An important book, in that Elihu Root, over a long life span, was closely connected with so many facets of American life that any biography of him makes a definite contribution to the national picture. This is a thorough job, from the angle of his legal and political career. Through his practice as one of the leading lawyers, he came in contact with many important problems concerned with an expanding nation. As a cabinet minister, first Secretary of War, later Secretary of State, he made important contributions on many fronts, -- he put through the General Staff, he reorganized the diplomatic service, he contributed immeasurably to the settlement of the fisheries problem, he shaped our colonial policy and our Pan American position. His relations with Theodore Roosevelt, with Taft, with other world figures made him prominent in international as well as national matters. This is a careful study, thoroughly documented. But it lacks the human spark, it is factual rather than anecdotal, Root the man, rarely emerges from Root the lawyer and Root the statesman. Two volumes, boxed.