AT THE age of five Bertrand Russell's favorite hymn was "Weary of earth and laden with my sin." At the tender age of eight he hated life and was continually on the verge of suicide. He was restrained from any such self violence, however, by the desire to know more mathematics. Be emerged from this adolescent slough of despond to enjoy a happy and fruitful manhood. In "The Conquest of Happiness" Mr. Russell lays down his method in achieving this amazing metamorphosis with the hope that his experiences may be of some use to the world at large.

Most normal people are not bowed down by the woes of the universe at the age of five: nor are most normal people buoyed up by the unromantic hope that they may learn more mathematics; but many are "weary of the earth," and some are "laden with their sins." For these "The Conquest of Happiness" was written. It is not profound or ritualistic dogma; it is not a conquest built upon mechanical logic; it is the philosophy of a happy man expounded for everyman. In the book there are many truisms and many time worn panaceas for the jaded spirit, but they are set forth with a vigor and a clarify that lend a new vitality to them. Mr. Russell also draws from his large experience to give timely suggestions and advice, that will be valuable to the few who follow it.

The book as a whole is logically conceived and gracefully written. There is a particularly delightful chapter in which the author riddles Mr. Joseph Krutch until he has nothing but his name to stand on.