THE PWSICM. SCIENCES.E. I. Cable, Head of Science Department, R. W . Getchcll, Professor of Chemistry, and W. H. Kadesch, Professor of Physics, Iowa State Teachers College. F i t Edition. Prentice-Hall. Inc., New York City, 1940. xvii 754 pp. 300 figs. 16 tables. 15 X 23 cm. $5.00. The purpose of this book "is t o help the reader interpret intelligently the farces that make up the complex world in which he lives and t o place a t his disposal enough scientific knowledge to free his mind of prejudice and superstition. I t should aid him t o express himself accurately and t o understand and appreciate scientific methods of arriving a t the truth; also to form the habit of weighing values and reserving judgment until he knows all the Pacts." The book treats selected topics from the general fields of physics, meteorology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy. The authors have included selected lists of reading references, corresponding to the sequence of chapters, and lists of questions covering the subject material of each of the chapters in order. Each chapter begins with a brief historical discussion of the subject followed by a simple treatment of the technical and theoretical phases. The application of the theory to numerous practical problems is achieved through the use of a good selection of illustrative examples, problems, pictures, and diagrams. The important terms, concepts, laws, theories, and questions arising in the chapters are set apart in bold type as paragraph headings. The treatment in general is non-mathematical, a knowledge of elementary arithmetic being sufficient to comprehend the more technical discussions. Chemi-1 formulas and equations are also used sparingly. I n general the authors have succeeded in popularizing the discussions without sacrificingscientificaccuracy. The hook is modern, well edited, written in clear English, and has a pleasing, easy style. The component fields of physical science have been well integrated. The authors have shown good judgment in the selection of topics essential to a proper appreciation of our physical environment. The book should be suitable as a text in a survey course for the liberalarts student. I t should he recomeuded also for the lay reader. C. S. ADAMS
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IDENTIFICATION OP ORGANIC COMPOUNDS. A THE SYSTEMATIC LABORATORY MANUAL,Ralph L. 'shrine, and Reynold C. Fuson, Professors of Chemistry in the University of Illinois. Second Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York City. 1940. xi 312 pp. 17 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $2.75. "The primary purpose of courses in identification is t o teach organic chemistry rather than merely to acquaint the student with a system of analysis." With this high aim, the authors have produced a most stimulating, most teachable book. "It still requires the student to exercise his own judgment a t every step in the process." Numerous excellently planned questions, carefully placed throughout the volume, aid in this. For the more ambitious student, references to the original literature are given. The detailed directions, especially for the preparation of derivatives, clearly indicate that the book has had a thorough tryout in the hands of students, whose dificulties have been appreciatedand met. The writers show their knowledge of human nature and treat students as reasoning beings, not only by giving precautions, when advisable, but also by stating in same detail the reasons for them. The few adverse criticisms of the reviewer arise largely from his insistence that certain words, such as "salt," he used in a narrow, rather than a broad sense. The book-work is excellent. It is regrettable, if after a n introductory course in organic chemistry, a student should be deprived of a course based on this excellent manual. G. ALBERTHILL
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E~EcrnoNlc STRUCTURE AND CHEMICAL BINDING. Oscar K. Rice, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of North Carolina. First Edition. McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York City, 1940. xiv 511 pp. 91 figs. 15 X 23
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For graduate students and others wanting a comprehensive book in the field of molecular structure, especially as applied t o inorganic chemistry, Professor Rice's book fills a definite need. Starting with atomic theory and developing the quantum theory in some detail as applied to the hydrogen atom and t o many electron atoms, the author goes on with chapters covering theories of valence, covalent and iomc bonds, the solid state, ionic crystals, complex compounds, molecular crystals, metallic crystals, and aqueous solutions. The object of the book, according to the author, is "to see what light can be thrown on this field (inorganic chemistry) by the modern theory of the atom." Of necessity then, the book becomes "essentially a discussion of the chemical bond as exemplified in inorganic compounds." Though the approach is not mathematical, the author makes free use of mathematical formulas to express important results, omitting details of derivation. No attempt is made to apply wave mechanical analysis in an exact manner, the semiquantitative approach being largely used, supplemented where possible by the older quantum theory. To the chemist, this approach is most acceptable. The author devotes very little space to the concept of resonance, his reason probably being that he is dealing with inorganic not organic, compounds. However, the successful application of this concept to all fields of chemistry by Pauling suggests that it has as much value in interpreting inorganic structure as in interpreting organic structure. I n an appendix consisting of five parts, the author has gathered together some miscellaneous but valuable material aimed to help the student in acquiring a suitable basic background in classical mechanics, principles of equilibrium, nature of electrical forces. and the geometry of solid structures. The author has done a n excellent job in bringing together under one cover the many criteria bearing oqmolecular structure. As a reference book, 3s a "refresher," as a guide t o any trained chemist who iis willing t o put in time and energy, this book has real value and plenty of "meat." Any teacher of chemistry would do well t o have it on his shelf. I t cannot, of course, he recommended to the inexperienced student; it is not intended for him S m ~ s J. v FRBNCH COLDATB UNIVBRS~Y N&W Y 0 . K
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A COURSEoa STUDYIN CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES. Arthur A . Noyes. Late Professor of Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, and Miles S . S h r i l l , Professor of Physical Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Second Edition, rewritten. The Macmillan Company, New York City, 1938. xxv 554 pp. 33 figs. 14 X 21.5 cm. $4.00. This course of study, having been available in hook form since 1922, is so well known that a description seems almost unnecessary. Unlike most texts in physical chemistry, the problems are not incidental t o the authors' presentation but are rather the focal paint about which the discussion centers. There are four hundred ninety-eight of these problems scattered through the text. They have been carefully chosen for type, ideas presented and the requirement of logical, though not too advanced, thought for solution. Possibility of mere substitution in text-developed equations is minimized. The whole idea is t o stimulate the independence of thought necessary ta advanced studies. This text may be recommended without reservation for classes with sufficient background, to the mature student who wishes t o work through the subject for himself, and to all teachers of physical chemistry. M. M. Hanrrrc U~rvnas~ru on M ~ ~ a n m
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