book reviews
group fwqueneies," much ncw data has hccn accumulated. This ncw data has greatly improvcd t,hc certainty with which m m y nf th,, rorrelxt,ions can hc applied ilnd has hclpcd in our understanding of them. Rcoausc 1 . h ~discussion in this book is limitcd to vibrat.ions which are csscntiallv ~lnmuplrd from other vibrations in t & molerulc, most of thc emphasis is placed on modcs involving either a hydrogen atom or a multiplc bond. Few of the rcfcrcnces from tha original volumt: apprar in thc new work; hence it, shoulcl bc regarded as a supplement and not, a wplaecment.
D. I,. Powmr. The College OJ" Wooster Woosler, Ohio 44691
Macromoleruler of Living Systems
H . S . Rhinesrnilh. Alleehenv " Colloee -, Mesdville, Pennsylvania, and Luigi A . Ciofi, University of Naples, Italy. Ikinhold Book Corporat,ian, New York, 1968. xi 164 pp. Figs. and tables 1.7 X 22..i cm. $4.75, paperbound.
"Locabed a t the top of Group I V of the periodic table [earboo] with four electrons in its outer shell has nothing t o lose, ~ ~ o t h i ntog gain and everything t o yhare, electronically, in order t o satisfy its craving far symmetry." "With a n e x e w of COr, nature also continued t o convert the insoluble carbonates to soluble bicarbonates and t h e r e fore must assume the responsibility far creating 'hard water'." Although I happen t o have little sympathy with the views expressed, my main objecbion t o these statements in the context of this brief review of the structure of biologically important molecules is that they contribute little to the exposition. They do not provide a unifying theme which might aid the reader in trying to assimilate the information contained.
G E O ~ GE.E HMN Elementary Science Study Educational Deuelopmenl Center Newlon. Mass.
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This book reads as if i t were the detailed lectnre notes for a rather dull one semester course for seniors or first year gradnste students. The autham discuss the structrwe (and a little of the chemistry) of all (he major biological macromolecules: lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids. There are also chapters on some basic facts and principles of organic chemistry, on amino acids, and on the genetic code. A chapter on atomic str~tctore appears t o be totally irrelevant t o the rest of the book. The authors aim is to "consider the relationships between monomers, polymers and macromolecules primarily from the stroetural point of view. We shall omit from consideration the biosynthesis of thcse molecules and most of their specific metabolic functions." The maim e h a ~ t e r s do outline the
I,. .I. Bcllo,,ry, F:zplosivcs ilescarch and 1)wclupmmt Establishment, Ministry of Tarhnology. Mcthucn h Co. Ltd. Dist.rilmtrd in thc US by 13rtrnes & Noble, Inc. sii 304 pp. Figs. and tables. 14.5 X 22 ror. $10.50.
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This Imok is a supplcmcnt to Dr. Bellamy's e a r l i e r w o r k "The I n f r a - R e d SpcrLra of (hmplcx hlolceulcs." Although, as 1 h . Ilollamy says, "t,hc essential facts tlmt il rontxins have not, ehangcd, and n c hwva lilllr. IWW in thc way of important,
Selected Pa-
Warren Weaver, Alfred P. Sloan F o w dation. Foreword byGeorgeW. Beadle, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Basic Books, Pnblisher, New Yark, 1967. xvi 295 pp. 14 x 21.5 cm. $5.95.
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When a scientist is asked by s. nonscientist, "Just what is i t yon do," he can have no refuge in technical language nor in t,he descriptions of specifics. The penetrating questions of the thoughtful layman &en lead the scientist into what he has to admit is 8 "philosophy" of science. If this is intellectual territory never before explored, the scientist ends up looking silly either in his dogmatism or his ignorance. Few scientists, busy a t their work, have the time or inclination to read the theology or philosophy familiar to their adversaries in these arguments. This book is one way out. of their dilemma. Warren Weaver is a great man. This book reveals why this is so. I t is not an in the more extensive organic chemistry autohiogrsphy, yet its fascination lies in t,exts, but i t is assembled more compactly t h e essentially personal way his eonhere. The information is not ormnised in vict,ions come through. Here is a n anany novel way or in a manner which sugswer to the "two cultures" problem: an gests new insights, nor is i t illuminated articulate seientist-humanist-citizenby any speeisl expertise or point of view statesman whose own career has been a that authors might bring t o the subject. "bridge" and whose writing can help The anthorn have "attempted to condense bath the scienbist and nan-scientist to and summarize the latest structural it,keep issues in focus. formation. . for stndents who need both Three chapters explore the "What is review and briefing on current topics." Science?" theme. Two examine the canThe book may serve as an effective uade temporary aspects of t h e science-andmecum for some. religion partnership. (How better eonld The one identifying characteristic of the i t be said than, "To pray far peace of book is a pseuda-philosophy which results mind appeals to me as a rsther unpleasant it) some bad rhetoric and expresses a insult to the God of the restless cell, of the teleology and persorification of nature. blazing novae, of the swirling nebulae, Statements like the following can be found: the God of progress, not of stagnation?") "There appear tu be law and order in Two chapters reveal the depth of his creation, pat,tern and selection in WOILL- thorights about mathematics and eomtian, stroct,ure and design amalrg the mmication theory. The final chapter on macromoleei~les; there also seems t o be a Lewis Carroll shares his fascination of unitarian philosophy guiding bath nature Alice and her creator. and the development of man's scientific knowledge."
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Advances in Infrared Group Frequencies
Science a n d Imaginafion. pers of Warren Weaver
