Hanover Browsing

FOR THIS special issue I have asked several undergraduates for their recommendations. They follow as far as space permits.

Donald A. Alvarez '47, who hails from Chicago and who served three years in the Navy, ending up as a Lieutenant (jg) with two battle engagements under his belt, recommends Contemporary American The-ology by Vergilius Ferm: "Ferm, in this collection of essays, has as his central theme progressiveness. The why and how of present-day changes in Protestant religious the ories and practices are expounded in many different ways inasmuch as it is a collection of autobiographical essays. The author tells us how the Protestant churches are becoming more and more liberal with every passing day, while Roman Catholicism stands alone 'as the Gilbraltar of traditionalism. He speaks of this change with scorn, and later outlines some progressive steps in a manner that seems approving."

James M. Tyler '47, from Hamden, Conn., overseas fifteen months out of twenty-seven spent in the Army as Technical Sergeant, recommends John Steinbeck's The Wayward Bus in glowing terms: "I can't remember when I've enjoyed a book as much as I did Steinbeck's latest. I think it is, without question, the best thing he's done. I don't know of any other writer who can depict character more unerringly, more vividly, more remorselessly I think that Steinbeck is a truly great writer and I think that this is his masterpiece."

Henry Garlick '43, from Sharon, Pa., a married veteran, formerly a naval pilot who has returned to finish his studies, writes briefly of a book that will appeal to lovers of the outdoor life. The book is Good Shot by Bob, Dan and Ray Holland, and he writes of it: "The nimrods and trout anglers will be unable to resist this one. Contains 172 photographs of wonderful moments in hunting and fishing. The pictures are accompanied by descriptive captions crammed with interesting and useful information but always warmly and interestingly written. The photographs are by Bob, Dan and Ray Holland, and the text is by their father, Ray Holland, former editor of Field and Stream."

Albert E. Winkler Jr. '44, from Springfield, Mass., who served as a non-com in the European theatre, recommends two books: Eric Hodgins' Mr. BlandingsBuilds His Dream House and Christopher LaFarge's The Sudden Guest. Of the first he says, "It offers humorous relief to an already discouraged group of potential builders. Mr. and Mrs. Blandings start out with a budget which should have been sufficient for the land and remodeling. .... But Fate and shrewd Yankee business men unite to give them many headaches and heartaches before they are able to become 'countrified.' " Of the second book he says, "It is a short historical novel which tells the story of the New England hurricanes of 1938 and 1944, and their effects on the egocentric character of an elderly woman The reader is always interested."

Leo F. Caproni Jr. '42, of New Haven, Conn., who started as a private and ended up as a troop carrier pilot, serving in the Pacific area it Guam, Tinian, Saipan and Iwo Jima, has been moved by John Hersey's stirring and momentous book Hiroshima. He writes: "The importance of this document lies in the simplicity of its message. A magnificent piece of reporting which condenses the whole frightful act of warfare into the word 'murder.' Told in terms of individuals who lived through this first great catastrophe of atomic warfare, it has an appeal for and can easily be comprehended by the multitudes. The actual power of the book can only be realized through a continued and wrathful reaction of its readers against the waging of wars and killing of men, be they soldiers or civilians. We face not merely the fact that atomic warfare is so horrible but also that war itself is so completely devastating and that the next might be the final blow to humanity."

William B. Enwright '4B, from Escondido, California, has been reading Tolstoy's A Confession and What I Believe. In this small volume (complete in the Oxford World Classics) Tolstoy attempts to solve the meaning of his life, and in spite of fame and fortune, he finds it devoid of purpose, enchantment, or meaning. "In his quest," Enwright writes, "Tolstoy inquires into his own mind, his reason, the philosophies of the greatest minds the world has ever produced, science, and finally God in all the greatest religions The graphic story of his quest, the way stations in his search, the ultimate peace of mind he achieves, produces a highly interesting story, a story all intelligent men must live and experience before the end oftheir lives."

William S. Brown Jr. '45, of Dedham,Mass., who spent eleven months aboard adestroyer in the Atlantic, says that theywere fortunate to have on board a copy ofEmory Reves' Anatomy of Peace, of whichhe says, in part: "A well written, extremelyimportant message to us who are now living in the early stages of the Atomic Age..... Mr. Reves attempts to solve the problem in his book: to set up a world government based on universal law. The bookdoes not solve the problems we face todaybut it is a step in the right directiontowards harmony among men. 1 urge allthose who have not read it to do so atonce."

R. D. Welch '47, from Chicago, who entered Dartmouth as a V-12 and who has now returned to finish up after serving as an Ensign in the Pacific on an LCT, recommends Vincent Sheean's Personal History. I can only quote what he says in part, as space is short: "Personal History gains its importance through the vivid personalities portrayed: Abd el-Krim, Borodin, Madame Sun Yat-sen, and others. The contemporaries of the author did not catch the meaning of his ideal a world where personal bias is left aside and where ideas are viewed in star-like clarity. This naive old world went rolling right along on the road toward war." Bob also recommends Sheean's Not Peace but aSzvord.

R. W. Hathaway '45 of Somerset Center, Mass., has been much interested in reading Huxley's Point Counter Point, still finding it appropriate to our times. J. E. Fox '48 of Wakefield, Mass., found George Millar's My Past Was an EvilRiver a revealing picture of a small Bavarian valley under the influence of the newly-crowned victors. I regret that lack of space forbids use of further comments by these two men.