Chemistry: A Modern Perspectlve
book reviews Editor: W.
F. KIEFFER
College of Woostor Woater, Ohio
Chemistry: An Ecologlcal Approach Roger G. Gymer. Harper & Raw, Publishers, New York, 1973. xxi + 801 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 21 cm. $12.95. The title phrase, "an ecological approach," represents, in the authors words, "more a perspective . . . than ecology as a body of knowledge.'' It gives the b w k a framework different than any other. Dr. Gymer notes that some may take exception to the phrase and he is not far from the truth. The understanding of the phrase and its usage is critical before this hook can be used easily by a chemist. The chemical topics approach is ahandoned so that either the students are going to jump back and forth in their reading assignments or the traditional first course is going to change! Rest assured, the material is all there but in an order other than commonly found. The descriptive material used for illustration is, as the title would suggest, quite "practical": sewage sludge digestion, soil weathering, wwd nuloine. ....wwer oroduction. mutaeens. .. . contmceptam, e r c . ' ~ h r r mathrial ie included with no sserrfrce of sound treatments for: quantum theory of aturns and molecule., kinetic molecular theory, entropy, collision and transition state theory, nuclear chemistry, beginning bio-organic, and even the descriptive chemistry of nitrogen, water, and oxygen; nor are such topics as solubility rules, acids and bases, crystallization, and eleetro-chemistry neglected. Not all this material is covered with the particular emphasis that some would like, and some topics are almost totally missing, for example transition metal chemistry is only alluded to in the refining of some ores, the section an light absorption
. .
m d the sections on precipitate dissolution and water softening. However, the author, has accomplished much in his 8W pages and he has done so by writing very concisely. Students will find, I helieve, the reading to go slowly. It is surely a hook that the lecturer will have to read, t w ! It is not an easy book. But it does flow well and moves logically enough after the first dozen pages (which somewhat awkwardly generalize the biosphere and the "fitness" of the environment). It will be enjoyed by these who like to learn. Classes with weak students are going to use the appendices early where chemical calculations are illustrated (6 pages) along with nomenclature, redox equation balancing, and solubility rules. Each chapter is referenced and summarized and approximately Ys of the questions or problems with each of the 20 chapters has answers provided. Most of the questions and pmhlems are gwd. I wish there were a few more. There are a minimum number of example problems worked. The instructor's guide is very well done indeed and will greatly aid one preferring the more traditional subject order. For students, a good teacher will be needed, one carefully noting the terminology with which students are unfamiliar. I believe this book, while not making chemistry fun, will make it very, very important and that fewer students than usual will sell this b w k back to the bookstore after the course because of the great hulk and diversity of material in it. Thus, this book will he useful for both chemists and those who wish to relate chemistry to some other discipline. Donald H . Williams Hope College Holland, Michigan 49423
Robert W. Medeims, West Chester State College. D. Van Nostrand Co., New York, 1973, viii 330 pp. 23.5 X 21.5 em. $7.95.
+
This is an exceedingly well written general chemistry text intended to be used by chemistry students who are nonseienee majors. The book is designed to provide the background necessary for an understanding of basic chemical principles as related to such timely topics as environment, drugs, oceanography, and medicine. The author emphasizes the "Interdisciplinary" nature and "environmental" aspects of chemistry as related to everyday Living. There is an excellent blend of chemical principles and descriptive chemistry presented as a basis of understanding of environmental problems. Chemical theory is well developed through selected topics. This book contains numerous well ehosen illustrations which should help maintain student interest. Throughout the b w k there are marginal excerpts from current chemical literature. These are included to help the student recognize chemical principles at work in modern society. At the end of each chapter, the student will find a number of problems for review. These were ehasen to stimulate student interest. Many of the problems require research heyond the scope of this hook. Current literature references are given for each of the major topics discussed. Some of the distinctive features of the b w k include the author's approach to geological chemistry in Chapter 7 and Chemistry in Outer Space in Chapter 8. After a discussion of the chemistry of life in Chapters 12 and 13, the author presents a very concise treatment of the chemistry of pollution and environment. The ecologically minded student will find this presentation most stimulating. This bwk through its cultural approach to chemistry and relevant applications should provide strong motivation for the reader. Careful consideration should he given to this textbook by those who are interested in chemistry hut are not science majors. Opey D. Jeanes
oh;^ Tyler Community Coilege
-Reviewed
in this Issue
Roger G. Gyrner, Chemistry: An Ecological Approach Robert W. Medeiros, Chemistry: A Modern Perspective Dauid Rittenhouse Inglis, Nuclear Energy: Its Physics and its Social Challenge Gary T Bender, Chemical Instrumentation: A Laboratory Manual Based an Clinical Chemistry Howard A. Strobel, Chemical Instmmentation-A Systematic Approach to Instrumental Analysis Arnold J. Krubsack, Experimental Organic Chemistry T. A. Geissman, Workbook in Organic Chemistry. Exercises in the Properties, Behavior, and Synthesis of Organic Compounds N. B. Chapman and J. Shorter, editors, Advances in Linear Free Energy Relationships George G. Guilbault, Practical Fluorescence: Theory, Methods, and Techniques Arnold Thackrav, John Dalton. Critical Assessments of His Life and Science A. J. Gordon and R. A. Ford, The Chemist's Companion: A Handbook of Practical Data, Techniques and References New Volumes in Continuing Series
Chester, Virginia
. . . A33 . . . A33 . . . A33 . . . A42
. . . A42 . . .A46 . . .A46 . . .A46
. . . A48 . . . A48
. . .A50 . . . A54
Nuclear Energy: Its Physics and its Social Challenge David Rittenhouse Znglis, University of Massachusetts. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, Massachusetts, 1973. xiv + 395 pp. 21 X 13.5 cm. $4.95. Written by a former nuclear physicist for the general liberal arts student who as a prerequisite needs only high school algebra, this volume provides the basis for understanding bath the technical and the sociopolitical aspects of nuclear energy problems. It is intended far use in a one semester course although the material, (Continued onpageA42) Volume 5 1 . Number 1, January 1 9 7 4
/
A33
