BOOK REVIEWS level of skill in technical writing. Even competent scientists and engineers need all the help they can get. According to the author, theexperienced, practiced scientist or engineer who has written many reports haa had no text to turn to for answers to his impromptu questions. He says, "This small volume is designed for experienced report writers to keep on their desks next to thsir dictionary so that their composing and revising will be more satisfying and efficient." Like many hooks in the field, it emphasizes problems with words and sentences. The first chapter surveys the whole process of reporting, from first thinking about the
report to binding and distributing it. Four chapters deal with grammar and punctuation, two discuss writing generally, and two others explain the divisions of a report and describe some types of reports. Three appendixes list abbreviations, symbols, and compound words. Waldo slights some problems to give more attention to others that are less troublesome. Even experienced writers have difficulties with organizing reports, but this subject receives little attention. Tables and graphs are common enough pitfalls to deserve a whole chapter, inetead of being subordinated under one on divisions of a report. On the other hand, how to cite references is given in more detail than normally needed. Despite lack of emphasis on some impor-
tant problems, "Better Report Writing" touches on most of the difficulties of report writing. Rather than scientists or engineers who have written many reports, the novice will probahly benefit more from it. The opening chapter especially helps make it clear to a beginner just what is involved in writing a report. Unlike many of its predecessors, this book is clearly and forcefully written. The chapters on "Put Punch in Your Writing" and "Proper Words in Proper Places" ought to persuade at Least a few report writers to abandon the shapeless English that obscures so many reports. Waldo makes two important points that are often overlooked. A scientist should write his own reports. If he lets a ghost writer take over his reporting, he will soon be unable to interpret his own work campetently. Care in checking such detailed information as reference citations is the author's responsibility. The amazing ease with which errors can get into a report and the damage they can do can be affirmed by any editor. The hook is replete with citations, from books to company publications. So many references are of doubtful value to the scientist or engineer who is looking for answers to impromptu questions. A shorter, selected list would have been more valuable. Although "Better Report Writing'' is not s. landmark in its field. it will h e l ~ anyone who has a report to write. ~ u c h of what it contains can be found in one or another text, but until some etandard work appears, Waldo's book will help the at,trition process that seems needed to improve technical writing.
J. A. LECKY Standard Oil Company (Indiana) Whiting, Indiana
Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry. Volume 7: The Elements and Compounds of Group IVA
Harnld P. Klug, Head. Department of Research in Chemical Physics, Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, University of Pittsburgh, and Robert C. Bmsted, Assooiate Profes.qor of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Minnesota. D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., New York, 1958. ix 302 pp. Many figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. 167.50.
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The eight chapters which comprise this latest addition to the eleven volume series rank with the better efforts so far published. As in previous volumes, the chapters dealing with individual or groups of elements normally consider the historical background, the occurrence, extractive metallurgy, the chemical and physical properties, and reactions of the elements and their more significant compounds. Further, complimentary chapters on more general topics in inorganic chemistry are sometimes included. The present chapters have the fallowing concerns: the inorganic chemistry of car-
(Continued an page AZ50)
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Journal of Chemicol Education
BOOK REVIEWS ban; silicon and its simple covalent compounds; orgenosilican compounds; the natr~rallyoccurring dicates; germanium, tin, and lead chemietries; and finally, the metallic borides. carbides, silicides, and related compounds. The authors itdrlress this work to "those engaged in chcmicsl manofactnl.e and development and t,o tho.% in advanced at,udips in institutions of higher learning." The former group can well find a, refreshment of their early training with t,hese quite u p t n d a t e s r v e y r . The material is present,d in context wit,h present aonccpts in atomic and molec!rlar structure. Tho chapters an the organic and mineral ehemi~tryof silicon, as well as the one of carbides, horidca, and silicides, should prove quite st,imulsting to those who have loat condart, with m r h fields during the last fifteen years. Students taking advanced inorganic chemistry courses will profit by aeeeas to thin set in general, and t,o t,hin volume in particular. These treatments of inorganic chemistry deviat,e from t,hr mare systematic, rondensd tcxtbook appro ache^ with a leiaurply, nonpedagogir sir. For example, there in a weskh of information on the teehnalogiral side of Group IVA chemistry not. no~mallyencountered in the courpe work of a rhemiat. A h , the hook in liberally docr~mentcd wit,h r e f ~ r ~ n r e s which can direct the more ente~prising students to detailed works. E n w ~ n oD. G a ~ n n ~ n o Scripps Inal*~,tion qf Oreamgmphy Ln Jolln, ("al
