25 NOVEMBER 1916, Page 16

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

{Notice in this column does not necessarily preclude subse7uent review.] The " Daily Mall" Year Book for 1917. Edited by David Williamson. (Associated Newspapers. 7d. net.)—The "Daily Mail" Year Book may seem to have arrived somewhat early this year, but, owing to difficulties of transport and paper; those responsible for its publication were no doubt wise to be ahead of the times. An exceedingly

interesting article on the military lessons of the war is supplied by Field-Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood. From it we must quote the following wise and amusing passage :-- " The mistaken forecasts of our politicians as to the Kaiser's intentions have been nearly equalled by many of our leading soldiers on military questions. The most popular Commander-in-Chief of our Army. hought the days of cavalry were over, and he often said as there would be no more fighting with bayonets, the length of the rifle for a push was immaterial. It is curious to notice that in the trench warfare even butchers' knives and tomahawks, headed with spike nails, have been in frequent use by the enemy."

Other good articles are " Literature after the War," by Sir Herbert Warren, and "Our Present System of Education," by Lord Desborongh. Mr. Benjamin Broadbent writes on the vitally important question of " Infant Mortality."