special value, as it puts on record an authorltative recount of the Sino-Japanese hostilities {0 the occupation of Nanking, and, in a preface, gives a summary of some of the more important events that occurred after that historic' capture, which brings the volume up to date. With the constantly changing political panorama this country duc to the war, It can be understood that the editor of the China Year Book hada very diMeult task In preparing this volume, Toehnieal dimeultics arising out of the nature of the fighting round Shanghai also contributed to making the preparation of the work an almost stupendous business. Tt is, therefore, matter of congratulation to the compiler, Mr. Hi. G. W, Woodhead, that the volume should stand In so little need of excuses for errors and ibis for omissions that could quite justifiably bbe brought forward, 'The China Year Book for 1938 Is, indeed, a remarkably complete and accurate' work, With the country in a state of Aux-many of the most Important lines of com= munication in Japanese hands, the coastline all Dut closed, "industries wrecked, and whole provinces under the control of provisional governments that draw their inspiration from the {nvader—it is well nigh impossible for anyone to dive a complete picture of conditions at the moment. The Year Book, however, pretends fo be nothing more than a guide and informant, fand it fulfils these functions to admiration. {sa volume which can be described without exaggeration og an essential in any offi.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.