M. MAUROIS writes a rather diffident preface to his new
book, one directed at possibly critical American readers. But it would be a curmudgeon who would say that his modesty is called for " as he has lots to be modest about." For this is, for two-thirds of the way, a useful piece of vulgarisation. Two-thirds of the way, for the section dealing with modern America is too brief, the scale of the book alters for the worse. M. Maurois's view of American history is not original, but he has a happy knack of verbal illustration. (There are excellently chosen contemporary prints and photographs to aid the text.) His history is mainly political history, but " culture " gets a fair share of attention and personalities are often made living with the skill we are accustomed to. This is a book of modest pretensions, and it will not rank at the top of M. Maurois's works ; it gives the impression that, though he knows America well, he has not been at home in it as he once was in England. For the reader who wants an easy introductign to a fascinating story, this version can be commended.
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