Sooner or later this had to be done, for Cooper was too important to the American literary scene to be lost because of the dating of some of his writing. And lost he has been to today's youngsters. Think what they miss- without Leatherstocking, Chingachgook and Uncas in their consciousness. Allan Nevins has done yeoman's service in extracting from the five Leatherstocking Tales those parts in which Natty Bumppo plays his part. He has followed his story from youth on the New York frontier in King George's War to death on Western prairies when Jefferson was president. And he has achieved his goal, for Cooper should be significant once again as part of youth's heritage. The illustrations by Reginald Marsh in line hold the flavor of the century old text. Libraries- public and school- will want this. And the interest won't be confined to youngsters.