The book review digest, volume 16, 1920

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

73004

Title

The book review digest, volume 16, 1920

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume compiles reviews of books published in 1920, offering a snapshot of contemporary literary and intellectual discourse. Edited by Mary Katharine Reely and Pauline H. Rich, it covers diverse subjects from peace treaties and eugenics to animal biographies and regional romances. The collection highlights works addressing post-war conditions, social change, and cultural shifts, providing valuable insights into early 20th-century thought and publishing trends.

Summary up to 500 words

The Book Review Digest, Volume 16, published in 1921, serves as a comprehensive annual cumulation of critical assessments for publications released in 1920. Edited by Mary Katharine Reely and Pauline H. Rich, the volume reflects the era's intense preoccupation with the aftermath of World War I, social reform, and the evolving role of literature in addressing complex global and domestic issues. A central theme throughout the digest is the emphasis on candor, factual accuracy, and the ability to engage both the layperson and the serious student. Significant attention is given to political and economic analyses of the post-war world. John Baruch's examination of the Treaty of Versailles is praised for its dispassionate look at reparation clauses and economic realities, offering a clear, uninvolved account that lifts the veil of secrecy surrounding the peace process. Similarly, John Foster Bassett's 'Peace Tangle' is commended for its detached spirit and superior evidence of freedom from party bias, providing a valuable evaluation of the treaty's application to actual political and economic conditions. These works collectively demonstrate the digest's focus on understanding the 'still smouldering furnace of human passion' that shaped the new international order. The digest also highlights diverse literary and ethnographic contributions. George Thomas Basden's study of the Ibos of Nigeria is noted for its interesting, though occasionally flawed, portrayal of African life, written by a missionary of wide experience and open-mindedness. In the realm of fiction, Sara Ware Bassett's domestic romances, such as 'The Wall Between,' explore generational feuds and reconciliation, offering wholesome stories that appeal to a broad female readership. Katherine Lee Bates' affectionate biography of a collie, 'Sigurd,' illustrates the volume's breadth by including animal biographies that enshrine lovable members of the canine race in thoughtful literature. Additionally, Henry Francis Prevost Battersby's novel 'Edge of Doom' presents scenes across England, East Africa, and the Western Front, while George Lincoln Walton's 'Oscar Montague—Paranoiac' embodies contemporary ideas on mental health and insanity. Practical guides for the general reader are also featured prominently. William S. Walsh's advice on sleep and dreams is presented as a popular medical text rather than a work of professional psychology, offering sensible hygienic suggestions for the sleepless. Sir Charles Walston's lecture on eugenics, civics, and ethics warns against striving for physical perfection without due consideration of character and mental attributes. Furthermore, the collection includes an anthology of modern poetry selected by Harold Monro, which aims to give pleasure and adapt to the tastes of almost any age, featuring works by distinguished living poets. Finally, the digest addresses social questions, including the changing role of women in the workforce and society, as seen in reviews of works discussing women's employment and social conditions. Through its wide array of reviews, the digest captures the intellectual climate of 1920, balancing serious historical inquiry with accessible literature and practical advice.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Reviews