from the same source as MOBY. In the case of IR spectra, animated images of the molecule in the vibrational mode earresponding to each peak can be viewed. While viewing W spectra, the polarization directian and the dipole moment vector for each peak are also displayed, superimposed on the molecule. It is impassible to overstate the instructional value of these displays. In fact, I believe that this is one of the greatest strengths of the program. MOBY 1.5 is not intended to be used as a tool for detailed investicatinns of molecular omoerties. It does. however. offer a useful start-
entering these parameters "by hand" into an input file. The main weakness of MOBY 1.5 is that the program appears to be somewhat behind times. Most PC users have by now switched to the Microsoft Windows operating environment and have become familiar with the interface, menus, and conventions of Window applications. Compared to the look and feel of these applications, the user interface of the DOS-based MOBY comes across a s rather primitive. The different items in the same menu are separated only by blank spaces. Moreover, the menu items are not a t all different in appearance from the status or error messages that appear in the dialog area a t the bottom of the screen. No color change or highlighting appears on the menu items as the mouse cursor is used to select them. This makes it difficult to he sure that the intended item is, in fact, being selected. The animated display of molecular vibrations corresponding to each peak of the IR spectrum of the molecule also leaves something to be desired. While priceless in pedagogic value, these animations appesr discontinuous, 'Tumpy" and hard to focus on, even when the speed of the animation has been slowed down and the amplitudes of the displacements increased as far as possible. In sharp contrast, the molecular motions observed during the MD simulations appear smooth and continuous, although the molecule may sometimes drift from the field of view altogether. The display of the polarization direction and dipole moment in the W s p & t ~ a a l a n s & m ~rather d pour mqu31ct); although a higher resnlutmn than the dtandard VCA could improve t h ~ s . In solre ol'thesr shnrtcommas. MOBY 1.5 will be a valuable teachine and self-studv tool i n i d v e r a ~advanced undermaduate " and paduate level courscs, such ns the junmr senror.level physlcal chrmistry, undergraduatelwsduate-level introductory quantum chemistry, physwal organic chemistry and, if MOPAC or GAUSSIAN is ava>lahlr,in cnurresan molerular spectroscupy Although thr types of "centers" used in a force-field opt~mnatkmarc llmrvd to those parametrized in the AMBER force field. m e can perform semicmpirirnl calculat~onson a number of smplr muleculcs te.g, A20. I1702. HOCI. HCN. and a a m i n c chcir energy manhlds. molecular urbltals, and partial chnrgc dwtrihutians. An alternative to MOBY 1.5, that I am awareof, is the program HyperChem from Hypercube Inc. Compared to HyperChem, the main selling paint far MOBY is its low price. Aggressive academic discounts, especially for volume purchases, are available and this gives MOBY a very favorable information content to price ratio. It is possible to justify purchasing MOBY for this reason alone. On the other hand, a t roughly five times the (discounted) price of MOBY 1.5, HyperChem runs in the Microsaft Windows environment, offers clearer menus, does not require MOPAC for the computation of spectra, and supports a longer list of semiempirical methods for the quantum ehemistry calculations.
Literature Cited 1. Dewar, M. J.8.;Theil, W.J Am. Chem. Sm. 1917,99,48994907. 2. Dewar. M.J.S.; Zoehisch, E. G.; Healy, E. F; Stewart J. P J Am. Chem. Soe 1885. ,n, .".,"""" ~
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3. Weiner, S. J.; Kollrnan. P A,: Caac. D. A,: Singh,U. C.,Ohio. C.; Alagona, G.;Rofets. Jr,S.; Weiner,P..Ih. Chom Sm. 1 W , 106,765-784. 4.Presa.w H.:Flannery, B. P; Teukolski, S. A ; Vetterling, W. T. Numwicol Recips: The Art $Scientific Computing; Cambtidge:New York. 1987.
B. Ramachandran Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA 71272
Chemistry, Fifth Edition Raymono Chang. McGraw-rlil : hew York. hY, 1994. xxv 1042 pp. Figs, and tabes. 21.4 x 26.2 cm. 569.44 Comparing Ra,vmond Chang's rwisrd {fifth cdltion) textbook Chemtsrry wrth hls fourth edmon shows the ~volutmnarynnturr ofthe new edition Chenirslr, has mans of the vinucs unc finds in a mature book-the best feakres of th; earlier editions have been retained and expanded, and the homework problems have the benefit of trial by fire. Several attributes of Changs work are excellent. The worked examples are boldly highlighted, serving to bolster the textual presentation. I especially like the short "Chemistry in action" essays that take the reader beyond the equations into the applications. These essays give the student touch points of familiarity (recycling aluminum, breath analyzer) and show insights into exciting modem research areas (Buckyballs, high temperature superconductors). I also appreciate the frequent appearance of the periodic table (used to elucidate trends or properties) that emphasizes the unity within chemistry. The new edition follows the same order of presentation (and, essentially, content) as the fourth edition with two exceptions. First, a new chapter (18) is added discussing chemistry in the atmosphere and the last chapter from the fourth edition (Industrial Chemistry) has been dropped. This deletion eliminates the table showing the top 50 chemicals produced industrially, a subject many of the short essays address-the table should have appeared in a n appendix. Most of the internal chapter divisions are the same. The appearance of many of the figures has been modified. For instance, the periodic tables which were flat, compartmentalized charts. are now shown with a oseuda-three dimensional oualitv srmllar to the software -button> present in many computer appllcations. Also,all ofthe section headings, wh~chwere mcdlum blue, arc now rcd, yicldlng n more dynnmlc appcarancc. 'This use of color and computer graphics gives the book a much slicker feel, and represents the largest change between the editions. The extensive use of color photographs and full color figures comes a t a cost. The textbook is very heavy because of the large weight of glmsy paper needed tu support the prrntmg. Chands text fdluws the classrcal approach to chemistry: sub. iccrs arc devcloocd and then aoolird. 'This diNcrs from a too down "aooroaeh wher; a ~roblemis &ed and methods are introduced todeal wrth i t i r . ,fisharedyingin a lake- why'! . While the latter approach may bc diiliculr in a gencral freshman text, rhc need to stlmulste the imagmat~onof non mqorr and the inereasmg pressure to introduce "real world" (i.e., research and development) chemistry earlier in the cumculum should encourage authors to confront students with examples of this methodology In summary, Chemistry, FitUl Edition presents its material in a visually stimulatingmanner. The text covers, efficiently and tharoughly, all of the basic material expected out of a traditional freshman chemistry textbook. ~
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Michael S. Bradley Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN 46383
From Turkey Red to Tyrian Purple: Textlle Colours for the Industrial Revolution Anthony S. Travis. Hebrew translation by Shlomo Zucker Jewish National & University Library: PO. Box 503, Jerusalem, Israel, 1993. 120 pp: 773 pp English; 47 pp Hebrew. Illus. 21.3 x 27.4 cm. $18.00 PB. Sid Edelstein probably is known best to chemists as a prominent dye chemist, Chairman of the Dexter Chemical Corporation of New York, and founder of the American Chemical Society Division of the History of Chemistry's Dexter Award in the History of Chemistry. This profusely illustrated (80 pictures of woodcuts, title pages, manuscripts, advertisements, patterns, dye samples, la-
Volume 71 Number 11 November 1994
A289
