book reviews The Physics of Liquld Crystals
P. G. de Gennes, Clarendon Press, Oxford, (Oxford University Press, New York), 1974. Figs. and tahles. xi 333 pp. 16 X 24 cm. $32.50.
+
Our understanding of liquid crystals, or more properly of anisotropic fluids, has increased considerably in the past decade. The most exciting developments have occurred in the study of the basic physics of thermotropic liquids. I t is appropriate that the first textbook in this field has been written by P. G. de Gennes. In addition to his own fundamental contributions to the physics of liquid crystals, Professor de Gennes has furnished many ideas and much inspiration for the work of others, particularly in the Orsay liquid crystal group. This excellent hook is an example of physics as a living discipline. Most of the material resented has been clarified and ~ r o p e r l yunderstood only in the past few years and the fact that much is yet to be understood is clearly ~ o i n t e dout by the author. Although the book is intended for physicists, much of it should he read by chemists and biologists interested in anisotropic fluids. The first chapter provides an introduction to the classification and unique physical properties of liquid crystals. The next chapter takes up the important concept of long range order and general methods for defining long range order parameters; also recent attempts to explain the thermodynamic properties based on statistical mean field theories are outlined. The next three chapters are devoted to various aspects of the continuum theory of nematic liquids and are somewhat more demanding in terms of the background knowledge of physics required. The organization of the material shows clearly how the development of the continuum theory has added a new dimension to the old subject of hydrodynamics. Separate chapters are devoted to static distortions by electric and magnetic fields, defects and textures, and dynamical distortions. The last two chapters take up the latest ideas concerning the less understood cholesterie smectie liquids. There is little fault to he found with the book although it is marred somewhat hy a number of misprints and editorial oversights. The only other negative factor is the cost ($32.50) which is somewhat prohibitive for the students for whom the book is really intended. One would hope that a less expensive paperback version will he available soon. Vernon D. Neff Department of Chemistry and LQ"@ Crystall"st*"te Kent State University Kent, Ohio
Jewlsh Nobles and Genluses In Modern Hungary
William 0. McCagg Jr., Michigan State University. Columbia University Press, New York, 1913. 254 pp. Tables and index. $9.00. I find this book refreshing and stimulatA488 / Journal of ChemicalEdocation
ing for ancillary reading as the author identifies the probable factors involved in the production of so many outstanding scientists in the past quarter century by modern Hungary. Such scientists as Tellar, Szilard, Szent-Gy6ygy, von KBrmHn, Neumann, Pblylya, de Hevesy, Wigner, and Lukics are some of the many who hegan their career in Hungary. Outstanding leaders in other disciplines are also recognized. The author describes the hook as an historical and sociological study of Hungary's Jewish nobles, a group which has eontributed substantially to the great efflorescence of Hungarian scientific geniuses of the past 50 years and which for many years held overriding economic power within Hungary herself and thus, indirectly, political power. There are some 350 families involved in the group. The objectives are: (1) to record the history of these people, (2) to analyze why they became nobles, and (3) to explore whether the overall experience of the Jewish nobility can afford us some explanations of the galaxy of Hungarian geniuses to which the group contributed. The term scientific genius is used in the restricted sense to denote only extraordinarily gifted minds. Even though the Jewish noble scientists are few-four of them von Neumann, de Hevesy, von Kirmin and Lukies-are among the eight or ten Hungarian scientists who are world famous. The conclusion is that the primary reasons for development of the geniuses and leaders in science and commerce were the opportunity for the Jewish people to move up through community and professional life-unrestricted to the ghettos-and the continued encouragement and indoctrination of the parent to work hard to succeed. In a subtle way too the "times were right" for these men to succeed either in their own country or to move to other parts of the world, especially the United States. The writing is good, the information well documented, and the arguments well supported. I t is a good mix for the scientist of the sociological, economic, and political influences. Dr. MeCagg has done a real service to mankind with this study. Civilization needs more such concise, succinct nnalvses of the oroblems and factors involved in the stimulation and development of leaders in all disciplines. Alfred B. Garrett Ohio State University Columbus. 43210
Chemical Manipulation
Michael Foradav. London. Halsted Press, New York, i974. ix + 656 pp. Figs. 14 X 22.5 cm. $35. The Foreword of this hook, initially puhlished in 1827, by Sir George Porter, F. R. S., contains information relating to the dates and major interests of Michael Faraday during his productive years. While he is better known for his studies related ta magnetism, electricity, and the laws of electrochemistry, Faraday contributed ma-
terially to the knowledge of the composition of alloy steels, optical glass, and the liquefaction of gases. He was not "safety conscious" in his experimentation and was more interested in the "success of a specific experiment than in the health or safety of the emerimenter." Our Dresent day EPA would'frown an his techkioue and-use of mercury in large quantities at somewhat elevated temperatures, without the use of ventilated hood protection. This treatise on chemical manipulation in vogue approximately a century and a half ago is divided into 24 sections. These include a rather complete coverage of: I. The Laboratory; 11. Balance; weighing; 111. Measures, measuring; IV. Sources of Heat (furnaces, lamps, blow pipes, and thermometers): V.-XI. Individual Physical Processes including solution, distillation, precipitation, crystallization, etc.; XII. Colored Tests; neutralization; XII1.-XV. Operations (furnace, crucihle, and gas measurement with associated corrections): XVLXXII. Tube Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Cements, Glass Manipulation, Cleansing; General rules for young experimenters, and Use of Equivalents. XXIII is entitled "Miscellonne" and covers the use of corks, paper, glass plates, and associated lahoratory ~araphenalia,while XXIV concludes with the topic "A course of inductive and instructive practices." The style is simple, straightforward, and readily understood hy one familiar with basic laboratory practices. The present day reader must marvel at the accuracy of experimental results obtained with apparatus which (compared with modern times) was ~rimitivein design and operations conducted under conditions which would be considered as "backwoods" in nature. The use of "half-pint," "pint," and "quart" volumetric vessels; furnaces for beating c m c ihles, in which the desired temperature was controlled by opening or closing vent-holes in the coke-fired furnaces which were exhausted via a "stack" connected to a flue in the wall of the laboratory, were considered as common equipment. The high temperature essential for glass manipulation was attained by use of a blowpipe using a jet of forced air, produced by a foot driven bellows, directed on a flaming cotton batt soaked in oil. Graduations for volumetric glassware were accomplished (scratched) by means of grinding wheels. The present day chemistry student will enjoy reading detailed directions for the preparation of equipment (such as thermometers) currently available in our laboratory stockrooms. Many procedures are of the "rule of thumb" variety such as those dealing with the preparation of sulfuric acid of proper concentration for use in a zinc-acid battery. (Based upon the size and rate of evolution of hydrogen bubbles from the zinc-if too rapid, dilute the acid;-if too small and too few, add more acid.) Gas volume is measured in cubic inches, pint, and quart; weight is recorded in grains, while both the Fahrenheit and Centigrade thermometers are mentioned. (Sixty-two degrees Fahrenheit is used as the standard temperature reference). Sample gas law problems (with solutions) are presented to illustrate the effect of changes in temperature and pressure on a confined volume of gas. This book is most interesting as well as
informative as a source of laboratory procedures h vogue s t the time it was written. Chemical and academic institutional libraries, as well as individuals having interest in the developments of andlor history of science, will find it of value as a reference as well as a source of general information on the subject of chemical manipulation. Douglas G. Nicholson East Tennessse State Univm8y Johnson Ciiy, Tennessee 3760 1
Volume 52, Number 10, October 1975 / A489
