Chambers's Wonder Books (1) The Wonder Book of Volcanoes and Earthquakes (2) The Wonder Book of the Atmosphere (3) Electricity for Young People (4) Photography for Young People

Abstract

THE proper function of books of the type under review is to awaken interest in the boys to whom they are addressed. This may be accomplished by appealing to the boy's love of adventure or of animals; or the appeal may be to the constructional instinct, in which case the book should bring science into direct relation with the boy's interests and environment, suggesting to him possibilities of experiment upon his own account. On a higher intellectual level we have to deal with the lad who has reached a more mature stage of mental development and has risen to the height of strictly scientific interests. He now desires rerum cognoscere causas, and seeks knowledge in order to obtain intellectual control of natural forces. A valuable stage in his culture will be achieved if at this epoch we can give him an historical survey of the growth of scientific discovery. In such popular histories it is difficult to avoid excess of biography in the earlier portions, and excess of technicality as the present day is approached. Books dealing with boys' hobbies are numerous, and (we are glad to add) often enjoy success. Of the higher type of book—specimens of well-written, untechnical scientific literature—there is an undoubted lack to-day.

Chambers's Wonder Books. (1) The Wonder Book of Volcanoes and Earthquakes.

By Prof. E. J. Houston. Pp. x+369.

(2) The Wonder Book of the Atmosphere.

By Prof. E. J. Houston. Pp. ix+326.

(3) Electricity for Young People.

By Tudor Jenks. Pp. viii+317.

(4) Photography for Young People.

By Tudor Jenks. Pp. x+328. (New York: Frederick A. Stokes Co.; London and Edinburgh: W. and R. Chambers, Ltd., 1908.) Price 3s. 6d. each.