WHAT'S THE BIG HURRY

The story of (Uncle) Dan Waxman has again the tenderness of this author's previous books of Jewish life (Poor Cousin Evelyn (1951) and The Good For Nothing (1953)), the same understanding and the same vitality. Told by the nephew, Uncle Dan's climb to wealth is fast, as his reputation for honesty as an accountant brings him clients and friends in Chicago. He skyrockets with the Drexel public utilities account- and falls as fast when fraud is proved but, although he is cleared, ostracism drives him to New York. Restlessness sends him to Europe, to be the patron of youthful art, to try living near his daughter but it is not until his beloved, loyal Sarah's heart attack that the real answer is found -- to return to Chicago. Mulish, logical, quick tempered and excitable, Uncle Dan and his family and friends are an exuberant exhibition of indestructible middle class in all their extremes of emotional living.