Books: Beautee & the Beast

THE HUCKSTERS (307 pp.)—Frederic Wakeman—Rinehart ($2.50).

When Evan Llewelyn Evans, Beautee Soap tycoon, walked into conference, executives trembled and secretaries swooned. When Vic Norman took the dreaded job of handling Beautee's radio commercials for the firm of Kimberly and Maag, despotic Mr. Evans put on one of his most impressive acts. First, he spat on the conference table—to illustrate to Vic that no matter how disgusting a radio commercial may be, it's O.K. if it hits the spot. Then he emptied a carafe of water over the table (drenching the knocking knees of several...