14 DECEMBER 1912, Page 24

Simon Brandin. By B. Paul Neuman. (John Murray. 6s.)— Mr.

Neuman's new book deals with the Russian Jew, and inci- dentally touches on the horrors of the pogrom and the Jewish Pale. There are plots and counter-plots, spies, bombs, and assassinations in the Look, which is redeemed by the impressive figure of the hero, Simon Brandin. The struggle in his mind as to whether he is really bound for the sake of his country to assassinate his enemy or not is well described, but the reader will be curious to know what conclusion he would have come to if Count Loboff had not been shot by someone else. There is a love story in the book, but it is quite subordinate to the Semitic interest.