RANDOLPH BOURNE
Coleman, Mcalister
Randolph Bourne RANDOLPH BOURNE, by Louis Filler, with an introduction by Max Lerner, published by the American Council on Public Affairs, Washington, D. C. $3, Revieioed by McAlister...
...Randolph Bourne RANDOLPH BOURNE, by Louis Filler, with an introduction by Max Lerner, published by the American Council on Public Affairs, Washington, D. C. $3, Revieioed by McAlister Coleman /"\NE COMES from this first full length biography of Randolph Bourne with mixed feelings...
...The factual sections of this over-documented biography might serve as an introduction to the collected works of Randolph Bourne, a volume sadly needed in those tragic times...
...War," he said, "is the health of the State...
...Friends and followers of that great spirit that passed away prematurely in 1918, may rejoice that Mr...
...When it comes to interpretation, Mr...
...Filler has conscientiously gathered the main facts about Bourne's all too brief career and by so doing renews an interest in the man and his works—a man whose crippled body and brilliant mind were known to the rising generation of World War I. Those same friends will reject many of the conclusions which Mr...
...Filler draws as to the significance of Bourne for this generation—especially in regard to Bourne's mature rejection of the State, which seems to grieve both Filler and Lerner...
...Those who knew Bourne understood clearly enough that it was the war-making, tyrannical, exploitive State which he rejected...
...Filler's prediction, will find much meat...
...Since both seem to be thoroughly reconciled to the present bloody business of war, it is hardly fair to the memory of Bourne that they should be the ones to write his life...
...That it is too red for the biographer is evident enough...
...This of course is sacrilege to the two men who attempt interpretation of Bourne...
...The whole account of Bourne's attitude towards the last war is warped by the complacent attitude of Filler and Lerner towards the current struggle...
...However, even among those over-cautiously selected passages from Bourne's always stirring writings, the men of the '40's, contrary to Mr...
...Filler is fatuous, when he is .not a million miles from the mark...
Vol. 8 • January 1944 • No. 2
