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BOOK REVIEWS 333 On a point of fact-Renan was not an ordained priest, according to records available. We have been impressed by the arrangement, the plan, treatment, completeness , and coverage. In the five parts we have fifteen chapters with over fifty subdivisions. In addition to 877 .pages of text, there are a preface, 6fl pages of notes, separated from the body of the book, a select bibliography covering 18 pages and an index of 20 pages. It has been well planned and executed. It is to be regretted that the physical aspect of the book does not match its contents. The paper and binding are poor indeed, and the blurb may as well never have been written. In fact, it is a definite liability. In conclusion, it would not be amiss to quote a few words from Wilfrid Ward, adopted by Professor Harrold for use on the page facing his Preface. Here they are-" Newman, of all men, needs students of active and original and penetrating minds to detect and elaborate the pregnant suggestions of a poetic thinker who had not the habit of scientific statement. Like the slave of Midas, it has been said, he often whispered his secret to the reeds." Nmo York City, New York. M. J. O'CoNNOR, O.P. A Catholic Looks at the World. By FRANCIS E. McMA.HON, New York: Vanguard Press, 1945. Pp. x +884 with bibliography and index. $2.75. There is nothing misleading in Dr. McMahon's title. He literally takes tlie world in his grasp and ranges far and wide over botli the speculative and practical field. Combining personal reminiscence with philosophical disquisition, he looks at the world as he finds it, pointing out what is wrong with it and suggesting what needs to be done to make it right. So wide a range inevitably leads to a certain diffuseness, and the personal anecdote is used so sparingly and incidentally that it has no marked effect on the structure of the book. Here perhaps it should be noted that those who turn to the book expecting denunciations will be disappointed. The tone throughout is mild, and the author has scrupulously abided by his intention, announced in the preface, that he did not want to offend anyone. This does not mean, however, that the book is without a central purpose and unifying theme. The book faithfully mirrors the position that Dr. McMahon has staked out for himself in public opinion in recent years, and its " message " has been on the whole faithfully reflected in the reception given it by the secular papers. The New Republic reviewer, for instance, characterized it as " the credo of an American Catholic liberal," and this pretty well " hits the nail on the head." For the deepest purpose of the 884 BOOK REVIEWS book is to unite and integrate the meaning and ideals summed up in the three words, " Catholic," " American," and "liberal." Dr. McMahon's contention is that there is no necessary contradiction among them, and his hope for the future lies in the possibility of their fruitful union. It is the joining of " Catholic " and " liberal " that has aroused the controversy about Dr. McMahon. Yet it would help immeasurably to clarify the issues in this controversy if its " American " character were emphasized before either the " Catholic " or " liberal." For in America the conflict between Catholicism and liberalism never reached the point that it did in Europe. There are many reasons for this, but certainly one of the most important is that liberalism in America has never obtained any clearcut definition. This is very evident from Dr. McMahon's treatment of liberalism. The closest he comes to defining it, in its present American form, is in describing it as " a grand passion for the welfare of humanity " which entails "mass-education," " anti-slavery movements," " penal reform, health programs and trade-union legislation," etc. (p. II2) . No American " liberal," so far as I am aware, has made the slightest objection to this characterization of liberalism, and, indeed, it is typical. Now the position of the Catholic Church towards liberalism, in so far as it has been defined in Papal statements against it, always has reference...

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