The Liberation of Mankind (Harrap, 7s. 6d.) by Mr, Hendrick
Van Loon tells the story of man's intellectual freedom in a simple—sometimes almost flippant—style. There is no doubt that the book will be widely read and do some good, for its short sentences contain much sense. " Nonsense, like dynamite," says Mr. Van Loon, " is only dangerous
when it is contained in a small and hermetically-closed space, and subjected to a violent impact from without," and " the human race is possessed of almost incredible vitality. It has survived theology. In due time it will survive Industrialism. It has lived through cholera and plague, high heels and blue laws. It will also learn how to overcome the many spiritual ills which beset the present generation." While not agreeing in detail with the author's inferences, we applaud the general scope of his work. There is a definite liveliness about this volume which may annoy or may enthral us, but at any rate it makes us read and remember Mr. Van Loon. He likens authors to siege-gunners handling the artillery of the printed word against an invisible target : some of his own missiles may be " short " or " over," but some strike the reader bang between the eyes.
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