1902
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
S E P ~ ~ U1931 R ,
The electron theory is briefly introduced in an early chapter dealing with the nature of matter and its changes and later the application of this theory to the subject of valence is more fully discussed. The book contains certain devices that not only are teaching helps but should aid the student to better understand the subject of elementary chemistry. Among these are: keyword chapter vocabularies given at the beginning of each chapter which certainly is an excellent idea; type problems t o introduce all mathematical relationships; chapter summaries which include the fundamental facts and principles studied; thought questions as well as many numerical problems; suggested projects with necesa r y references which should keep the accelerated student interested. I t is a book which the high-school student should find interesting, easy t o read. and from which he should acquire not only the fundamental principles but the practical applications of modemchemistry. EDWINL. fiEoER1CK
"Nitrogen fixation now lwms so large before the world's eye that it is given a chapter of extended treatment. So, too, is the subject of fuels. The later developments, such as the Bergius 'liquefaction of coal,' and the recent radical changes in petroleum cracking processes are discussed. "There has been no desire to omit the chapter on colloid chemistry, for that subject is growing with great speed, nor t o give any less attention to the important group of chapters on organic chemistly. including nutrition. "The student's vision, his intellectual horizon, is extended still more by the new chapter on photochemistry, something of an innovation in texts of this type. By photochemistry is here meant something more than photography and photosynthesis, although they are properly included in the treatment." The book is most commendable for the way in which i t handles the simpler industrial and commercial chemical pmce m s . I t will not be suitable for one who POXBST PAREHraa S c a o o ~ wishes a thoroughgoing theoretical textB A L ~ M ~ M.,~TL*ND R*, book. It is written in an interesting, Introductory College Chemistry. HARRY readable, and non-technical style, and N HoLMEs, Professor of Chemistry in should be best adapted to the use of eleOberlin College. Revised edition. The mentary students not likely to become Mamillan Ca., New York City, 1931. professional chemists. A new feature. viii 550 pp. 153 figs. 14 X 21.5 useful to the general student, is a table in the appendix containing the approximate cm. B.25. prices of various substances. This revised edition of the author's NORRISW. RAKESTRAW well-known text maintains tlie general BROWN UNIVEPSrTY policy of the preceding ones From the PROV~DBNCB, RHODB I%*ND very first the author has tried to follow a Chemistry for Students of Agriculture and middle course between the extremes of Rome Economics. ROBIN CHARLES conservatism and radicalism. The success BURRELL, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of of each edition has apparently encouraged Agricultural Chemistry, Ohio State him t o depart farther from the beaten University. McGraw-Hill Book Co., path, without, on the other hand, adopting Inc., New York City, 1931. xviii any fundamentally new plan of treat459 pp. 77 figs. 14 X 20.5 cm. ment of the subject. $3.50. "This revision keeps pace with the recent startling progress in industrial procThe book is written with the purpose of esses. For example, hydrogenation of presenting "a clear picture of the fundapetroleum and the newer metbods of mental theories upon which the structure making industrial alcohols are clearly of applied chemistry rests, and of showing presented. what chemistry means in practical, every-
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VOL.8, No. 9
190'3
RECENT BOOKS
day affairs." Although the hook presupposes a year's course in general chemistry, it starts with a brief review of the principles involved therein, and continues through a discussion of analytical and "thetic chemistry, organic chemistry, biological chemistry, and the application of all of these to problems of especial interest to students of agriculture and home economics. I t is a tremendous task t o include in such a small space this large volume of material, and to present the outstanding winciples in a briefly summarized form. The hwk is, as the author states, an "abstract of the field of chemistry" adapted to a special purpose. The author has rigidly selected his material t o indude the estahlished theories on which the science of chemistry is based, the important recent work on the structure of matter. hydrogen-ion concentration, the colloidal state, physico-chemical phenomena, and the excellent general discussion of biological principles and processes. In reading the text, one has the impression of mncise organization of material, of logical sequence, and, as the author intended, of an unusual adaptation of the subject to the problems which are met in daily life.
The author that is a demand for a chemistry course which may be given in a limited time and which will give students an appreciation of the methods of chemical analysis and a general knowledge which may be applied to their respective problems. For such a brief course, the text might be usable. However, students of home economics and would not be adequately equipped for the application of chemistry to problems they would he likely to meet unless they had a more complete course in organic and in analytical chemistry than is here outlined. N' M. NayLon IOWAS r m e CoLcaoa Ares, low*
The Principles of Organic Chemistry. JAMES F. N o m ~ s .Professor of Organic Chemistry Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. Thirdedition. McGrawHill Book Co., Inc.. New York City, 1931. xii 595 pp. 8 figs. 14 X 20.25 cm. 63.00. This has so widely used so well known that teachers and is it would seem unnecessary to describe here its purpose and srope, It was designed to meet the needs of heginning classes in the subject and in this has eminently successful, The great
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and sustained popularity the hook testimonial of has enjoyed is an the excellence of its general choice f, matter, the organization of the material, and the style of presents. tion,
In the new edition these features retained and the work has thoroughly revised particularly with re. spect to new developments, theoretical lines, however, the author has been more For taken of example, no advantage has the recent developments in the. ory; all bands are written alike, even in the ammonium compounds, and there is no indication that they differ in type, On the other hand, the theory of partial valence which has outlived its usefulness t o he emphasized. Large cyclic rings and the present status of the Baeyer strain theory are not discussed, The treatment of the Beckmann realtered. arrangement has not A conservative attitude with regard to the inclusion of theoretical developments is on pedagogical grounds. Certainly one of the chief merits of this textbook consists in the skilful handling or evasion of points which are so involved or of such value as he likely to confuse the be. ;---* 5L.L.L'>.
Against these few points which many will criticize adversely may he set a host of striking improvements. The nomenclature has been greatly improved; the problems are new and excellent; the q u a tions and structural formulas stand out very clearly on the page; the generaliza-
