INDIAN PATCHWORK

An enlightening book, at times a repulsive book, on the India encountered by whites who go there to teach and help the natives. The material is drawn from the diaries and notes made when Mr. Charles was principal of a large, mixed Hindu-Moslem University College in Central India, 1927-1928. One feels, in reading the book, that no white man or woman can tackle the problems created by superstition, the caste system, the filthy ignorance and indifference of the masses. It will take native philosophers, artyrs and scholars to accomplish it through generations of re-education. There is no attempt made to generalize on conditions. It is specifically a personal experience book, and as such carries conviction. The ease of reading is considerably hampered by the incessant use of initials and dashes to indicate names. Otherwise the subject matter is absorbingly interesting, entertainingly presented and never heavy handed.