Important to Students and Readers of History.
By Editor
For a long while we have been wishing that there was in print a good historical atlas, one that we could heartily recommend to our ministers, to college students, and to our people and the public generally. An atlas is as essential to an understanding of history as it is to an understanding of geography. But a common geographical atlas is of little use in the study of history even a few years back, and is of much less use when studying medieval or ancient history. On the other hand, an atlas of ancient times is good only for the study of ancient history and is useless for either medieval or modern history. What we have long wished to see is a historical atlas giving maps of the different countries at all the principal periods of their history, from ancient times to our own day. And now, we are happy to be able to say that in "Labberton's New Historical Atlas and General History" our wish is gratified. This atlas is all that could be desired in this direction. In a brief notice such as this must be, it would be impossible to portray a tithe of its real merit, but we shall try to convey some idea of its worth. Beginning with the beginning of history, it gives in a series of one hundred and ninety-eight maps the history of the principal nations from ancient Egypt and Chaldea to the United States. The beginning and the growth of each of the great empires—Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome; the division of Rome and the development of the nations of medieval history; the empire of Clovis; the empire of Charlemagne; the empire of Otto the Great—the Holy Roman Empire; the Mahomedan Empire; the empire of the Mongols; and the different countries of Europe through all periods of their history down to 1886, are all mapped in clear, bright colors, on pages 7½x10½ inches. And each country retains its own color throughout, so that if desired the history of any single country can be followed clear through at once, by simply turning a few leaves. The history of the United States is mapped from the first discoveries and settlements, through the times of the English patents and grants; the times of the French and English struggle; and the times of the original thirteen States, down to 1886. In addition to all these maps there is printed an excellent outline of the history of all the nations that are mapped. Besides all this there is a chronological table of the principal events of each nation, from Sargon I. of Chaldea to the death of General Grant; twenty genealogical tables of the principal houses that have ruled in history from Alexander the Great till the present day; an index by which the account of any person, place, or event, can be found in a minute; a table of contents, and a list of maps, and the maps are all clearly numbered and dated at the top of the page. Not the least valuable feature of the book is the splendid list of works for reading or reference upon the history of any nation or period. We might easily write pages of commendation and not exhaust the subject. Of course the book is not perfect, as no human production is. There are a few points at which we think correction might be made with profit, but they are so few that when we view the great merit of the book as a whole, it would seem almost like carping criticism to speak of these minor defects. Any single feature of the book, which we have named, is worth the full price of the book. And the book, taken altogether, simply transcends all praise. It is invaluable to every student, and must be seen and studied to be appreciated. From what we have said the reader might suppose that the price would be so high as to put the book beyond the reach of those of moderate means. Well, if the price were graduated according to the worth of the book, it would be so, but it is not. The price is as admirable as is the book, being only $2.50. It is surprisingly low-priced indeed. For sale at this office. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, California. Get one of the books, and in it get the latest and best aid to the understanding of history that there is in existence.