THE REAL BERNARD SHAW—Maurice Colbourne—Dodd, Mead ($2.75).
The first third of The Real Bernard Shaw is biography; the rest is mainly comment and interpretation. The book is no world-beater in either respect. But thanks to abundant quotation from Shaw, who is almost as gifted a phrasemaker as Shakespeare, and to a graceful supporting performance by the author, it has its pleasant uses in both. The biography affords glimpses of Shaw during the 40 years before he began to advertise himself. The commentary, in its disarming enthusiasm, should serve as a persuasive reintroduction to readers for whom Shaw's powers have worn thin.
Biographical items:...