J ~ h e m l s t r y Thlrd , Edltlon Raymond Chang. Random House: New York. NY, 1988. u i v 1046 pp. Figs. and tables. 21 X 26 cm. $37.00 PB.
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This t e r t is a revised versionof the second edition of General Chemistry by Chang. A quick glance a t the new Table of Contents might suggest more radical changes than have actually been made. Multiple chapters in the second edition have been coalesced into single units, and chapter titles have been simplified; however, most of the same material is presented. The new organization streamlines the presentation and has the positive effect of emphasizing the eontinuity of the previously separated material. The presentation of topics is standard. Quantum theory, electronic structure of the atom, and bonding are developed after stoichiometry, thermochemistry, and gases. Chapters on oxidation-reduction reactions and kinetics are placed between ones on bonding and chemical equilibria, but these can fit into a variety of teaching sequences. Descriptive chemistry is presented in a systematic fashion in chapters devoted to main-group metals, to nonmetals and to transition metal chemistry; additional elements of descriptive chemistry are inserted throughout the text. Organic, polymer, and nuclear chemistry conclude the text. Each of the chapters contains solved problems in the text with references to similar problems in the chapter exercises. However, general problem-solving strategies are not developed in the solutions, and the student can learn to imitate the steps associated with a particular type of problem without grasping the concepts enough to apply them in anew situation. Also, few of the miscellaneous problems at the end of the chapters
-Reviewed
appear to present such novel situations, and most would not challenge a bright, well-prepared student. The third edition features an increased use of color. For example, color plates open each chapter and introduce "tidbits" of descriptive chemistry into chapters containing primarily conceptual material. Line drawings and graphs are presented in multiple colors, rendering them more interesting visually. The enhanced use of color in the hook is effective and should help engage the interest of a generation of students reared on color television. The "Chemistry in Action" essaya contained in each chapter will also captivate the interest of the students. In these essays, the chaoter material is avolied to imoortant pmhlems such as salvaging the rcrorder tapes from the space ehurrle, Chnllenger, or used to explain the fundnmental chemistry behind many practical topics; e.g., tooth decay and acid rain. The layout of the book, together with the text, illustrations and example problems combine to make a very readsble hook. While I think this text would he a very good choice for a course offered to nonchemistry majors who require a full year of chemistry, chemistry majors with a good mathematics background may not find the contents sufficiently challenging. There are few mathematical derivations, most discussion remains at the qualitative level, and a few inaccuracies arise from simplified explanations. Students pursuing more advanced classes may find that the inaccuracies pose problems in later chemistry courses.
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Juliana Boerlo-Goates Brigham Young University Provo, UT 84602
Blochemlstry, Second EdRlon Gsoffrey Zubay. Macmillan: New York. NY, 1988. xxix 1266 pp. Figs. and tables. 22.3 X 28.4 cm.
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Writing a biochemistry tert today is a most formidable task for several reasons. First, the field is growing explosively. Second, the field encompasses and requires expertise in several subdisciplines of biology and chemistry. Finally, there are a number of h i d e m i s t r y courses at various levels: one-semester courses requiring one- and two-semesters of organic chemistry, fullyear undergraduate courses requiring organic and physical chemistry, and graduate level courses. The audience can be just as diverse-chemistry, biology, health science, biochemistry majors or medirnl student... Zuhay's ae~ondedition of Ntmhemirrry addresses the broad and growing field in the same manner as the fi& edition by using several authors (28 in this edition) to write chapters in their field of expertise. One would suspect that with this approach the text would end up like a team-taught course in which there is little cross communication among the various instructors, hut in general the formula works in this book as Zubay seems to have coordinated the authors and their chapters very well. Each author not only contributes his or her expertise in the subject area, but also adds an enthusiasm that few biochemistry teachers can sustain across a spectrum of topics ranging from eukaryotie gene expression to bioenergetics. With the use of multiple authors, the chapters are as up-to-date as possible. The major difference between this and the first edition is the order of the topic% The first edition used s nonstandard and
In This Issue Revlewer
Raymond Chang, Chemistry, Third Edition Geoffrey Zubay, Biochemistry, Second Edition G Marc Loudon, Organic Chemistry, Second Edition F. Albert Cotton and Geoffrey Wilkinson, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. Fifth Edition Robert H. Crabtree, The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals Russell W. Phifer and William R. McTigue, Jr., Handbook of Hazardous Waste Management for Small Quantity Generators New Volumes in Continuing Series Monographs Textbook Announcement Titles of Interest
A102
Journal of Chemical Education
Juliana Boerio-Goates Charles L. Bering S. Miles Wood Laurence J. Boucher
A102 A102 A104 A104
George B. Kauffman
A106
Malcolm M. Renfrew
A106 A106 A106 A107 A107
