"Inside the German Empire." By Herbert Bayard Swope. 400 pages; 16 illustrations. Price $2.00 net. (New York: The Century Company, 1917.)
An interesting outline of existing conditions from within the German Empire as seen by an American and set forth in a dispassionate style flowing; with the undercurrent of the German point of view.
Mr. Swope expresses no personal opinions nor draws conclusions as to final outcome. He visualizes the present every-day life in the heart of the empire and strikingly records facts collected along the western battle lines. His manner of presentation is most stimulating and is a decided relief from the usual treatment of the many side lights on the great war.
H. S. C.
"Examples in Alternating Currents." Volume I. F. E. Austin. Second ed. 220 pages; illustrated. Leather, $2.40. (New Hampshire: 1916.)
The introductory pages of this book present those principles of geometry, trigonometry and calculus which are of most importance in electrical engineering; following these examples in pure mathematics there are given 57 electrical problems well chosen to illustrate the fundamentals of alternating currents. A number of pages are devoted to tables which provide short cuts in arithmetical work.
The diagrams, always an important part of an electrical problem, are especially helpful, and the explanations of mathematical processes are so clear as to make this book valuable both to students who have the guidance, of a teacher and to those who are attempting to study electricity by themselves.
J. B. A.
"How to Make Low-Pressure Transformers." Prof. F. K. Austin. Third ed. 29 pages; illustrated. 40 cents. (New Hampshire: 1916.)
This book tells very completely, and in simple language, how to construct a transformer to reduce the pressure from no volts to about 8 volts, as a minimum, for experimental purposes.
The author explains, step by step, how to construct a highly efficient transformer having a ring-shaped core and a secondary winding provided with taps for producing a variety of voltages. Directions are also given for building a transformer having a rectangular core, with coils wound on removable bobbins in order that the effect of various windings may be studied.
Calculations are made to determine the cost of operation, to explain such terms as efficiency and regulation, and to show how the design may be modified where it is desired to operate the transformer on 220 volts.
J. B. A.
"The Boy's Book of Famous Warships." By William O. Stevens, Professor of English, United States Naval Academy. 236 pages. Price $1.60. (New York: McBride & Co., 1916.)
To write in a simple, familiar way, and yet to avoid the condescending, "Now my little readers" style, is the achievement of not every book for boys. Mr. Stevens' present volume has this merit; and, like his Story of Our Navy (Harpers), it does worthy service in gratifying the eagerness of youngsters for books about battles and about the sea.
Taking his examples from all periods, and writing from ample historical knowledge, the author gives a good bird's-eye view of naval warfare from Salamis to present times. Down to the Victory or even the Monitor, the famous ships are also typical war-craft of their periods and fought in battles of historic importance. From this point of view, it is unfortunate that the Emden, whose exploits are related in the last chapter, is not a better example of modern naval progress.
From an international standpoint, also, the book may appear a bit one-sided. Of the 14 ships whose careers are outlined, six are British and six American; but there is no representative of Holland, France, or Spain, though these nations in their day were formidable rivals of Britain for sea control. Were the ships nameless in which the elder Tromp and De Ruyter first made naval warfare a science and fought valiantly against England and her allies? For the sake of variety, would it not have been well to chronicle the five or six hard-fought engagements of Suffren's flagship Heros, in which the greatest of French admirals shook British power in the East, and once inflicted on his opponent losses exceeding those of the Victory at Trafalgar?
But in naval matters, Britain has always claimed the lion's share; and since this book is for American boys, it is no doubt right that half of its pages should be devoted to the stirring deeds of our own ships, from the Constitution and Essex to the Alabama and the little Hunley—the first successful submarine. The book closes with an axiom that time has not deprived of its force: "It is still true now as it was in the days of the oar that the things that make a man-of-war famous are the courage, initiative, and skill of the officers and men who fight on her decks."
A. F. W.