838 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
countrymen to offer him acceptable examples of heroism and saint- liness" (p. 454)-
This summary takes no account of many digressions and collat- eral studies in themselves extremely able and illuminating. A brief but significant study of Lincoln, "government by lawyers" (p. 137), acute characterizations of Bryan, Jerome, Hearst, and Roosevelt, rapid, suggestive surveys of England, France, and Germany, a keen analysis of the Monroe doctrine, a discussion of the international peace movement, the control of corporations, regulation by com- missions, the recognition of labor unions, the weaknesses of civil- service reform — all fall within the limits of the book. Several of these subjects are frankly called digressions; all of them are germane to the chief purpose. In one sense the materials of this book are largely familiar. It contains nothing startling — unless an obvious skepticism as to the sanctity of the constitution and open- mindedness about federal centralization and possible government assumptions of monopolistic functions are to be so reckoned — and little that is actually new and original. It is in the arrangement and interpretations of the facts and ideas that Mr. Croly makes a con- tribution of undoubted value. In a style, always clear, frequently picturesque, and occasionally eloquent he sets forth convincingly the task which the past imposes on the present to plan nationally for the future. The book chimes with many significant notes which are being sounded in these days. The author appeals to the efficient few through whom he hopes to influence the many.
Although Mr. Croly uses no technical terms, makes no allusion to social theory and might resent any suggestion that his book is tainted with social psychology, it is nevertheless true that he con- stantly offers comments and points out principles which are of the greatest interest to those who are studying the phenomena of social groups and their forms of control. The book will take its place in the literature of group psychology as well as among the best studies of society in the United States.
George E. Vincent
Les Principes de ['evolution sociale. Deuxieme edition revue et augmentee. Par Dicran Aslanian. Paris: Felix Alcan, 1909. Pp. xxiv-}-296. Paper, 6 francs. In a somewhat personal preface the author describes the steps
by which a seminar paper on "The Role of Railways in the Develop-
