Willstatter (1872-1942), whose career was the subject of a recent article in THIS JOURNAL by &If Huisgen (38, 10 [January 19611), was one of the great masters of German organic chemistry and tion. The "Encyclopedia" remains a the recipient of the 1915 Nobel prize. valuable tool in which to initiate an inHis story is a reflection of the glory and vestigation of a n unfamiliar area, and the tragedy that is modern German &o is written a t an appropriate level so history. The Latter part of the book, that it is intelligible to the non-specialist. where WillstHt,ter, 8. Jew whose ancestors D. M . HD~MELBLAUlived in Germany for hundreds of years, University of Tezas relates how he finally had to flee from his Austin beloved German homeland, makes painful reading. These memoirs, whioh are truly an inside story of German chemical scholarship, are filled with delightful personal reminiscences and interesting anecdotes about the great chemists Willstatter was From M y Life: The Memoirs of associated with during the course of his Richard WillrtSmr remarkable career. One gathers that the secret of Willstiitt,er's pre-eminence in Edited by Arthur Stoll. Translated chemistry is due to two factors: first, like from the German by Lilli S. Homig. many other great scientists, he was not W. A. Benjsmin, Inc., New York, afraid to attackdifficult unsolvedproblems 1965. xiii 461 pp. 15 X 24 on. a t the frontiers of science and, second, he $8.75. was a connoisseur, not only of art and All those who are interested in the wine, but also of experimental organic history of organic chemistry will welcome chemistry. the English trs.nsletion of Richard WillThe translator is t o he commended lor statter's memoim. One hopes that the rendering these memoirs into fluent appearance of this book m a n s that English. I am sore that many organic similar important biographical and historichemists will want this volume for their cal material not yet available in English personal libraries. translation will soon he made accessible ta DAVIDH. KENNY English-speaking chemists, whose knawlMichigan Technological University edge of Germen is so rusty its to farce Houghta them to postpone reading i t indefinitely.
BOOK REVIEWS
+
A608
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lournal of Chemical Education
Casrirte Kapitel our der Abhandlung: ~ b e rdie Carboxytortronraure und die Constitutiondes Benzolr
Auousl Kekuld. Verlae Chemie. Weinhei&~ergstrasse, 196< 86 pp.' 22 X 28 cm. 83.75.
This handsome volume was issued in commemoration of the centenary (1965) of the Kekulb formulation of benzene. During the summer of 1883 Kekul6 sent s, manuscript bearing the above title to Volhssd (then editor of the A n d e n ) , who advised him to delete a section of the text. Kekul6 followed this suggestion (Liebigs Annalen, 221 118831, 230). Volhard's letter and Kekul6's reply open this book. Besides a Foreword by Richard Kuhn, the remainder of the hook is made up of the section omitted from the original
a t ~ & t a d t and is now brought to the attention of chemical historians. is benzene When Kekule brought out h formula it aroused criticism in certain quarters and other representations were advanced. As late 8s 1868 Kalhe asserted that benzene was T~irnelhix-Trimethan, an idea that reverted to the old type theory. Kekul6 proceeded to examine this notion and rejected it in no uncertain terms, along with E. von Meyer's notion in 1881 based on Kolbe's idem, that benzene is Triaeetylen. Volhard suggested (Calinued a page A610)
B O O K REVIEWS
The unpublished section of the manuscript and the letters are shown in facsimile with the printed text an the facing sides. Since this was before the day of the typewriter it must have added to the editor's woes when an illegible manuscript reached hi desk. However, both Kekulk and Volhmd wrote in a &in hand. This striking volume is a deiightful addition to the library of those who are interested in historical treasures.
RALPHE. OESPER Univmsay of Cincinnali Cincinnoti,Ohio Mixturn Mirabilir
Edited b y Vedag Chemie, Weinheim/ Bergstrrts~e,West Germany, 1965. 2nd ed. 80 pp. Numerous line drawings. 13.5 X 20 om. 10 DM (about $2.50). Far many years the periodical, Armhrichten aus Chernie und Technik, has included in each number a n item under the heading "Mixtura Mirabilis." Every few years these amusing tales and ssyingd are gathered into book form, divided into those concerning chemists and those dealing with the sister sciences, engineering, business, ete. The former are published in a hook entitled "Was Nicht in den
A610 / Journol of Chemicol Education
Annalen Steht" (see THIB JOURNAL, 41, A894 [I9641 for a review of the most recent edition). The non-chemical stories
addition to the literature of the humorous side of science and technology. The German-reading chemical fraternity will surely enjoy some goad laughs a t little expense. The appropriate drawings by Jochen Bsstsch, who also provided similar illustrations for the companion volume, add to the gaiety.
RALPH E . OESPER University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
