory purposes—it is a critical and not a descriptive guide. The uncanny insight displayed regarding unknown London is a revelation. This is going to be one of the most popular travel books of the year. Enhancing the brilliant letterpress are 140 photographs taken from all angles of London life. The book sells at 8s. 6d.

“The Iron Duke,” by Philip Lindsay (Angus and Robertson, Sydney), will be welcomed by all who have seen the great film in which George Arliss took the leading part. To those who have not seen the much-discussed talkie it should provide one of the most interesting of historical romances. A great yarn for the fireside these winter nights. The book is illustrated with seventeen full page plates taken from the film. On sale at all book-sellers, price 2s. 9d.

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Whether it is the possibility of another war being thrust on us or merely a psychological cycle among the reading public I do not know, but it is very evident that there is a big demand just now for books and pictures dealing with the Great War. Messrs. Angus and Robertson, the well-known Sydney publishers, have produced quite a number of war books of late, all of them interesting and generally regarded as important additions to the library of authentic books on the war. Two noteworthy books in this connection have just been publised by the same firm.

“Comrades of the Great Adventure,” by H. R. Williams, gives us a series of wonderful sidelights on the War. Here we see our friend the Digger as the great conversationalist—training and the serious fighting business are in the background. Human nature stands revealed in the light of the camp fire in billet and in trench. Something different from the usual war book, and vastly entertaining in spite of its sombre patches. The author well lives up to the big reputation he established with his “The Gallant Company.” The other book takes us under the sea and reveals in a gripping manner the part the submarine played in the War. “Watchdogs of the Deep” is the title, and the author is, T. M. Jones, ex-leading torpedo-man of H.M. submarine J2. Here we see the detective of the deep searching, ever searching, for his quarry. An extremely dangerous game, simply bristling with thrills. I can imagine no theatre of the Great War that could produce a more exciting drama. A brief foreword is supplied to the book by Rear-Admiral W. T. Randle Ford, Commander of the Australian Navy. Both books sell at 6/- each.

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