A new -- in fiction- facet of the European scene -- a refugee center for dis persons, cross-sectioning many nationalities,- German, Hungarian, Polish, Gr so on, impinging on the nucleus of native Italians, and controlled by American and English officials of the AMG. Here in essence is the symbol of this dislocated world live in -- a confused and difficult picture, from which an impression emerges of forces of odds, the feel of unrest, dissatisfaction, crowding, jealousies, bickering, spite; of nation against nation, in miniature; of threat of violence, little dictators within groups, bullies, of occasional real spirit of leadership, of secret plotting for power. And below the surface, the planning for illegal entry into Palestine, known by most, acknowledged by none. The American who serves as Kommandant is an idealist- he takes terrific chances against the odds to make the people realize their interests are id though their approach be different. The central character in whose words the ster is told is an Hungarian Jew, Hugo, who serves the American whole-heartedly, and who becomes part of the tiny group that believes in him. While there are moments of dramabite of vigorous writing- emotional currents, the book as a whole seems more like a play, with characters seen only against a backdrop, not realized in the entirety of their inner conflicts. Perhaps it is for this reason that the appeal seems more to the head than to the heart. A book worth reading- but, like Marcus' Straw to Make Brick (see P. 677)- a book that will need selling.