Brothers of the Snow, by Luis Trenker. Translated by F. H. Lyons. 16 plates, 247 pages. London: George Routledge & Sons, 1933. Price 10s. 6d.

To those of us whose knowledge of the German language consists of but a meagre smattering of ‘Ski Heils!’—‘Grüss Gotts,’ and the inevitable chorus of ‘Ach! Du lieber Augustine…,’ comes the welcome news that Luis Trenker’s popular ‘Kameraden der Berge’ has been translated into English, but under—alas! the less inspiring title of ‘Brothers of the Snow.’

Mr. Trenker tells the story of his varied life to date, in a refreshing and vigorous style, and with a delightful sense of humor, that portrays for us in lively colors, scenes from his boyhood, spent for the most part in climbing about among the superb Dolomite peaks of his mountain home in the Grödnerthal, first as an adventurous and likable young scamp, and later, though still in his teens, as an experienced and highly capable professional guide.

In a dramatic account of an attempted first ascent of the north face of the Furchetta, this fascinating collection of rock-climbing tales reaches its climax, and the scene shifts abruptly to the Austro-Italian battle front in the Dolomites, where during the years of 1915-18, Mr. Trenker saw active service with the famous Austrian Kaiserjäger Battalion.

Then comes a series of wartime recollections, described with such rare vividness as to place them among the outstanding chapters of the entire book, the latter portion of which has been devoted to incidents occurring in connection with various film activities. While these contain much that is of interest to the Alpine photographer and film enthusiast, the anecdotes included prove to be far less absorbing than those previously recorded.

In his concluding chapter, entitled ‘Comrades,’ Luis Trenker pays fitting and splendid tribute to his many ‘Brothers of the Snow.’

C. L. R.