Chemical lnformatlon Yecheskel Wolman. John Wlley & Sons. Somerset, NJ, 1983. xiv 191 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $24.95.
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The contents of this book are organized in an unorthodox way. After the introduction, there are four chapters that deal with: scientific journals, the lihrary, maintaining current awareness, and conducting a literature search. The rest of the material is oreanized around the kinds of information ;he user might be seeking: on numerical data: on chemical reactions and mneeptq; on synthetic methods; on specific compounds or groups of compounds; on environmental questions; on chemical marketing and processes; and on individuals and organizations. The final chapter deals with computerinteractive information systems. This is the coming thing, and one might expect a new hook in chemical information to discuss this subject extensively and in detail. Unfortunately, this expectation is not fulfilled; the topic is disposed of in five pages. This oreanization of the suhiect matter doubtless will appeal ro some p~~ople, erpecially if the intormation they seek happens tn coincide with the above topics. On the uther hand, such an approach is hound to leave gaps, and some of them are glaring. What if the user wishes to find information on analytical methods, or polymers, or hioehemistry? There is no mention in this hook of the Kolthoff-Elving "Treatise on Analytical Chemistry," of the "Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology," of the "Handbook of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology." Many other major sources of information are not mentioned, as well. Another disadvantage of the organizational scheme is that it scatters information that mirht "~ hetter have been keot toeether. The main discussion of Chemtrol Abdlrnrrs ison two pages, and for the rest of the information one must look here and there. The index points the user to more than thirty different places. Why is the main discussion of "Beilsteins Handhuch.. ." in the chapter on obtaining numerical data? Such placement strikes this reviewer as idiosyncratic. The hook contains a large numher of errors. Most of them are minor: transposed letters and other "typos," misplaced punctuation, incorrect font, etc. Perhaps this is the price one has to pay for the efficiency of reproduction from camera-ready copy, hut ~
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there was a time one could expect hetter accuracy from a major scientific publisher. These shortcomings are regrettable, hecause the hook has much to offer. It is true to its suhtitle-"A Practical Guide to Utilization" for there is emphasis throughout on "haw to," and that is what the chemist and the chemistry student need and want. This hook fully deserves a place alongside other recently published contributions to the study of chemical information, hy Bottle et al., by Skolnik and by Mellon. Each of these hooks is making a unique contribution to what is finally taking shape as a genuine discipline. Accordinelv. this reviewer recommends that this l&k;hould be acquired hy all large ~rientificlilmaries. On the other hand, MeIIon's "Chemical I'ublicatium" (5th ed., 1W2) is superior for use as a textbook; moreover, it is a substantially hetter "buy." George Gorin Oklahoma State University Stillwater. OK 74078 Chemistry for Health-Related Sclences; Concepts and Correlatlons, Second Edltlon Curtis T. Sears and Conrad L. Stanitski. Prentice-Hall. Inc., Englewood Cliffs. NJ, 1983. xix 540 pp. Figs. and tables. 18.5 X 24 cm. $29.95.
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The book is designed for a two-term chemistry course for students in bealth-related programs. The authors hase their introduction and discussion of topics on the "unifying theme that chemical structure and biological function are related." A s s result biochemically significant substances and phenomena are used to illustrate chemical principles. Enzyme catalysis, for example, is included in the discussion of reaction rates. One is struck by the seemingly huge volume of material to be covered. However, there are excellent summaries a t the ends of the chapters. Wisely, the authors have designated some topics as optional. These include such things as electron energy levels, solutions of gases, reaction mechanisms, and the fatty acid spiral. In addition to an adequate selection of questions a t ends of the chapters there are numerous in-chapter exercises. The answers to many of both types of problems are included in the appendix. One problem I find is the tendency to use
overly complex examples to illustrate certain principles. For instance, the use of aspirin to illustrate the difference between weak and strong acids. The student may he su awestruck by the structural formula for aspirin and the terms HASA and ASA- that he or she misses the point that a weak acid is only sliehtlv .. ionized. Similarlv. .. in introducine coordinate covalent bondr, the strucrral formula for heme is used as an examplr. A t this point in the text asimpler compmnd might he in order. The title of chapter 12, "Another Look a t Carbon Compounds and Isomerism," raises the questionof how much duplication is involved. Perhaps some of the topics in chapter 5, "Chemical Bonding: 11. Molecular Compounds," could have been left for the later chapter. The biochemistry section (essentially chapters 14 through 23) seems to he clearly written and thorough. The diaprams are well done and formulaseasily und&aod. Greater care could have been exercised in presenting answers to questions in the appendix. Three errors were noted in the first two chapters. Nothing can be more frustrating to a student than to find it impossible to arrive at the answer in the hook. One major objection is the frequent use of first person plural in the text. Another is the exceedingly small print in some parts of the text. In one spot it is almost impossible t o distinguish between Fez+ and Fe3+. On the whole the text is concise and clearly written. It follows closely the objectives set up by the authors. Carl R. Meloy Urbana College Urbana. OH 43078
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Correlation Analysis of Organic Readivitv: WRh Particular Reference t o Multiple Regression John Shorter. John Wiley & Sons. Inc., 235 pp. Figs. Somerset. NJ. 1982. xi and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $41.95. ~~~~
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For those who are acouainted with earlier writings hy .John Shorter, this monograph is an updated erpan~ionof his earlirr book ~
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(Continued on page A222)
in this Issue
I
Yecheskel Wolman, Chemical Information Curtis T. Sears and Conrad L. Stanitski, Chemistry for Health-Related Sciences; Concepts and Correlations. Second Edition John Shorter, Correlation Analysis of Organic Reactivity; With Particular Reference t o Multiple Regression Hobart H. Willard, Lynne L. Merritt, John A. Dean, and Frank A. Settle, Jr., Instrumental Methods of Analysis, Sixth Edition Titles of Interest
Volume 61
Reviewer George Gorin Carl R. Meloy
A221 A221
Robert L. Soulen
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Donald P. Olander
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Number 8
August 1984
A221
