THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL - Air Defense Artillery

BOOK REVIEWS 279
nineteenth century Europe and the United States. Of particular interest to military men
are Socrates, by Diogenes Laertius; Alexander the Great, by Plutarch; Augustus Caesar,
by Suetonius; Jesus of Nazareth, by Luke; Charlemagne, by Einhard; JeaWle d'Arc, by
C. A. Sainte-Beuve; Frederick the Great, by T. B. Macaulay; Napoleon_'Bonaparte, by
George Brandes; and Otto von Bismarck, by Emil Ludwig.
The book contains more than seven hundred thousaud words, but through a judicious
selection of type and paper it has been kept to a very convenient size. This is the most
valuable single volume of biography that has appeared in a long time.
Practical Calculus for Home Study. By C. I. Palmer. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co.
1929. 4%,"x 7%,". 443 p. ll. $3.00,
A concise and readable book, written in non-mathematical language to serve the needs
of those who require the calculus as a working tool rather than as a polite accomplishment.
It is equally adapted for a general review of the fundamentals of the science or for reference
use by those whose college calculus has become rusty.
Only the most sketchy acquaintence with analytic geometry is assumed, and the author
proceeds almost directly to the solution of practical problems by calculus methods. As each
new portion of the snbject or each new class of applications is taken up, numerous illustra-
tive problems are worked out for the student's guidance. These problems are strikingly
varied in origin, serve as excellent models, and help to keep up the heart of the beginner.
The separate chapters on maxima and minima and on "rate" problems are of exceptional
practical value, both for their general hints and their general availability as model solutions.
Excellent discussions are given of the mathematics of simple harmonic motion and of damped
vibrations. As the author puts the matter, "The subject of calculus cannot be made easy,
but it can be made plain."
The book is completed by the usual tables. It is very well printed and admirably
bound.-F. M. G.
An Outline History of the World. By H. A. Davies, M. A. London: Oxford University
Press. 1928. 4%,"x 714". 560 p. II. $2.50.
Every history has to be selective, and none more so than general or world history.
Selection having been made, there come the questions of proportion and emphasis. One
author will stress the military development of nations, another the economic, and a third
the political. Historiography is fascinating, but it certainly is not easy and one's purpose
in writing should be very clearly defined hefore the writing is undertaken.
The author announces his purpose as "primarily an attempt to supply schools with a
suitable text-book," but one of interest to the general reader. His interest-and his
emphasis-may therefore be arranged in order as political, economic, military, and social.
Bearing this in mind, we find the hook adequate for its purpose.
Of particular interest to us is the author's chapter on tbe United States, and here we
note particularly the impersonal attitude which is the aim of every writer of history.
"Business is undoubtedly the dominant interest of most young Americans .... WeaIth
is not, however, worshipped as an end in itself, but rather as a material proof of success
..• with the business instinct there i'1 mixed a considerable strain of idealism. The
American, while he strives to make the best of the world as it is, is also only much alive
to the need for a better world .••. The election of Woodrow Wilson ... was a
triumph for idealism, and his project of a League of Nations .•. received considerable
support, but the United States declined to join the League, mainly from business instinct."
The "good generalship" of General Washington was an important part in the winning of
independence. Generals Grant and Sherman were "leaders of the first rank." Lincoln, "if
it were possible, came out of the civil war a hetter man than he was when he entered it."
The book compresses much information in a small space.