BOOK REVIEWS student who has more than the minimal mathematical competence, they are not mentioned. Finally in Chapter 23 (Nnclear Reactions), long after chapters on Thermodynamics and Reaction Kinetics, the authors explain that the logarithmic rate equation comes from integrating the differential first order equation and then say to students who are taking ealeulus "You probably wondered all along why we followed such s tortuous path to arriveat the logarithmic rate law." I'm still wondering. The authors assume no previous chemistry and in the early part of the book use a historical perspective in introducing the concepts of element, compound, Avogadro's number, periodicity, etc. They correctly use the term mass when that is what is meant except in the hallowed expressions atomic weight and molecular weight. Even these misuses of language ought to be eliminated. After all the "atomic weights" don't go to zero when we firematter into orbit. The chapters on thermodynamics, atomic structure, bonding, changes in state, and reaction rates are descriptive and only semiquantitative. The descriptions, though, are quite gwd. Following these chapters inorganic reaotions are discussed in terms of types of reactions: Reactions of Elements with Each Other, Precipitation Reactions, Acids and Bases, Complex Ions, Oxidation-Reduction Reactions. In discussing electrical cells the authors very carefully use both standard reduction potentials (SRP) and standard oxidation potentials (SOP) which makes the treatment very clear hut does not quite follow the accepted convention on the matter. The final two chapters, Nuclear Reactions and Organic Chemisty, are tacked on the end to satisfv those who feel introductorv chemistrv 'should have a hit of
on in 35 pages. A great deal of care and efforthas gone into the writing of this hook and as a descriptive introduction to chemistry it is very well done. For the student who will study no more science in college this may he a very good hook. For the student going on in science, however, should we not encourage him more in the use of the language of science?
Foundations of Modern Organic Chemistry Series
Edited by Kanelh L. Rinehart, Jr. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The three books reviewed here are the first rwsilahle of a projected seventeen volume series, "Foundations of Modern (Continued on page A1000)
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BOOK REVIEWS Organic Chemistry," edited by KennethL. Rinehart. Each book, written by a teacher active in research, is expected to provide an authoritative and up-to-date treatment,, "in depth," of its subject at an ~mdergradoatelevel. The first ten of the series (three covering basic aspect of structure, functional groups, and reaction mechanisms; six, each dealing with a particular type of reaction; and one on organic synthesis) may serve as a text for a first course in organic chemistry. If its intended use is accepted, the series must be judged as a whole rather than as individual volumes. This is difficult with so little of it yet published. However, several of my comments apply generally to the three books at hsnd, and, perhaps hbg extension, to those forthcoming. On the whole, I am favorably impressed by the basic idea. and its execution. Two students who read the hooks at my request approved enthusiastically. Organization according to reaction t,ype, though no longer novel, has gained wide acceptance and seems to work well in practice. The writ,ers, rather than covering every aspect of a. topic, deal extensively with s. few important ones. Expositions are lucid and the books very readable. Problems s t the end of chapters are few in number, but interest,ing and challenging. The books are adequately, though not handsomely, illustrated. There are general references for further reading s t the ends of chapters, hut references occurring in the text itself are invariably to other volumes of the series. This is proper when the subject alluded to is expected to have extensive coverage in another hook and it displays an admirable confidence of the authors in their colleagues, since the volumes referred to apparently have not been written yet. But to rely entirely on this tactic seems a misplaced loyalty to the series. The student's interest might be better served by some particular references to more advanced treatments--or to the original work. Duplication in coverage, difficult to avoid in a series composed in this fashion, is minimal but not absent. The need for a short chapter on Chemical Reactions in Allinger and AUinger escapes me since that is the whole subject of Stewart's book. Each devotes three to four pages to thermodynamics, treatments that are essentially the same, hrtrdly adequate, and certainly not reinforcing. The crux of the matter is whether these books are presentations in depth (if that ubiquitous phrase still has any meaning). Taken altogether, I do not believe they will equal the immense compendium of material of Roberts and Casserio. Nor for the serious pre-professional are they a substitute for owning a book of that type. What they are is a substitute for you and me. Whether by design or not, these books are a close approarh to programmed learning; a s one of my students said, "They l e d you by the hand." They are lectures, very good lectures mostly, in print. Logicdlly they should be video(Continued a page AIWZ)
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BOOK REVIEWS taped. If students read then, (always s big if), most classroom time can he devoted to discussion, problem solving, m d dilat.ion onminor points. As far a?I know, neither the publisher nor the editor has ever touted this aspect of the series. Perhaps the present experimental aura, attached to programmed learning makes it a dubious selling point. However, any instructor who uses the series for his course should realize that he is partrticipntingin the experiment.
Structures of Organic Molecules
N o m L. Allinger and Janet ANing~r, both of Wayne State University, Detroit. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 196.5. xv 128 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. Clothbound, $4.95; paperbound, $2.50.
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The aothors' premise is that undergrduates can he taught structure on a purelv theoretical and physical methods basis, completely divorced from reactions, just 8s graduate students normally are. The difficulty is thst d i k e undergraduates, graduate students have the hackground to make learning st,ructure for its own sake highly reasonable and acceptable. Furthermore, even if they have not had a prior course in quantum mechanics, they have a thorough grounding in quantum concepts and have taken the necessarv mathe-
t,oor of qnantum theory, spectroscopy, kinds of organic molecules, reactive intermediates, and isomerism. The result is certainly an acceptable introduction to organic chemistry, and perhaps avery good one. However, I suspect that the average strident's reaction to "let us look a t the Schoedinger equation itself.. ." on page 7 is going to he one of bewilderment-not greatly enlightened by being told suhseqnently that H is an "operator" and il. is a "wave function." Throughout the hook, appeal is made to Schoedinger 8s dms ez machina, and while this mtly be necessary, it tends to inculczte a respect for dimly conceived aut,hority thst is antipathetic to the scientific spirit. Fmther, by treating it as the last, rather than the latest word, the anthors do little to foster a healthy skepticism that the student, not,ing the fate of the Bohr atom, might do well to maintain. Personally, I would prefer more space d e v o t ~ dto the emily obsemable and nseful macroscopic consequences of structure; dipolemoments, rotation of polariaedlight, solubility, and yes, even melling and boiling points. Proteins and carbohydrates are treated, hut not synthetic polvmers.
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