BOOK REVIEWS followed by a slightly different interpretation using new nomenclature, coupled with B review of recent work on esterases and including unpublished data. The combination is not successful. Using a definitive monograph t,o introduce new work is especially questionable, since results are presented without documentation and before being subject to critical review. A brief chapter by R. A. Alberty ~rovidesa useful summary of simple kinetic schemes available for interpreting experimental data. The most stimulating chapters are by R. Lumry and by thelato K. U.LindstrgmLang and J. A. Sehellman. Concerned with the relation of protein structure to cit-
tslysis, they provide clear presentations of recent views and are delightful to read because they complement but do not duplicate each other. Enzyme Models b y F. H. Westheimer serves to contrast the relative progress in understanding small molecules, as illustrated by the detailed information avsilable concerning coenzymes, with the prohlems involved in elucidating the "active site" of all-protein enzymes. Structural and Stereospecificity by H. Gutfreund perhaps stresses "100% specificity', too much. Successful theories of enzyme aetian must also explain cases of partial or even inverted specificity, which will become more common as synthetio substrates are used increasingly. The more speculative portion concludes with D. Kashland's presentation of his iruitful views on Mechanisms of Transfer Reactions.
Other informative chapters include Electron Transfer and Enzyme Catalysis by P. George and J. 5. Grillith, Coordinstian, Chelation and Catalysis by R. J. P. Williams, Sulfhydryl and Disulfide Groups af Enzymes by P. D. Boyer and, for complete coverage, Other Reactive Groups of Enzymes by H. Fraenkel-Canrat. Two biologically oriented discussions, Induced Formation of Enzymes by M. R. Pollock and The Control of Enzyme Activity by A. B. Pardee conclude the contents. Lack of correlation betw-een these and the subtitle is compensated by their quality and the importance of the topics. This volume presents general information on enzymes of interest to a wide audience. I t also contains ample discussions of some thoroughly studied systems, including three extensive treatments of acetyl cholinesterase. The casual reader must he warned, that the book is documentary rather than elementary and lack of uniformity in style and nomenclature do not make for easy reading. There is also considerable uncoordinated dupliration of material. Volume 1 of "The Enzymes" provides a wellFindexed reference to work in this field through 1950. GEORGEE . HEIN California Institute of Technology Pasadena The Enzymes.
Volume4
Edited bv Paul D. Bouer. IJniversitv of
Sweden. 2nd ed. Academio Press, 631 pp. Inc., New York, 1960. xx Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $18.
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TheEnrymes.
Volume 5
Edited by Paul D. Boyer, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Henry Lardg, University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Karl Myrbiick, University of Stockholm, Sweden. 2nd ed. Academic Press, Ine., New York, 1961. xix 645 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. $20.
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Unlike the first three volumes of this seven-volume treatise which deal with general principles andinformation common t o many enzymes, Volumes 4 and 5 are devoted exclusively to specific enzymes. Volume 4 coven a major portion of the hydrolases including those acting on peptide bands, other G N bonds, glucosides, carboxyl esters, organophosphorus compounds, and t h e phospholipids. Volume 5 continues with phosphatases, acid anhydride hydrolases, and phosphorylases. The volume concludes with treatments of tho enzymes concerned with the making and breaking of carbon-carbon bonds, isomerisation, and hydration and dehydration. As in the previous edition, the subject matter is partitioned among prominent workers in the respective fields. No attempt is made t o provide an exhaustive compendium of all enzymes and their properties. The choice is restricted to those whose setions or properties have been well studied. The result is that almost every chapter is a. unified and critical (Continued on page AZ44)
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BOOK REVIEWS account of a facet oi enzyme chemistry, and not overly encumbered with dangling trivia. In those cases where progress has been particuldy advanced, as among some of the proteinses, the amylases, and the isomerases, the chapters torn out to he as fascinating and of as broadly general interest ss the remarkable chapters in Volume I. In general, the rapid advances in enzymology since the previous edition have made it ~ossibleto snv somethinz
where possible has lent a universality of interest to many of the subject~which might otherwise have appealed only to the specirslist,. The critical and nellintegrated discussioa~which are a. feature of mast of the chapters rtro a, boon to the teachcr or researcher who can no longer contend with the esploding literature on& side of his narrow spcriality. The frequent emphasis on fundamental issues mill make this work an esrrllent adjunct
Those days are gone forever. If any criticism can be raised, it is thzt occasionally figures and data appear at the expense of vitlusble space, which add no more to the general understanding of the subject than would a few well-chasm words. Several short survey ehaptcrs are interspersed throughout the hooks which cover briefly the broad categories of the enzymes and servc to provide a pcrspective for the sperifir enzymes within these categories.
find this volume helpful in orienting him, but certainly he cannot expect to use it as a substitute for the original literature.
A Short History of Technology
T. K. Derry, Marylobone Grammar School, England, and T. I. Wzlliams. Oxford University Pross, New York, 1961. xiv f 782 pp. Figs. and tables. 15 X 22em. $8.50. This hook is intwosting and informative for both st,udents and mature historians. Nor is it too technical for the average reader with some ambition to learn technologicel sources. Sequd t o a fivevolume History of Technology, endotied by Imperial Chemical Industries, which appeared in 1954-8, written by Ringer, Holmyard, Hall, and Williams, this condensation was made to meet a demand for a smaller book. The authors attempted, and succeeded t,o s marked degree, to relatc the story of technological development to historical background. hl Chapter 1 there is n good general historical survey. Then fallow eight ehapkrs of Part 1 treating origins and early progrpsfi in food product,ion, domestic needs (,. ~ottrrv , . textiles. ivorv. " ~ woad. leather, glass), metal extraction and working, building construction, transport, communimtion and record, qoner sources, and the beginningri of chem~calindust,ry. Chapter 10 is another good historiral survey of the p c r i d li50-1900. Lator chapters provide a survey for new t,achnological developments, giving details in many cases, but skimming other subjects. How could it be otherwise in such an ambitious undertaking? All who read the book closely will note the freedom from errors of spelling, the choice and numhcr of illustrations, and the readable diction. Chemists and chemical engineers will be especially interested in Chapters 9 and 18, wherein are recounted tho beginnings and the rise of modern chemical industry. The greater interest and success in this portion of the book arc no doubt due to author Williams' previous text "The Chemical Industry Past and Present," (1953). References are good but could be more inclusive. The origins of most things are European and Americans would appreciate more on the beginnings of tho coal, eoment, leather, and s t c d industries in this hemisphere.
.
R. D.
BILLINcER
Lthigh Uniuerity Bethlehem, Penwylvania
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