Reading Memorial High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Reading, MA)

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CHRI STMAS 19 3 9 1 he adventures that this master seaman encountered in the tranquil waters of the Pacific are nothing short of amazing. The author gives vivid pictorial descrip¬ tions of the terrific sea fights undergone by Hornblow- er’s sturdy little frigate. The plot is ably complicated by the entrance of Lady Barbara, a young English noble¬ woman who is seeking passage to England. The hero’s adventures continue in the service of England in the war with Napoleon, the despotic Corsican. His career is marked with brilliance and with a genteel capacity for leadership. He wins the recognition of his king for valuable services rendered to the crown. Finally there is a happy ending through his reunion with Lady Bar¬ bara. This book is a book principally for masculine tastes. It is crammed full of valuable as well as thoroughly exciting adventure. C. S. Forester put a tremendous amount of research into “Captain Horatio Hornblower”, and it justly deserves all of the credit that the popular literary critics have given it. Boys, if you want to satisfy your lust for adventure books, read the present favorite among historical novels—“Captain Horatio Hornblower”. Irving Holcomb “REACHING FOR THE STARS” “Reaching for the Stars” is a story of Germany during the past four years. The author, Nora Wain, lived there with her husband, who was studying German music, and so was able to observe the customs of the German people very thoroughly. After being in Germany for a little while, Nora Wain naturally became interested in the government, of the country and in comparing it with ours. She points out that Hitler has the majority of the people supporting and worshipping him as their leader. Although the} realize that he has persecuted the Jews, murdered the innocent, and monopolized free speech, they say noth¬ ing because they feel that unless they abide by what Hitler says they are doomed. This book shows that all s not war, sorrow, and grief in Germany, however. On the contrary, the German people are a very industrious and ambitious group, who are loyal to their fatherland They take an immense pride in their forests and high¬ ways, which are the most beautiful in the world. Nor; Wain has a great admiration for them, which shine through this book. She presents interesting descrip¬ tions of many German customs and recreates on papei the atmosphere of Germany just before this war began “Reaching for the Stars” is especially to be recom mended because it presents a trulv unbiased picture o Germany, the most discussed of modern nations. Grace Bowers “THE COUNTRY LAWYER” Young Bellamy Partridge writes his first book about his father and about his home town. In this semi¬ biography one is able to discern clearly the author s nostalgic attitude toward the childhood that was his. Old Bellamy Partridge (the country lawyer), Mrs. Partridge, and the horde of little Partridges laboriously copying in longhand case records, wills, and probates on the dining room table, are presented very clearly and simply to us. Prospective lawyers of today should consider themselves fortunate and thank their lucky stars they were not born in the 1800’s as was this coun¬ try lawyer. In that by-gone era, a lawyer was not only a lawyer, but also a doctor, a storekeeper, a fireman, a setter of styles, a politician when times necessitated, and a philosopher always. “The Country Lawyer” has headed the list of popu¬ lar non-fiction for several weeks. For its directness, simplicity, and humor, it is truly an enjoyable piece of literature. Mary Maling “THE PATRIOT” Almost everyone who enjoys reading has a t one time or another made the literary acquaintance of Pearl Buck. Almost everyone, accordingly, knows that she is famous for books like “The Good Earth” and their de¬ pictions of Chinese life. Her latest book, “The Patriot”, is of special interest to her followers because this time Pearl Buck uses not only China but also Japan as back¬ ground material. “The Patriot” is both a stirring love story and an attack on war. It expresses Chinese life and Chinese people in a way that does not conceal their weak¬ ness and decadence. It is at the same time a book which tells of Japanese life, of Japanese individuals and what has happened to them and why. It is not, however, a bitter book nor in any sense propaganda. Nor is anything concealed of Japanese brutality when discipline relaxes. “The Patriot explains fully the resurgence of a new China and the heroic determina¬ tion of spartan Japan. Donald Hitchcock “ESCAPE” “Escape”, by Ethel Vance, is a recent novel about the situation in Germany and its ellects on those living in that country. In the course of the story, people from our country become involved in a very serious plight and have to strive to save themselves. A young Ameri¬ can goes to Germany to rescue his mother, who has been condemned to death for treason to her country. He has three friends to help him and thev have to outwit the army of German officials. Bv means of a daring plan, these people endanger their own lives to help this woman to escape from the country. “Escape is a good book to read now because it deals with a subject that most of the world is interested in. It is an exciting stor written in such a vivid man¬ ner that it captivates vour interest and holds your at¬ tention from the first page to the last. Lillian Davies Continued un page 38 T uenty-one

