CHARGE!

A retired Army man with many books to his credit now tells the story of the Spanish-American War, and especially of that great charge against heavy odds up San Juan Hill, which won the War and became a legend in U.S. history. The details of the events leading up to the War -- international tension, then the sinking of the Maine in Havana harbor---create an excellent stage for the story of the fight itself. How a special volunteer force was raised and trained, how it fought at El Pozo and San Juan, and how it dealt with disease, heat, and other hardships, are a credit to the American spirit. General Shafter, William Randolph Hearst, and other notables are described briefly in the story. The only drawback to this spirited little book is the author's sometimes unfortunately pompous style. Certain ambiguities exist, certain faults, which slows the reading of an excellent story. The book, especially as it deals with Cuban-American relations and events leading up to the War, will be of special interest in light of the present Cuban situation.