book reviews The first seven chapters are done quite well. The last three chapters, however, are neither representative nor sufficiently detailed to be of general value. The section an organic photochemistry (Chapter 8) is so full of errors ( ? ) t h a t it is useless except to the already informed reader. More aggressive editing, more careful proofreading, and fewer cost shortcuts in ~roducingthe hookcould have prevented many of these flaws In general, the reviewers feel that far the student who wishes to have an introductory photochemistry text in his library a t a reasonable cost, this book should be considered. Paul D. Davis Douglas C. Neckers Sowling Green State University Bow1;ng Green, OH 43403
Radloactivlty In Amerlca: Growth and Decay of a Science Lawrence Bndorh, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1979. xviii + 326 pp. Tables. 16 X 24 cm. $18.95. It is not widely appreciated that the subject of radioactivity had substantial interest in the United States during the first two decades of the twentieth century. The names of Curie, Rutherford, Soddy, and Hahn loom so large in research on radioactivity that the names of Boltwood, McCoy, Moore, Schlundt, Pegram, and Lind tend to be overlooked, even in America. Lawrence Badash has brought the American contributions into perspective. Despite the lack of a vigorous American research tradition and lack of the facilities of the European investigaturs, the contributions of the Americans, particularly Boltwood, were significant. The book is more than a look a t American contributions, however. The author weaves a tapestry depicting the worldwide growth of knowledge and application of radioactivity. The uncovering of understanding of radioactive phenomena is developed carefully. The interplay of American investigators with the European leaders is fully documented. Attention is also given to practical applications of radioactive materials in medicine and industry, including the tragic incident of the watch-dial painters. Particularly interesting and useful are the chapters dealing with the phenomenon of transmutation and the resultant problem of the genealogy of decay sequences, leading ultimately to recognition uf isotopes and the radioactive displacement laws. The mles of Snddy, Fajans, and Russell in clarifying these latter concepts is carefully developed. A useful tool in reading the book is a set of three tables preceding the text which shows the dccnv series of uranium. thorium. and . n r l n ~ u mu;ln: the .,rijmai tcrwi iur the swcri.i\v h..ls pndolrlr l
