AMERICAN LITERATURE By BRANDER MATTHEWS, A. M., LL.B., Professor of Literature, Columbia University. Price, $1.00 P Any RESIDENT ROOSEVELT, in an extended and appreciative review in The Bookman, says: "The book is a piece of work as good of its kind as any American scholar has ever had in his hands. It is just the kind of book that should be given to a beginner, because it will give him a clear idea of what to read, and of the relative importance of the authors he is to read; yet it is much more than merely a book for beginners. student of the subject who wishes to do good work hereafter must not only read Mr. Matthews' book, but must largely adopt Mr. Matthews' way of looking at things, for these simply written, unpretentious chapters are worth many times as much as the ponderous tomes which contain what usually passes for criticism; and the principles upon which Mr. Matthews insists with such quiet force and good taste are those which must be adopted, not only by every student of American writings, but by every American writer, if he is going to do what is really worth doing. In short, Mr. Matthews has produced an admirable book, both in manner and matter, and has made a distinct addition to the very literature of which he writes." The book is amply provided with pedagogical features. Each chapter includes questions for review, bibliographical notes, facsimiles of manuscripts, and portraits, while at the end of the volume is a brief chronology of American literature. AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY (S. 91) By STRATTON D. BROOKS, Superintendent of Schools, Boston, Mass., and MARIETTA HUBBARD, formerly English Department, High School, La Salle, Ill. Price, $1.00 T HE fundamental aim of this volume is to enable pupils to express their thoughts freely, clearly, and forcibly. At the same time it is designed to cultivate literary appreciation, and to develop some knowledge of rhetorical theory. The work follows closely the requirements of the College Entrance Examination Board, and of the New York State Education Department. In Part One are given the elements of description, narration, exposition, and argument; also special chapters on letter-writing and poetry. A more complete and comprehensive treatment of the four forms of discourse already discussed is furnished in Part Two. In each part is presented a series of themes covering these subjects, the purpose being to give the pupil inspiration, and that confidence in himself which comes from the frequent repetition of an act. A single new principle is introduced into each theme, and this is developed in the text, and illustrated by carefully selected examples. The pupils are taught how to correct their own errors, and also how to get the main thought in preparing their lessons. Careful coördination with the study of literature and with other school studies is made throughout the book. The modern character of the illustrative extracts can not fail to interest every boy and girl. Concise summaries are given followingthe treatment of the various forms of discourse, and toward the end of the book there is a very comprehensive and compact summary of grammatical principles. More than usual attention is devoted to the treatment of argument. AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY (S. 88) INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN ARGUMENTATION By FRANCES M. PERRY, Instructor in English in Wellesley College. Price, $1.00 A N INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN ARGUMENTATION is intended for those who have not previously studied the subject, but while it makes a firm foundation for students who may wish to continue it, the volume is complete in itself. It is adapted for use in the first years of college or in the upper classes of secondary schools. The subject has been simplified as much as has been possible without lessening its educative value, yet no difficulties have been slighted. The beginner is set to work to exercise his reasoning power on familiar material and without the added difficulty of research. Persuasion has not been considered until conviction is fully understood. The two methods in use in teaching argumentation—the brief-drawing method and the syllogistic method-have been combined, so that the one will help the student to grasp the other. The volume is planned and proportioned with the expectation that it will be closely followed as a text-book rather than used to supplement an independent method of presentation. To that end each successive step is given explicit exposition and full illustration, and carefully graded exercises are provided to test the student's understanding of an idea, and fix it in his memory. The course is presented in three divisions; the first relating to finding and formulating the proposition for argument, the second to proving the proposition, and the last, to finding the material to prove the proposition-research. AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY (S. 103) By HARRY LYMAN KOOPMAN, A.M., Librarian of Brown University. Price, 90 cents IN N this book Mr. Koopman, whose experience and reputation as a librarian give him unusual qualifications as an adviser, presents to the student at the outset the advantages of reading, and the great field of literature open to the reader's choice. He takes counsel with the student as to his purpose, capacities, and opportunities in reading, and aims to assist him in following such methods and in turning to such classes of books as will further the attainment of his object. Pains are taken to provide the young student from the beginning with a knowledge, often lacking in older readers, of the simplest literary tools-reference books and catalogues. An entire chapter is given to the discussion of the nature and value of that form of printed matter which forms the chief reading of the modern world—periodical literature. Methods of note-taking and of mnemonics are fully described; and a highly suggestive and valuable chapter is devoted to language study. ¶ One of the most valuable chapters in the volume to most readers is that concerning courses of reading. In accordance with the author's new plan for the guidance of readers, a classified list of about fifteen hundred books is given, comprising the most valuable works in reference books, periodicals, philosophy, religion, mythology and folk-lore, biography, history, travels, sociology, natural sciences, art, poetry, fiction, Greek, Latin, and modern literatures. The latest and best editions are specified, and the relative value of the several works mentioned is indicated in notes. AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY (S. 106) GRAMMAR AND RHETORIC By MARIETTA KNIGHT, English Department, South TH HIS primer is the outcome of the need felt by many teachers in secondary schools for a concise and compact summary of the essentials of grammar and rhetoric. It is designed as a guide in review study of the ordinary text-books of grammar and rhetoric, or as an aid to teachers who dispense with such text-books; in either case it is assumed that abundant drill work has been provided by the teacher in connection with each subject treated. The work will also be found to harmonize well with the recommendations of the College Entrance Examination Board, which require that students should be familiar with the fundamental principles of grammar and rhetoric. The book is divided as follows: First.-Rules, definitions, and principles of English grammar. Here there are treated with great clearness, not only the various parts of speech, but also sentences, clauses, phrases, capitals, and punctuation. Second.-Rules, definitions, and principles of rhetoric. This part of the book takes up the forms of composition, narration, description, exposition, and argument, letterwriting, the paragraph, the sentence, choice and use of words, figures of speech, and poetry, the various kinds of meters, etc. At the close there is a brief collection of "Don'ts," both rhetorical and grammatical, many in Writing a Theme," and a very useful index. Helps AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY (S. 82) 2.106 |