LAST THINGS FIRST

Third in the collections of his columns from the Chicago Daily News (Strictly Personal (1953) and Majority of One (1957)), the material, from the editorial page, here is ordered topically into the social animal, mind and passions, customs and taboos, children and parents, fine and vulgar arts, life of the spirit, words and phrases, and purely personal prejudices. His concern is for the curses of civilization -- and the possible cures, for the good life dependent on good human relations, and for self knowledge as a means of bettering one's self and the world around. From boredom, conventionality, communications and national sins, to good breeding, hate, intelligence and divorce; from privacy, conversations, patience, stress, education, to youth worship, child-centered society and parents, from literature, show business and creativity to language, English and words -- he says his say with forthright intent to stimulate, provoke -- and persuade. It makes for a pleasant, intelligent companionship.