The Annual Register

Abstract

THE recent issue of this familiar book of refer-ence marks the hundred and eighty-ninth year of continuous publication. As a survey of the history of the world it has no equal. The editor is assisted by arradvisory board of six, nominated by various bodies, including the British Association for the Advancement of Science. Most members of this board, and also a large number of other writers, contribute to the volume, which is thus assured of authoritative articles. The arrangement and scope from year to year differ little. At home and abroad a dominating aspect of the history of 1948 was the challenge of Communism. Part 1 is a full, vivacious and unbiased history of the United Kingdom. It includes a striking chapter on the state of the nation in that trying year. Part 2 deals with the British Commonwealth, and Part 3 with foreign history. Part 4 contains a chronicle of events, some obituaries and reviews of literature, science, the arts, etc. The chapter on science is full and comprehensive and a great improvement on the scope of the review in past years. Several treaties and other public documents are given in full.

The Annual Register

A Review of Public Events at Home and Abroad for the Year 1948. Edited by Ivison S. Macadam s, assisted by Huge Latimer. Pp. xvi + 515. (London, New York and Toronto: Longmans, Green and Co., Ltd., 1949.) 42. net.