need is found among advanced high school students who wish additional detail over high school text, freshman college students seekine a "haw-to-da-it" aouroach. and uooerlevel students wanting a bnmd qualitative uverview of bonding theory before plunging inu, quantum-merhsnirsl studies. The Table of Contents of this edition differn from the first edition for four entriea.The changes reflect expanded coverages in the discussion of the structures of metals and semieonducto~,electron delocalization a t metal ligand bonds in coordination compounds, and the addition of a section on silicatea and glasses. Eliminated is the treatment of the Jahn-Teller effect. Most of the text is identical to the first edition except for the three expanded sections. Other minor changes reflect "editing" forclarity. The new type and different method of separating sections and presenting section titles contribute to a more readable text. The list of references at the end of each chapter is expanded by at least fifty percent, and this reviewer feels that the expanded list makes the book more effective in fulfilling the needs of the expected audience. The problem sets from the first edition have been screened and edited carefully and the number of problems increased. The problems represent an expanded coverage of the skills that are expected and for which drill is provided. S I units are used throughout. The teachers and students who have used the book in the past will undoubtedly find this new edition exciting. The increased clarity, expanded reference lists, and new problem sets will attract additional users from advanced high school students and college students seeking "rules." It is doubtful that many new converts will be found from the groups of readers that wish quantitative, non-comprising presentation. The text shbuld be of interest where the required readings for a course consist of several paperbacks. The author makes a favorable presentation of the subjects he has chosen to cover.
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W. F. Arendale The Univemllyof Alabams In HMhvills MmDvlile, AL 35807
Volume eight contains monographs on seventeen drugs. The choice of drugs for inclusion seems random. Chemically and pharmacologically the drugs hear no obvious resemblance, although six of the seventeen could be classified as antibiotics. The covered drugs range from analgesics to anticonwlsants in biological activity and from simple aliphatic acids to complex high molecular weight heterocyclic molecules in structure. While such variety may make for interesting reading, this variety may be at the expense of limiting the usefulness of a single volume as a reference source. The drugs included in volume 8 are aspirin, hromocriptine methanesulfonate, ealeitrol, chlortetracycline hydrochloride, dobutamine hydrochloride, erythromycin, gramicidin, griseofulvln, halcinonide, hydralazine hydmchloride, calcium leucovorin, methimazole, nalidixic acid, neomycin, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, triprolidine hydrochloride, sodium valproate, and valnroic acid. These volumes were written by analytical chemists from industry and academia. Alt h a u ~ hthe style of presenting the material may vary from author to author, the content of the analytical profiles in of quite consistent quality and thoroughness. A typical profile consists of an introduction, drug description, method of synthesis, physicochemical properties. methods of aualitative. auantitative and chromatographic analysis, determination of impurities, information on stability and degradation, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and bioa~ailabilit~. Emphasis is placed on presentation and interpretation of infrared, ultraviolet, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectra. The literature is referenced extensively and many of the authors have provided additional unpublished data generated in their laboratories. Drug profiles ere reproductions ofthe author's typewritten manuscript. Illustrations and drawings of chemical structures, which are apparently reproduced in the form submitted, vary somewhat in clarity andform of presentation. Overall, the print is easy to read, and all the chapters are free from annoying smudges, erasures, and overtyping e,T"?s -. .-. .
T o date, 148 analytical profiles have been published. Even though this accounts for only small proportion of the number of drugs in use, these "olumes represent an important reference source for the scientific community. Patrlck S. Callen
timely subjed, one of the must vitaliasues of our immediate future. Prufessors Lippmann and Schlesinger write in an understandable style, directly and clearly. For each chapter there are from one to five dozen references and a six page list of supplementary readings in the (only) appendix. The index is a good and useful one. Just a little reflection upon the title will indicate how comprehensive a task has been taken on by these authors. Yet the book is just 450 pages long and therein lies the had news. The result is spotty, sometimes detailed, sometimes superficial, mirroring perhaps, the way contamination situations occur and are treated in our society. Food additives are discussed on only one page and the winning of aluminum from its ore is discussed on four pages, for example. Nitrates are referred to or discussed in 9 places in the book. I t is not clear for what audience the book is intended. I t could serve well as a textbook in a special course, although it doen not have all the amenities associated with a classroom textbook (questions, summaries, etc.). It is readable to anv educated nerson. Thus, it could serve well as a weful work for concerned citizens. To serve as a comprehensive reference work would require thousands more pages, (just witness the recent EPA publication making an inventory of toxic substances spread over 6 volumes, for example). I t can be appreciated truly by a chemist. An examination of the tahle of contents reveals t h scope ~ and poanihle utility of the book. It is divided into e i ~ hmain t sections to the study of contaminants: sources, dispersion, fate (transformations and sinks), effects on human health, effects of environmental quality, limits, measurement, and control. These chapters are preceded by two chapters of perspective and characterization of the problem. Back M the gwd news. These authors hsve done agood jab of providing a comprehensive first work on a very complex and many faceted problem. Their stance is neutral and factual. The book is up to date. The material is well balanced and comments are made from more than one wrsoective. Let me quute from an early paragraph, " T ~ degree P of envmmnental contamination whwh a Socirty finds acceptable is hlghly variahle in both space and time and dependsmiore on the rate of change in contaminant levels than their absolute amounts. It also depends upon whether thereappears to hearealistic alternative." I hdieve that every chemist will find the bwk informative and, insome respect, useful. Very few of us have been educated to think ahaut contamination, and for us this is the book of choice. It includes charts, maps, figures, diagrams, and summaries that are ordinarily widely scattered throughouttbeliterature. It covers subiects related to enerw cmaideratiuns, legislation, toxicology. methods and instruments for identifirntiun ond mmsurement, among the topics m e would expect from professors of environmental medicine. I especially appreciate the tables summarizing general policy with the water quality standards and the legislation review. I highly recommend the book for those who wish to begin their education in this area efficiently.
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Analytical Profiles of Drug Subrtances. Vol. 8
Klaw Florey (Editor), The Squibb Institute of Medical Research, Academic Press,New York, 1979. vii 568 pp. Figs. &tables. 23.5 X 15.5 em. $28.00.
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For the past eight years, "Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances" has served as an authasiitative source for physicochemiral and analytical properties o i selected official therapeutic agents. The information compiled in these ;olumes supplements the tests and limits for drug substances found in official compendia1 monographs with deseriptions of other physical and chemichl charaeteristics, methods of synthesis, pathways of physical degradation and metabolic fate. These volumes are especially useful for anslytical data not readily available in the literature.
Chemlcal Conlaminallon In the Human Environment
Morton Lippmann and Richard B. Schlesinger, Oxford University Press. New York, 1979. vii 456 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X 24 cm. $21.95. ($11.95 paperback.)
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I hsve good news and had news. Here is a valuable book taking on an important and
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Donald H. Williams Mpe COlle@s MIland. MI 49423 Volume 57. Number 7, July 1980 1 A221
