Welsh Journals

Cambridge Ancient History, Vol VI. Cambridge Press, 30s. net. This latest instalment of this great work is devoted mainly to Macedon, and to the work of Alexander the Great. The volume opens with Persia, which, after the decline of Athens, emerged into new im- poitance under Cyrus. What little is known of Persian history alter Plataea and Mycale is told, followed by an account of the famous march of the Ten Thousand. The weakness of Greece is then dis- cussed, and the decline of Athens, Sparta, and Thebes described. Their disappearance .prepared the way for the rise of Macedon. There are excellent chapters on "Judaism," by E. A. Cook, "Greek Political Thought," by Ernest Barker, and "Greek Art and Architecture," by J. D. Beazley. W.W.D. National Character. Ernest Barker. Methuen, 10s. 6d. net. This volume is an expansion of the "Stevenson Lectures" delivered by Professor Barker at Glasgow in 1925 and 1926. In them he has turned from the field of Greek political thought, of which he is the greatest living exponent, to the even more interesting problem of national character. The object of the lectures is to trace the operation of the various factors, material and spiritual, which affect ot determine the development of national character. In the earlier chapters the material of race, climate, and occupation are treated; in the latter the spiri- tual factors of law and government, language and literature, religion and education. The reference of the whole volume is particularly to England; and it is thus largely concerned with the development .)f English national character and with the forces by which it is being moulded or affected to-day. There are ma,nv references to Wales, several of them of ex- treme interest. The book exhibits the massive learn- ing of which its author is known to be the owner, and even more his originality. We remember Dr. Barker's controversy with Prof. Pollard over the question of "research"; in the course of which he declared tnat his prayer was not to know more facts, but to understand better those facts which he already knew. That is the distinctive value of all Dr. Barker's work; he helps us to understand better his torical facts which we already know. That is the rarest, aind most difficult, function of the historian. Readers of this book will rejoice to know that by resigning the Principalship of King's College, ana accepting the Chair of Politics at Cambridge, Prof. Barker will henceforth be free to pursue those lines of enquiry which are peculiarly his own, and which no other man can pursue so well. W.W.D. From Bismarck to the World War. Erich Branden- burg. Oxford University Press, 21s. net. The World Policy of Cermany, 1890-1912. Otto Hammann. Allen and Unwin, 12s. 6d. net. Defeat has caused the historians of Germany to turn the light of criticism upon their own past; and in these two volumes they have done so with absolute honesty, and with characteristic thoroughness. The work of Professor Brandenburg is the best account of European diplomacy before the war which has as yet appeared. He is one of Germany's greatest scholars, and for the writing of this book he has made an exhaustive study of the secrets of the Berlin archives. After a short and sympathetic account of Bismarck's achievements, he proceeds to an eb- haustive criticism of those of his predecessors. His verdict is one of condemnation but he does not flinch from it, though as he tells us he wrote "often in anguish of heart." He brings out clearly, what previously had only been surmised, that the practice grew, under the Chanoelorship of Bulow and after- wards, of keeping many vital matters secret from the Kaiser, who, later, was confronted with situations for which he was not responsible. On most points the Kaiser seems to have formed sounder judgments than his advisers. From this work two conclusions must irresistibly be drawn-(l) That there was never any intention on the part of the German Government to provoke a war. (2) That, short of intention, the German Government did everything that was anost likely to provoke & war. Dr. Hammann's book is different, though hardly less authoritative. He writes from personal ex- perience gained by long employment in the German Foreign Office. The book is lighter, more readable, less documented, and better adapted to the taste of the general reader. His conclusions do not differ materially from those of Brandenburg. W.W.D. The Problems of Peace. Oxford University Press, 10s. 6d. net. This volume is the first of what it is hoped will be a series of annual publications to record the pxo- ceedings of the Geneva Institute of International Relations. The Institute holds a Summer School at Geneva every August, to which all men and women who are interested in International Relations may go. In this volume we have the lectures delivered at it last year. Mr. Zimmern lectures on "The International Mind" and "International Intellectual Co-operation"; Professor Rappard on "The League as an Historical Fact"; M. Paul Mantoux on "The League Council"; Sir Arthur Salter on "Economic Reconstruction"; Senor de Madariaga on "Disarma- ment"; ^r. Wolfers on "Germany since Locarno"; Mr. C. H. Rowell on "Foreign Policy of the United States"; Mr. Farbman on "Foreign Policy of the Soviet Republics," etc. Many of the lectures are of the utmost value, and they are all written by the men who are actually at the wheel. No one who claims to be interested in international affairs, and especially in the League of Nations, should neglect this book. W.W.D. Other books received: — "Annette and Sylvie." Romain Rolland. (Butter- worth, 7s. 6d. net). "The Life and Faith of the Baptists." H.. W. Robinson. (Methuen, 5s. net). "The iteligion of an Optimist." Hamilton Fyfe. (Sconard Parsons, 10s. 6d. net). "Christian Social Reformers of the 19th Century." (Student Christian Movement, 7s. 6d. net). "The Reformation." Charles Beard. (Constable, 10s. 6d. net). "General Disarmament or War." Rennie Smith. (Allen and Unwin, 3s. 6d. net). "Groeg *• Testament Newydd-Oyfrol I." Hudson Williams. (Hughes a'i Fab, 2s. 6d.). "Passion and Peat." Chateaubtriant. (Butter- worth, 7s. 6d. net). "The New Past." Carter. (Oxford: Basil Black- well, 5s. net). "The Social Revolution in Austria." C. A. Macartney. (Cambridge Press, 5s. 6d. net). "Bolshevism, Fascism, and Democracy." Francesco Nitti. (Allen and Unwin, 7s. 6d. net). "Lay Sermons." Margot Asquith. (Butterworth, 7s. 6d. net). "The Struggle for the Rhine." Stegemann. (Allen and Unwin, 12s. 6d. net). "Peacock." J. B. Priestly. (Macmillan, 5s. net). "Meanwhile." H. G. Wells. (Ernest Benn, 7/6 net). "Due Reckoning." Stephen McKenna. (Butter- worth, 7s. 6d. net). "Memoirs of H. A. Morgan." Iris Osborne Mor- gan. (Hodder and Stoughton, 10s. 6d. net). "Captain John Smith." E. K. Chatterton. (Bodley Head, 12s. 6d. net).