Recent Books An Introduction to Organic Chemistry. Ph.D., Associate ROGERJ. WILLIAWS, Professor of Chemistry, University of Oregon. D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., 8 Warren Street, New York, 1927. ix 565 pp. 14 X 21.5 cm. $3.50.
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A new attempt to rationalize o w modern science of organic chemistry and thereby lay before the beginner in our colleges more clearly the more important phenomena which we consider as essential for a fundamental course in organic chemistry. The important relationships of organic reactions are discussed in the accepted order and the various theories which are considered acceptable today are touched upon brietly. When one considers the rapid and rigid expansion that organic chemistry is undergoing today, the reviewer believes that the present treatise has been presented with good judgment and the text should be welcomed by institutions desirous of having the subject presented in a lucid manner. The writer of the book has a real appreciation of the scientific method, but appreciates the limitations of the average student and does not, therefore, weave into his text discussions which should never be considered until the student has acquired a good fundamental knowledge of the basic principles of organic chemistry. The writer lays great emphasis an the chemical behavior of organic compounds. This is an excellent feature and much better than the introduction of complicated reactions and preparations involving rarc organic combinationj whose real significance the average student will fail to grasp. Following each chapter are introduced problems designed to test the student's knowledge of his subject. The solution of these problems calls for a real knowledge of the ground work covered by the student
and serves as a means of evaluating his scientific intelligence and resourcefulness. There are many important features which add to the general interest in a text of this character, namely, suggestions offered about books to read, references t o important journal literature, and advice as to how to use standard works and chemical journals. In other words, we find introduced throughout the book a progressive method of teaching which immediately interests us. The reviewer believes the book will meet with success. TREAT B. JOKNSON First Principles of Chemistry. F. W. door so^, M.A., Sc.D., F.I.C., University Lectwer and Demonstrator in Chemistry. Cambridge, and A. J. BERRY.M.A.. Fellow of Downing .College, University Demonstrator in Chemistry, Cambridge. Cambridge University Press, London, 1927. vi 339 pp. 43 figures. 13 X 19 cm. $2.00.
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According to the preface this book is designed to accompany lectures in the universities of England, with the thought that it would minimize time for the students otherwise taken up by writing notes in class. According t o the preface, "General principles and general methods have been emphasized throughout, and details have only been stressed where they have a special significance." This does not appear to be carried out consistently. Much attention is ~ i w n to such topics as "lfydropen-Ion Concentration" and the "Chemistry of Colloids." Discussion of the Periodic Law is very brief, while discussions of the Laws of Multiple and Reciprocal Proportions are omitted. A study of the book discloses the fact that it may very well serve the purpose stated by the authors. I n the opinion of
