THE REVOLUTION OF COLOR

Intended as the first of a series of volumes (published in cooperation with the Africa Service Institute of New York Inc.) to analyze in detail the major problem areas arising from ""the revolution of color,"" Dr. Melady's book attempts to define the subject at large and to set a tone of sober but intrepid optimism. ""I believe in man!"" he asserts on his final page; by this he means that he is confident that, despite their many great differences in culture, religion, and political interests, all the peoples of the world -- Mongoloid, Negro, Caucasoid -- can learn to live in harmony, bringing about ""a glorious sunrise that will burst forth with the new century."" Overlooking the rhetoric, one would like to agree. But the same facts and figures that Dr. Melady has arranged here to buttress his arguments for the possibility of peace could, just as easily, be converted to forecast the certainty of the ""world's greatest bloodbath."" His is an either/or approach to a complex subject which leads to oversimplification and the reliance on rather questionable generalities. Otherwise the book is reasonably good and there are valuable tables and appendices, and a fine list of recommended reading.