HENRY GEORGE

That Single Taxers are still a fairly potent force is not generally known, but their numbers are few, their enthusiasm undimmed, and it is chiefly among them that this biography of their prophet will find a market. Outside of that assured market, the book should carry some appeal, though limited, to students of economic history and development. Henry George's daughter has given us a factual, self-effacing but devoted biography, while his granddaughter, Agnes de Mille, provides an introduction. Despite a nepotism which might be suspect, the man and his principles are presented in the best possible light but without undue pleading. The very effort to be objective has resulted in loss in warmth of anecdote and personal experience. She tells of her father's boyhood and schooling, his training as a printer, as a sailor, his early days in California. But primarily this is the story of a cause, of George's devoted pursuit of his principle, through writings, pamphlets and journals; through carrying the gospel to England, to Ireland (where he aided the Land League), to Australia. His political aspirations and the New York mayorality elections, the McGlynn case, etc. As primary sources she has tapped George's own writings, personal letters, contemporary opinions, newspaper articles, and so on. A competent, scholarly approach, of limited interest.