BOOK DEPARTMENT
Members of the Institute, both regular and associate, may save money by ordering books through its Book Department, which will supply any obtainable book. A discount of 10 per cent is allowed on books published by the Institute, and 5 per cent on books of other publishers (government and foreign publications excepted). Address Secretary-Treasurer, U. S. Naval Institute, Annapolis, Maryland.
THE CAPTAIN FROM CONNECTICUT. By C. S. Forester. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. 1941. 344 pages. $2.50.
Reviewed by Professor Charles Lee Lewis
The Captain from Connecticut is a book which will be read with pleasure and profit by everyone interested in American naval history. Though the hero, Captain Josiah Peabody, and his ship, the Delaware, are quite fictional, Forester’s historical setting has been attended to with such care for correct details that the reader constantly has the feeling that he is reading an account of actual historical episodes of the War of 1812. It is, accordingly, for this historical background, usually not to be found in naval histories, that the book seems most valuable to this reviewer, aside from its being a very entertaining story well told. Forester is at his best when at sea, whether the Delaware be running the British blockade in a snow storm or playing havoc with enemy shipping in the Caribbean. Women do not enter the story until somewhat more than a third of it has been finished. The love affair which then develops is the least convincing portion of the book. Perhaps Peabody’s sudden marriage to the daughter of a Marquis, Governor of Martinique, would not have seemed so extraordinary if the Captain had been portrayed as belonging to a New England family of higher social standing.
The highly partisan British naval historian, William James, might well turn over in his grave at the sympathetic treatment given by Forester, an Englishman, to the American side in the War of 1812. But readers over here will be pleased at this additional evidence of the growing warmth of Anglo-American friendship and understanding. The choice of the Island of Martinique as the central point in the setting of the story is another noteworthy example of the awareness of the author that the world of 1941 is a vastly different one from that of the year 1812.
AMERICA CAN WIN. By Major Mal- com Wheeler-Nicholson. New York: The Macmillan Company. 1941. 246 pages. $1.75.
Reviewed by Lieutenant John N. Johnson, U. S. Naval Reserve
This book, which favors immediate American entry into the war, is interesting and readable; in fact, parts of it are as exciting as any novel, especially when the author draws a graphic picture of a world dominated by Nazi armies and ideas.
As the foundation for his argument, he pictures our vulnerable situation and shows that present plans will only partially correct it. In this connection, he stresses our weakness in the Pacific and advocates a determined policy in the Philippines.
He next takes up Britain’s ability to carry on alone with “all aid short of war” from us. After picturing what we must face alone if Britain falls, he shows what we should do as soon as we declare war. He admits that we must send an expeditionary force overseas, but he recommends that our men be placed in quiet zones to release British troops for use on the Balkan front. Some of his most interesting writing covers this possible use of our forces.
He advocates the controversial unified air force for us, but he is willing to wait for it to come. He blasts Colonel Lindbergh and other flyers who have preached a policy of isolation.
The book is timely and provocative, and it presents a question that America may soon have to answer.
SOCIAL CASE WORK IN NATIONAL DEFENSE. By Dr. Pauline V. Young. New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1941. 292 pages. $2.50.
Reviewed by Mrs. Harry A. Baldridge
This is a book dealing with the present- day situation—our new national defense mobilization and the difficulties arising among the families of the young men so suddenly called to the colors and the resultant disruption in the family life.
Dr. Young shows a fine understanding and comprehension of the difficulties of the ordinary family suddenly plunged into the maelstrom of the Defense Program. As she puts it, “Strife is the symbol of the breakdown of normal relationships.” She cites instances of conditions where sons have gone to army camps and young husbands have left brides to handle new problems alone: “babies coming, the fear that expansion of defense activities will cause shortage of household products and raise cost of living, increased taxations and curtailment of minor comforts and luxuries.” She illustrates how a social worker can lessen these fears and inspire hope in a new social order.
The author makes her book easy to read by giving many interesting case histories of families and individuals interviewed and how the social worker by her training has been able to handle with sympathy, gentleness, and understanding the most difficult cases so as to bring out the urgent needs— the cases being handled so that they give the information required to obtain the greatest amount of help.
Dr. Young also gives excellent suggestions to the social worker in the handling of financial problems of families seeking assistance. She advises the worker to become familiar with the provisions of the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act of 1940 and be able to interpret the making of an allotment to a service man’s family, his government life insurance, compensation claims in case of disability, death, or injury.
Another section of the book gives valuable advice concerning the families employed or about to be employed in defense industries and their problems of moving to new locations where exorbitant rents obtain, schools are inadequate, and many families find that they are forced to live in tents, shacks, or trailers. Furthermore, the new-found increased pay envelopes will not cover their expenses. Examples of budgets supplied by relief agencies and how these may be expanded or curtailed accordingly to the needs of the families using them are also set forth, illustrating for example that a Jewish family’s need of food differs from a Mexican’s type of food.
The social worker is shown how to assist the service men in their adjustments to their new environments; that there are those who are doubtful of their ability to “fit in” and to “make the grade”; and that there are others who take up the challenge and subject themselves to extremes of exertion, even to the point of exhaustion, to show that they “can take it.” The social worker brings these two types together in social contact and the stouthearted men bring the weaker men much help and moral support, thus creating a balance.
It would seem to the reviewer that this book would be of inestimable value to any social worker for its many references and suggestions, especially to the beginner, and also as a refresher course for those who are picking up social work after a period of inactivity.
MILITARY AND NAVAL RECOGNITION BOOK. By Captain J. W. Bunkley, U. S. Navy. New York: D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc. 1941. 297 pages. $2.50.
Reviewed by Commander K. J. Christoph, U. S. Navy
With the United States rapidly expanding its navy and enormously increasing its draft army, uniforms are appearing everywhere. Many citizens cannot recognize the various uniforms, let alone interpret the numerous insignia and distinguishing 1 marks worn thereon. Likewise many members of one military or similar public service have difficulty with other services.
To satisfy the widespread interest and to make available in one book full information on this interesting subject, Captain Bunk- ley opportunely revises and brings up to date his original manual published 20 years ago.
His book is more than a military and naval recognition book, including in its 297 pages descriptions and 72 plate illustrations, in color as appropriate, the following:
Chapters on the organization of the services of the United States—our Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey and Public Health Service; their composition and functions; and the rank, precedence, etiquette, and customs in each service.
Complete data on the uniforms, insignia of rank, and distinguishing features of the various branches of each service with their flags.
The duties and functions of each branch of the services, and the duties of the personnel in that branch, together with their rank and functions.
The decorations, medals, and ribbons of the United States, when and how they were authorized, to whom and for what they are given.
Famous foreign decorations and medals with the story of their authorization and their significance. A complete chapter on foreign uniforms and their insignia of rank.
In addition to the above are chapters on officer’s calls, types of naval ships, and combat aircraft markings of the various nations.
Captain Bunkley has gathered into this excellent manual information not found so completely in any one other book. It is highly recommended to anyone who has a desire to be informed on this timely and interesting subject. To officers it is particularly valuable.