Most history books written for children tend to treat their
subjects almost exclu- sively in terms of personalities, battles and dates. The method of this book (Methuen, 8s. 6d.) is less limited. It provides the necessary outline of political development (not always altogether satis- factorily), but it breaks new ground in combining with this an excellent account of the social life of the common people, and the effect on it of scientific develop- ment and improving modes of govern- ment, throughout the whole period with which it deals. The authors combine a genuinely philosophic grasp of their theme with a narrative technique that is admirably suited for the tastes of juvenile readers. The illustrations are well chosen, and the pictorial diagrams which they introduce admirably point the text. This book is not designed, and indeed is neither sufficiently comprehensive nor sufficiently accurate, to be a substitute for existing books ; but it should provide very useful supplementary reading.
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