text should offer the student ample opportunity to check hisher progress. The goal of presenting the infomation in an understandable manner appears not to have been achieved. Although several examples could be sited to illustrate this comment, only a few will be given. The concept of electron configuration is introduced in seetion 2.8, hut the discussion is so brief that the periodic character of the elements, the definition of metals and nonmetals, and the concept of ionization are presented from a memory point of view not an understanding point of view. Later hybridization is utilized to explain the stereochemistry of carhon compounds although little information is presented to explain the concept. Also, several basic reactions and concepts are not discussed before the chapters on hialogieal molecules. Examples are condensation reaetions and kinetics. The problem is certainly not with the authors'goal and efforts. Rather, the problem is trvinelo .. include so much infonnatinn in so short a space that appropriaw and needed backgnrund infwmatlon for understanding cannot be given. The authors hnveoffsrr this problem somewhat by proposing four different sequences for a ane-year course and three different sequences far a semestercourse to the instructor. Thus, the instructor by choosing an appropriate approach for hisher students should have time to add needed material through h ~ lectures. s If m e ra faced w t h the prospect uf tearhmg a one-year course in general, organic, and biochemistry, I recommend this book. However, the instruetor should be prepared to ask the students to memorize a large amount of material. Marvin W. Barker University of Missouri-Ralia Raiia. MO 65401
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Chemlstry-The Central Science, Second Edition Theodore L. Brown and H. Eugene LeMay. Jr Prenlice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs. 1977. xxii + 840 pp. Figs. and taoles 20.5 X 26 cm. $22.95.
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The second edition of this general ehemistry textbook is little changed from the first edition. The authors have made minor changes in some topics, especially in later chapters. The order of topics is the same with two exceutions. Gases are covered in Chanter 9, and Free Energy, Entropy, and Equilibrium are covered in Chapter 19. Roger D. Barry Northen- Michigan University Marquene, MI 49855
Foundationsof College Chemistry, The Alternate Edition Morris Hein. BrookslCole Publishing Co., 359 pp. Figs. and Monterey, 1980. xiv tables. 18.5 X 23.5 cm. $12.95.
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A174
Journal of Chemical Education
Study Guide for Foundationsof College Chemistry, The Alternate Edition Peter C. Scott BrwkslCole Publishing Co.. Monterey. 1980. vii 183 pp. 16.5 X 23.5 cm. PB $6.95.
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This tent is a shortened version of "Foundations of College Chemistry," written by the same author. The purpose of issuing this alternate edition was to provide a shorter, less expensive textbook for a one- or two-semester course in beginning or preparatory chemistry. This goal has been met by including only the first 17 chapters of the original text, thus excluding organic and biochemistry. This hook sounds as if it is suited for its stated purpose. The author begins with a great deal of descriptive chemistry and moves into the standard quantitative aspects of a general course. The tent ends with a very nice description of chemical equilibria, hut there is no mention of the simplest aspects of kinetics. Each chapter begins with a list of achievement goals, and an ample supply of worked examples dot the pages. The graphics of the text are not overly impressive, hut bold-faced terms and a second color serve to highlight important concepts. Each chapter also contains an adequate number of prohlems, and the answers to these are provided. On the whole, the entire package forms a well-rounded whole suitable far the educator who wants to Leave organic and biochemistry for the later courses. The text comes in paperback, and with the shortening that has been carried out, the price of $12.95 has been achieved. I personally cannot remember the last time I paid such a small sum for a primary text. The study guide ($6.95), written by Peter C. Scott, is a fine complement to the main text. I recommend the package to professors searching for a text to use for a science majors course (not chemistry majors, however) that can he finished completely in a two-semester sequence. Harry G. Brittain Setan Hail University South Orange. NJ 07079
Chemistry for the Health Sciences George I. Sackheirn and Dennis D. Lehman, Macmiilan. New York. 1981. xii 516 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 24 cm.
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This is a well-written chemistry text for first year students in various health-related programs; nursing, dietetics, laboratory technology, inhalation therapy, dental hygiene, and other allied health majors. The authors have carefully designed "Chemistry for the Health Sciences" for their use in a two-semester course. The inclusion of inoreanic. oreanie. .. . and bioehemistrv (anoroxi. i a t e i y une-third of each) allow a healthy appruach 111 understanding h
