Search

Comments on problems and injustices in book reviewing and book criticism in the U.S. criticizing several American critics. Emphasis on the struggles of artists and thinkers to maintain their freedom and independence; Disfavor of critics to certain writers; Criticisms against literary critics namely, Irving Babbitt, Paul Elmer More, Van Wyck Brooks and J. Donald Adams; Author's criticisms on misrepresentations in book reviewing, petulance and unintelligibility; Expression of morality, social issues and religion in literature; Author's views about writers who fight for their convictions in their writings and published works.

Baseball is being tied to, business and entertainment. Baseball is not dying. The investment in the game, and its indirect business value, as well as the fact that it has sunk institutionally into American life, preclude the absolute death which a few have predicted for it. But it is changing and losing its preeminence in American life. This is the essence of the crisis in baseball. It appears that baseball will inevitably occupy a lesser place in American life than it did in the past. Time, and many factors besides the policies of owners, will determine what that place is to be.

This article presents the author's views on a boxing match between boxer Joe Louis and Max Schmeling. Boxer Joe who was dark-skinned danced and pranced cautiously about the ring facing a man who seemed clumsy Louis, feinting with the snap of a trained, perfectly coordinated boxer, seemed to possess an almost insolent confidence. He maneuvered to let go with that deadly one-two punch, a left to the body, and a murderous right cross to the jaw, which was calculated to sink Schmeling quickly into a state of retching if temporary paralysis.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues. Comment on the article "Some Letters After 1848," in the February 8, 1939 issue related to French novelist Gustave Flaubert's letters; View that the whole esthetic anti-bourgeois movement, of which Flaubert was one of the principal representatives, did not of course begin with 1848 rather it was a development of early nineteenth-century romanticism; Information on an open letter to Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia of New York City related to anti-Fascist demonstration in front of the Rivoli Theater; Criticism of the article "Is the Capital Strike Over?" published in the February 15, 1939 issue related to utility capital; Views of the editors of the journal on deliberate strike of capital and new investment in utility capital; Comment on the review of Liddel Hart's book "Through the Fog of War," by George F. Eliot in the December 7, 1938 issue; Views of Eliot on his review of the book and writer Lewis A Dexter's criticism of his review; Comment on the editorial "Diagnosing Hitler" in the February 8, 1939 issue related to dictator Adolf Hitler and European affairs; Information on some books which progressive-minded Americans in the Oregon rural areas say have had an influence on their ideas and opinions.

Presents letters to the editor on political issues, published in this issue of the periodical. Reference to an article by Leo H. Lehmann about the Catholic Church in politics; Resurrection of the National Recovery Administration; Comments on Malcolm Cowley's two articles "Partisan Review," and "Red Ivory Tower," in the October 19 and November 9, 1938 issue of the periodical; Reference to an article in the August 31, 1938 issue of the periodical on effective work done by William Mangold for the North American Committee to Aid Spanish Democracy; Review by Arthur Gayer of Alvin H. Hansen's article "Full Recovery or Stagnation?"; Announcement by Senator John McCarthy of New York City of a dinner in honor of U.S. reformer John Haynes Holmes.

Presents several letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in the previous issue. Reference to futility of an inquiry into the justice of the Moscow, Soviet Union trial; Statement regarding the charges on Leon Trotsky, commissar of war in the Soviet Union; Acknowledgement of the work and ideals of James Branch Cabell, a novelist; Information regarding the problems of overproduced crops and soil depletion in the U.S.; Statement that federal and state forest services are seeking wider public understanding of the cause, effect and prevention of forest fires; Comments on features of the National Lawyer's Guild; Description of the work of the Agro-Joint in Russia; Appeal regarding increments in wages; Reference to the review of Paul Gauguin's "Intimate Journals"; Information that a number of Pittsburgh educators, labor leader and professional people have established several workers' schools in the industrial towns around Pittsburgh; Applause for Robert Allison Evans' poem, "Coal Cracker's Song."

Focuses on the literary controversy that has developed in the Communist press following an article by Isidor Schneider in "New Masses". Problem of conscience formulated by Schneider; Manipulation of character and events in terms of the needs of political expediency; Marxian premises concerning the class basis of ideology; Political overtones and attacks on writers; Repression of the saturated feelings of writers; Acceptance of ideological dictation.

The article focuses on the concept of naturalism expressed in novels with emphasis on writer Emile Zola who is usually characterized as the father of modern naturalism. the book The Experimental Novel, by Zola which is cited by critics as the gospel of literary naturalism is described. It is mentioned that Zola was opposed to the supernatural as the supernatural has been demonstrated as unreal by the science.

Details the author's childhood fascination with the game of baseball. Changes in the game's rules; Impact of technological developments on the game; Difference between baseball during the author's childhood and baseball of the 1970s.