20th Century Chemistry
Joseph I . Routh, Professor of Biochemistry, State University of Iowa. 2nd ed. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 1958. rviii 613 pp. 267 figs. 16 tables. 15 X 21 om. $6.50.
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REVIEWS
BOOK Quantitative Chemical Analysis
Gilberl H . Ayres, Profemor of Chemistry, University of Texas. Harper & Brothers, New York, 1958. ix 726 1111. 16.5 X 24 em. $7.50.
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I n the preface to this hook the author states his approach " . . . a course in quantitative analysis is foremost, a course in rhemistry, . . . the suerepsful pursuit of the suhjert requires an understanding of the chemical principles and reactions, as well as of the numerical relationships serving as the basis for caloulations from the anlybical data." The author has followed the indicated path well and has presented a hook which i r eleilrlv a course in ohemistw as indicated by t,he' number of ionic equations and chemical formulas presented, and is a strldy of the numerical relationships as indicated by the number of problems (apI,'arimately 400)included. The book consists of five parts. Part I on Fundamental Principles consists of 15 r h a ~ t e r s204 , pages, covering scope and a i m , the balance, mass action principles, reliability of measurements, separation methods, and ~recipitation phenomena. Part I1 on Gravimetrie Methods consists of 10 chapters, 81 pages covering the chemistry and calculations of a number of different gravimetrie methods. Part 111 on Titrimetric Methods consists of 11 chaptew, 200 pages, covering measurements of volume, calculations of titrimetric snalypis, neutralization theory, redox theory, and the chemistry of neutralization, redox. precipitation, and complexation titrations. Part IV on Introduction to Physicochem-
The general nt~tureof this volume is revealed in the beginning with the twelvepage table of contents where the author i d Methods consists of 4 chapters, 78 identifies his attempt to cover the fundapages, covering colorimetly and spectromentals of general chemistry, of organic photometry, potentiometry, eondnrtomechemistry, and of biochemistry. The try, and polarography. Part V ralled result is a hook developed not with the Experimental, 110 pages, contains the chemistry major in mind but as a n effort techniques of common laboratory operato interest the non-major in this field t i o n ~and directions for all laboratory exby telling him what chemistry is about. periments with adequate notes to assist Consequently, the descriptive historical successful laboratory work. Thc appenapproach is generally used. There are dixes consist of tahles of solubility prodnumerous pictures and diagrams throughucts, ionization aonntants, mdox potenout, the hook that emphasize the mechanics tials, s. section on the use of logarithms, and uses of ehemistry and its products. and a section on sugge;estiona to teachcrs. Very little stress is given to mathematics .4 4 place logarithm tithle is included. of chemistry; for example, only four The front, rover contains International problems on solutions and four on the gas Atomic Weights and the bark cover eonlaws. The old planetary concept with tains a tahle of frequently used f o m d i ~ revolving electrons is used and there is weights. almost no consideration of energy levels While the reviewer has no fundamental or the quantum mechanical view af atomic diaageement with the materid included structure. in Part IV, i t is his belief that th? The majority of suggested references, space spent on potentiometry, condoetomthe biochemiatry section exoepted, are etry, and polarography might have from the literature of the 1930's and heen better used to expand aomc sections 1940's which reveal the author's interest of greater importance to the heginning in the typo of general chemistry given student in this area. during those yertrr. The hook has been very carefully writW. G. KEBSEI. ten and edited. Tho printing is good and Indiana State 'Peaehws College the line diagrams in the text are excellent. T m e Haule There is no douht that any student who is fortunate enough t o have this as the assigned text should find that the explanations are thorough and understandable, and that the principles and methods covEledroanalytical Chemistry ered in the book will he an excellent foundation for further study in rhemistr?. James J . Lingane, Professor of Chemistry, Harvard University. 2nd ed., revised. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1958. xiii 669 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.5 X 23.5 cm. $14.50.
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It will he diffioult to understand how anyone owning the earlier version of Professor Lingme's outstanding moncgraph will he able to resist this second edition. The material which made the first volume invaluable to students and teacher8 of modern analytical chemistry is still present and well revised. In addition, the present book is truly enlarged and the new topics src treated in a thorough and comprehensive manner. It is hardly fair to callit s. second editionthis is s, new hook and one whioh should he on every analytical chamist's shelf. I n fact, quite a wide variety of chemists, student and graduate, could profit from Lingane's lucid and forthright interpretation of the emf of galvanic cells, controlled potential methodology, etc. Among the new material, Chapter 2 on common electrical measurements is a welcome addition. Straightforward and simple in approach, it nevertheless serves well as a background for those interested in the experimental techniques of electrcanalytical work. The section on polaragmphy fits its intended purpose as an introduction to the esrdinal principles of this subject. The chapter on amperVolume 36, Number 7, July 1959
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