Text: Edgar Allan Poe (?), “Notices of McCulloch's Gazetteer, Frost's Book of the Army” and Valentine's Manual (A), from The Evening Mirror (New York), November 11, 1844, vol. 1, no. 31, p. 2, col. 3

[page 2, column 3, continued:]

This valuable work is just completed. We find no fault whit the bringing it out in numbers; but its value evidently is as a whole. For a book of reference to lie on the table or the nearest shelf, ever at hand, we know nothing better of its class. It is just the kind of work, where double columns and small print are not only justifiable, but commendable. As much information is thus compressed into a small space, and made more accessible; and the eyes are in no danger, since but little is read at once. It is invaluable, as a book of reference for those who have but little time to read, but wish to use that little understandingly and well.

The Appletons will shortly publish “The Book of the Army,” by Professor Frost, in a style to match the “Book of the Navy,” by the same author, which has rapidly run through five editions. The embellishments of the “Book of the Army” on steel and wood are superb. The battle pieces are by Darley, in his best style. Speaking of the Book of the Army, the Literary Bulletin says, this book gives a complete history of military operations and their causes and effects, from the opening of the Revolution to the close of the last war, with graphic descriptions of the celebrated battles and characters of the leading generals. It is illustrated with numerous portraits on steel, and views of battles. The importance of popular works of this class to which this and the “Book of the Navy” belong, must be obvious to all who recognize the value of national recollections in preserving a true national spirit.

A Book nobody should be without, is VALENTINE’S MANUAL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK — showing all its Institutions, Statistics, Divisions, Arrangements for Government, Conveniences, Resources, Streets, Public Officers, etc. etc. — certainly the most compendious, useful, and industriously-managed guide-book we know of in this country. No citizen should be without it.