book reviews Descrlptlve Principles ol Chemistry
Hyrnan D. Gesser, The University of Manitoba. The C. V. Moshy Company, St. Louis, Missouri, 1974. xv + 701 pp. Figs. and tables. 18 X 24 em. $13.95. This is a general chemistry textbook which is intended to "provide a foundation and working knowledge in chemical bonding, thermodynamics, the states of matter, equilibrium, chemical kinetics, and electrochemistry." This reviewer feels that Prof. Gesser has admirably met these objectives. Each chapter is followed by references to choice supplemental reading. The language is crisp, there are few instances of gnarled syntax, and. there are no gimmicks. The tenor of the text is one of rigor superimposed on an analysis-synthesis approach. Theory is central, but the boak entertains no mindless taboo which prevents a healthy questioning of, say, the uniqueness of melting temperature. Three chapters on thermodynamics and thermochemistry (not yet in S. I. units) comprise nearly 15% of the text. Thermodynamics is imbued with life; it is not treated as some sort of voodoo. The parts on bonding and on electrochemistry are challenging, and the graphics are clear. Topics such as viscosity and fractional distillation are handled analytically rather than by qualitative description. There is little on colloids, hut osmotic pressure is covered well. The book might not appeal to those afflicted with the silver ehloride-green gas syndrome. The use of "Descriptive" in the title is misleading; perhaps the word should be deleted. The principal shortcomings of the text are as follows. The first portions are so heavily weighted with atomic structure, the periodic table, and bonding that there is little support for the first laboratory work. Ionic equilibria come a t the three-quarter point, rather late. Only about 6% of the pages deal with inorganic chemistry. Ele-
mentary crystal field and ligand field theory, along with the transition metals, occupy only 12 pages. Silicon rates 112 page; mineral silicates are not even mentioned. The synthesis of ammonia is slighted. There is no systematic presentation of radiochemistry, but decay kinetics is handled in the chapters on chemical kinetics. A better choice than HaS could he made to illustrate distribution curves (p. 514). The dissolution Ag3P04 in water fails to consider the hydrolysis of the phosphate ion (p. 517). Superacids are not mentioned. The rare earths are presented only in connection with other topics, such as the Lanthanide contraction and electronic configuration. The index cites Fe, Co, N, P, and B, but not S, Cl, Br, K, Ca, ammonia, or hydrides. A section on the marvelous instrumentation available to chemists today would he welcome in future editions. James C. W a d UnivmHy of Southern Califomis Los Angsks. CA 90007
lnlroducllon to Chemistry
T. R. Dicksan. John Wiley & Sons, Ine., New York, 2nd Ed. 1975. xix 457 pp. Figs. and tables. 18 X 26 cm. $11.95.
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In a review of the first edition of this teat, Kent E. Backart [this Journal, 49, A37 (1972)] pointed out its strong points in some detail. Designed for a ane-semester terminal course, or as s quick overview for students intent on later extended study, it begins its chapters with a helpful list of objectives, and ends them with good questions of all degrees of difficulty. In hetween, are paragraphs written in an easy style with apt analogies and good illustra-
tions. The book is completed with six useful appendices and an index. In this new edition, one finds the same sequence of topics in the same format, presented for the same purposes. Now in 15 chapters, as against the original 13, the same material has been covered. with the addition of new diagrams, new problems, and an increased emphasis on important topics. Although many paragraphs have been expanded in an extensive rewriting, enough others have been compressed t o make the boak size the same. Even the lists of objectives have been scrutinized and changed: now there are "Terns to Know" which accompany them. All of these revisions strengthen the text, for they result from the combined experience of the users of the first edition. After noting these favorable points, can one find any features t o criticize? Yes, if he cares to, for the difficulties are more or Less obvious. No matter how skillful the author. nor how heroic his efforts, it is impossible to do justice t o six branches of chemistry in one short semester. The attempt to cover so much material results in some amazing disparities. Far instance: in Appendix I, a half a page is wisely devoted to a discussion of how t o add and subtract. Yet. in onlv six pages of this same hook (pages 235-2401 we find 3 ronriar inrrod~jcriunto iogsrnhms. p H huffw solurioni. indicators, equihbrium constants, ionization constants, and solubility product. Can that possibly he effective? However, the same criticisms could be levelled a t almost any text of this category. I t is not the author's feult that all-of-chemistry-in-one-semester is a n impossible concept. Grant him the premise that it can be done and ought to be done, and you recognize that he has chosen his topics well. Although no one could reasonably treat more than ten chapters in one semester, it does no harm t o have the other chapters there. The teacher is given a choice of alternatives, and the student who wishes t o read more will be rewarded for his efforts. The book is attractive, thoughtfully designed and carefully proofread. Despite its 30% surfeit, i t is small enough to carry around and use conveniently. One could give an interesting course from it. R a w D. Eddy Tufts UnivsrsHy Medford, &ssachusens 02155
-Reviewed in this Issue Hyrnon D. Gesser, Descriptive Principles of Chemistry T. R. Diekson, Introduction t o Chemistry John R. Holurn, Elements of General and Biological Chemistry. Fourth Edition Philip S. Chen, Entertaining and Educational Demonstrations Dorothy M. Goldish, Basic Mathematics for Beginning Chemistry Leonard Soltrberg, Arurng A. Shan, John C. Sober, and Edgar T Conty, Basic and Chemistry Farrington Daniels and Robert A. Alberty, Physical Chemistry A. Wood, Problems in Physical Chemistry N . H. March, editor, Orbital Theories of Molecules and Solids B. J . Wakefield,The Chemistry of Organolithium Compounds New Volumes in Continuing Series
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Elements of General and Blologlcal Chemistry. Fourlh Edition
John R. Holum, Augshurg College. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1975. aii 565 pp. Figs. and tables. 18 X 26 em. $12.95.
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"Elements of General and Biological Chemistry" is the latest edition of a tertbook whose earlier editions have been very popular and widely adqpted. The texthook is a survey of inorganic, organic, and biochemistry (205, 114, and 246 pp, respeetively). Each of the 22 chapters consists of (Continued on page A5221 Volume 52, Number 11, November 1975 / A521
