Recent Books Beginning Chemistry. GUSTAV L. FLETCHEE, James Monroe High School, New York City; HERBERT 0.SMITH, Newton High School. New York City; BENJAMIN HARROW. College of City of New York. American Book Company, 476 pp. New York City, 1929. viii 300 Figs. 14 X 20 cm. $1.60.
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The purpose of the authors of this tent as expressed in the preface is to introduce students to chemistry through the knowledge acquired in general science, and to this end they devote the first six chapters of the hook. Although an elementary book, the content is designed t o cover the scope of work outlined by the syllabus prepared by the American Chemical Society. and the requirements of the College Entrance Board. A study of the book reveals some very interesting features. The book is copiously illustrated with 300 figures in halftone and diagram, which commands the interest of the reader. The arrangement and organization of the book, while differing from the conventional order, is quite acceptable and offers certain advantages in teaching the subjeot. Beginning in Chapter VII with the electronic theory of matter the authors continue through the following chapters with valence, ibnization, acids, bases, and neutralization, building a fine groundwork for the several chapters which follow. It does seem rather disappointing to note the lack of detail in making an application of valence in formula writing, and the brevity with which equation writing has been treated, when the stage has been so carefully set far this work. Likewise, i t may be pointed out that the explanation of neutralization is likely to be considered, by the student, as contradictory of the explanation of the formation of water, given earlier in the text. The chapter on colloids is especially i,nteresting and is developed much more
extensively than is usual in a high-school text. This is also true of the chapter on explosives and similar subjects. The treatment of these chapters merits considerable praise. The latter part of the book does not seem to measure up to the splendid treatment in the first part. This is especially true in the treatment of the organic compounds and special chapters where the book tends to become encyclopedic. This is especially noticeable under the study of paints and food. The chemistry of digestion is not clearly shown and the function of the enzymes as catalysts is certainly not aiven suitable recognition. . It is possible that students may be confused with the dual treatment of certain compounds such as carbonic acid, page 112, and later referred t o as an organic acid, page 364. The questions a t the end of each chapter are carefully selected and stimulating. The optional questions suggest posi;ihle problems for special reports. The pupil and teacher alike will welcome the "Supplementary Readings" and it is a point of regret rather than criticism that the students in many schools will not have access to the references in Industrial and Engin e e r i n ~Chemistry. I n general the book is well organized and written, and the authors merit recognition for the contribution they have made to the teaching of high-school chemistry. K ~ B EM. R PERSINO Glr~N"rLl.BH I G H SCHOOL
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Laboratory Manual for Beginning Chemistry. GUSTAVL. FLETCHER,James Monroe High School, New York City; HERREKT 0. SMITH. Newton High School, New York City; BENJAMIN Hnnnow, College of City of New York. American Book Company. New York City, 1929. 187 pp. 38 Figs. 20 X 24 cm. W.76.
