11 JUNE 1942, Page 22

MR. STRONG'S book is to be highly recommended, for it

fills a distinct need. Up to now the only short history of the United States that it has been possible to offer to a general reader has been the Cecil Chesterton-Brogan History ; but, as the reviewer has found from trying it out on a young refugee with a quota number anxious to " get up " America, it was too difficult and took too much previous political knowledge for granted. The maps and illustrations alone in Mr. Strong's book add to its usefulness, although it is written with much less distinction of style and less evidence of scholarship. It is only a pity that Latin America is throughout called South America.