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“TAKE IT FROM ME” A best seller, but not so renowned as its author, is the 1939 publication “Take It From Me”. Certainly everyone has heard of Neal 0 Hara! He’s been a sports writer for the Boston Post, a columnist for the New York Evening World, a scenario writer in Hollywood, and now is a writer for the Boston Traveler. What com¬ muter doesn’t look forward to Neal O’Hara’s “Take It From Me” column every evening? What would the sub¬ scribers to the Traveler do without those three daily questions and that daily joke? This book has no theme, it has no struggle; it is merely a collection of curious and unique facts, which are organized into specific chapters and interspersed with jokes and favorite questions and their answers. In the chapter “All About Yourself”, for example, we learn that “While you’re sleeping, your brain becomes slightly smaller and your body a trifle larger.” And in “Around the World”, a story is told of a French banquet to twen¬ ty-five thousand mayors and dignitaries of all France, where the set-up was so vast that the head waiters had to ride around on bicycles to make sure the service was proper! Today most people seem to enjoy a book which they can pick up and read at any time without missing part of it. “Take It From Me” certainly fills the de¬ mands of this hurrying age. Because it includes such varied fields, it will appeal to everyone, particularly those who are interested in the unusual, the incredible. If you have the Ripley type of intellect, read “Take It From Me”. Betsy Foxcroft “NEXT TO VAFOR” “Next to valor, the best qualities in a military man are vigilance and caution,” Brigadier General James Wolfe said in an order issued to the troops before Que¬ bec in 1759. On that statement, “Next to Valor”, by John Jennings, is based. The author’s vivid portrayal of the hardships endured by Roger’s Rangers, a scout¬ ing faction of the Provincial army at one time, and of the excitement of their hard-won victories must produce in the reader of a new and profound admiration for these men. Jennings brings home vividly the high standing of Wolfe, both as a man and as a leader. The main characters are James Ferguson, his fam¬ ily. and his friends. The last stand of the Jacobites against England, in which Ferguson’s family partici¬ pates, and the French and Indian War furnish the early and main backgrounds for the story. This book appeals primarily because it is full of action from beginning to end. Furthermore, it presents glowing accounts of the life and times in Scotland during the heyday of Bonnie Prince Charlie, as well as abundant description of places in New Hampshire and other New England states familiar to most of us. “Next to Valor”, a recent favorite of library pat¬ rons, has a strong appeal to those who like historical novels. Carolyn Campbell “CAPTAIN HORATIO HORNBLOWER” C. S. Forester has produced exciting reading in his “Captain Horatio Hornblower”. The book itself is fic¬ tion, although the background is historical. The story is developed around one Horatio Hornblower, a captain of the frigate Lydia in his majesty’s navy. The story starts in the Pacific Ocean at a time when England was at war with Spain. T wenty

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THE PIONEER V o Cedars and sober spruce against a wood that glistens With every design old Nature’s paint brush knows; Forgotten road that snow has richly carpeted, Where drifts lie and rough brown bracken grows; And silence—utter! save that somewhere near A gentle “click” catches the wailing ear. Drumming of noisy wings ’mid startled trees; Against the sky a swift pattern weaves; Guns roar profanely, and with crumpled wings birds fall: Plump, speckled bodies on a waiting carpet of white; And after—feasting! song and hearty drinking, A rich Christmas feast for one more year. David St. Hilaire A PRAYER FOR PEACE Across the seas the cannons shriek and roar; ’Neath ocean waves and high in heaven’s blue, Torpedoes strike and winged lightings soar: And hosts of clear-eyed youths and fathers too, Do march and wheel and fall to rise no more; Destruction-dealing Mars has loosed his crew, And earth once more is soaked with ruddy gore! But here in this fair land our hearts are true To principles laid down in days of yore By Pilgrim fathers, who did seek to do The right: to live, to love, to worship, to adore The God who knew nor slave, nor sect, nor Jew. May he who rules the nations grant release To hates—that all may love the “Prince of Peace”. Wallace Haselton ANOTHER MORN If I could lonely wander through a dell In summer when the dew is freshly strewn Like sparkling diamonds from a spendthrift moon; If I could hear afar the morning bell And list the echo of its distant knell, And hear the warbling birds their songs attune, And see Aurora then the world festoon With colors bright that weave a magic spell— All loneliness forgot, I’d happy be. The beauty of the bells, the birds, the dawn, The sweetness of the sights and sounds to me Would surely bring to mind another morn When you and I, dear heart, dreamed happily. So, memory would make me less forlorn. Kathryn Conron DEW I like to go out walking In the morning by our pond; The dewdrops seem like jewels Scattered by a fairy’s wand. They glisten on tall white iris In beauty beyond compare, A nd all the other flowers Seem proud to hold their share. Even blades of grass, with their shining heads, Twinkle like stars at night. But the dew that is caught in the spider’s web— Ah, there is the wondrous sight! Betty Parks NO PEACE ON EARTH The telephone rings-ring, ring; Somebody knocks-knock, knock; Horns toot-toot, toot; Hens squawk-squawk, squawk. Sonny drums-drum, drum; Beating, beating-tap, tap. Everybody’s making noise, While I’m trying to take a nap! Nancy Holcomb A PUPPY’S AWAKENING A bustle is heard on the stair at dawn; Then there’s a scratch at the door; I open one eye and give a delicate yawn. While foot-pats are heard on the floor. A small black ball seems to fly through the air; It lands in the middle of the bed; I don’t even breathe; I wouldn’t dare, For the rascal might be misled. A cold wet kiss upon my cheek; I open my eyes with a start. I wouldn’t disappoint this tiny sneak, For it would break his heart. He’s ready for his morning play; His eyes are full of glee; I pretend I’m asleep, to his dismay— He makes a whining plea. I wouldn’t part with this morning routine For all the joys in the world. I feel as wealthy as any great queen When this little black ball is uncurled. Barbara Davis T wenty-two