book reviews What is Chemistry? A Chemical View ol Nature Joseph Nordmann, Los Angeles Valley College. Harper & Row Publishers, New York, 1974. xiii + 706 pp. Figs. and tables. 18 x 26 cm. 912.95. This is a n interesting attempt on the part of the author to provide an introduction to chemistry which combines a rather thorough treatment of chemical principles with "real world" applications. The teat should be particularly interesting to persons who prefer the historical approach. Nordmann uses extensive historical material including biographical references to key scientists, in the belief that "by retracing paths the human mind took in aequiring knowledge, the student sees how problems are chosen, experiments constructed, data gathered, principles applied, and conclusions drawn." While many would question the wisdom of this approach to teaching general chemistry, the author seems to accomplish his stated objectives rather admirably. The text consists of nine parts with a total of 24 chapters and five appendices. The parts use questions as their titles, as follows: Part One: What is the Atom? (four chapters); Part Two: What are the Chemical Elements? (four chapters); Part Three: What is Chemical Bonding? (two chapters); Part Four: What are Chemical Equations and Stoiehiometry? (two chapters); Part Five: What are Gases (two chapters): Part Six: What are Water and Solutions? (three chapters); Part Seven: How are Chemistry and Electricity Related (two chapters); Part Eight: Organic Chemistry-What are the Compounds of Carbon? (two chapters); Part Nine: Biochemistry-What is Life? (three ehapters). Of particular interest to same will be the rather unusual treatment given to modern instrumental methods including the use of some rather good photographs and schematic diagrams. Among the instruments described are infrared, emission, and atomic absorption spectrometers, automated analyzer, gas ehromatograph, single pan balance, and electron microprobe analyzer. In general the book
is well illustrated and there are many sample problems given to illustrate calculation methods. Inevitably something must he sacrificed in order to cover historical materials as well as all of the excellent "real world" applications which are included in this text. What has been sacrificed is detail. Most of the topics which one expects to find in a general chemistry textbook are here; they simply are not covered in sufficient detail to satisfy the more rigorous requirements of same general chemistry courses, particularly for chemistry majors. However, the text is recommended far those who are willing to sacrifice some depth and especially for those who prefer a liberal dose of history in their course. William H. Glare North Texas State University Denton, 76203
College Chemistry Dauid E. Goldberg and Clyde R. Dillard, Brooklyn College of the CUNY. Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1974. xviii + 634 pp. Figs and tables. 21 x 24 cm. $12.95. This textbook is designed for a heginning college chemistry course in which the background of the students is varied, particularly in mathematics. The approach is to clearly state the definitions and rules regarding chemical behavior followed hy examples where these are applied. Apparently, the intent is to bring the student to an operationak level with only a cursory knowledge about the underlying principles and deviations. Step by step procedures are given for solving problems related to the material covered. Numerous problems are included a t the end of each chapter divided into basic, general, and advanced levels. This book is an excellent text for students who require a great deal of assistance in mastering the elementary principles of chemistry. Consequently, it would probably he appropriate far a course where a large number of students from the biological sciences are enrolled. Examples from organic chemistry are employed wherever possible, even in the
-Reviewed in this Issue Joseph Nordmann, What is Chemistry? A Chemical View of Nature
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David E. Goldberg and Clyde R. Dillord, College Chemistry
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R. L. Weber, Compiler, and E. Mendoza, Editor, A. Random Walk in Science
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M.R. Rifi and Frank H. Couitz, Introduction to Organic Electrochemistry Robert V. Dilts, Analytical Chemistry
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second chapter, "Chemical Formulas." The iliuirratitni are numewus. neii dme, and approprinrc to rhr material In grnrra1 the book is appealing in appearance and quite readable which should make i t a favorite with the students. However, only a minimum amount of material is provided to challenge the outstanding student. A comparison of this text with the previous text, "Chemistry, Structure, and Properties" by the same author reveals that only a few additions of substance were made. An introductory chapter has been added which is a potpourri of information ranging from the metric system, to temperature scales, to the factor label method. Aside from this addition and a few deletions, the hook is virtually identical to the previous text. Harry P. Hopkins, Jr. Georgia State University University Plaza. Atlanta. Georgia 30303
A Random Walk in Science
Compiled by R. L. Weber, Pennsylvania State University, University Park. Edited by E. Mendozo, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Crane, Russak & Co., Inc., New Yark, 1974. Figs. and tables 16 X 24 cm. xvii + 206pp. $12.50. The title is deceptive. Weber promises with the title, what most of us would assume would include a t least representative excursions into the realm of physics, chemistry, and hiology, not to mention the other specialties. But he is apparently of the mind that Rutherford expressed when he cracked "All science is either physics or stamp collecting." "A Random Walk in Science" is a n anthology of some 130 pieces or more published by The Institute of Physics (London and Bristal). It naturally contains mostly anecdotes from and about physicists and physics. But for many of us, I am sure that physics has seldom been as interesting or as much fun as it is here. By fun I do not mean that the accounts are all funny. Indeed, a few are even tragic in terms of the individual human consequences portended as, for example, in the account by R. W. Wood of Pmf. R. Blondlot's N-rays. But all are intellectually captivating through an ironic twist, a clever juxtaposition, or occasionally a wellaimed jest at a sacred cow. The accounts include sueh diverse topics as an "application of quantum methods to understanding the functioning of zippers," "a contribution to the mathematical theory of big game hunting," and a n account of the collaboration that lead to a legitimate paper under the listed authors, Alpher. Bethe, and Gamow-all of which are humorous as intended. Others include those with a touch of humorous irony such as "The art of finding the right graph paper," or "Slidesmanship," or "A conference glossary." Others are simply interesting sueh as the "Transit of Venus" or "John Dalton's discovery of his color blindness," or the "Trial of Galilee." (Continued anpageA300) Volume 52, Number 5. May 1975 / A299
