940 J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., Vol. 38, No. 5, 1998
BOOK REVIEWS
job as reviewer to convince the readership of this journal that this book appeals not only to the experimental scientist but also to those in allied disciplines (e.g. chemical information science) as well. The author has a chemistry degree from Cambridge and has a long roster of writing in science and technology in a wide range of magazines and newspapers. From the acknowledgment to his teachers, it is obvious that the author received a liberal yet scientific education, and this is carried into the text of the book. Not only is the science described but also the various personal aspects including aesthetics, music, art, and architecture. Unfolding like a mystery novel, the principal characters are developed, and a journalist’s summary of what really happened is described, even in the face of a certain amount of after-the-fact controversy. In the course of describing this particular discovery, a number of other topics are developed including perceptions of scientific discoveries, research group dynamics, publishing practices, and use of the literature. In the Introduction, Aldersey-Williams outlines what he hopes to accomplish and begins to discuss scientific discovery, especially the parts played by serendipity and the Eureka! moment. I especially enjoyed the musical metaphorsscomparing the discovery process to the contrasts of a Mahler symphonysbecause I have been known to use musical analogies myself. The author also illustrates the significance of Buckyballs, especially in the perception of the public. Cosmology and genetics have stolen the limelight for both teaching and writing for the public. Aldersey-Williams even describes Buckyballs as a morale booster for physical scientists. In the Prolog, architecture is introduced as a narrative component in that two of the key protagonists, Harry Kroto and Richard Smalley, were both impressed with the U.S.A. pavilionsin the form of a Fulleresque geodesic domesat the Montreal EXPO in 1967. Chapter 1 is an primer on chemistry, especially bonding and orbitals and also sets the stage for the meeting and collaboration of Kroto and Smalley. Chapters 2 and 8 describe the original 1985 discovery of Buckyballs and the breakthroughs in 1990 which verified the structure and allowed preparation of quantities of Buckyballs at least visible to the naked eye. All the aspects of scientific research are described and humanized: cooperation, competition, publication, politics, funding, and research direction. The current importance of the latter is all too true: even discoveries in pure science are only deemed important if useful applications or technology can be derived from them. The other chapters help flesh out the story which, after all, is still continuing. I recommend this book as a good read for both scientists and educated laypersons. It should take its place on the bookshelves along with the popularization of science books of Isaac Asimov. With all due respect to this dean of the genre, I think that Aldersey-Williams’ book is made even more “human” and therefore even more enjoyable.
How To Find Chemical Information: A Guide for Practicing Chemists, Educators, and Students. 3rd ed.; By Robert E. Maizell. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York. 1998. 515 pp. ISBN 0471125792. $64.95.
Robert E. Buntrock Buntrock Associates, Inc
Tina E. Chrzastowski UniVersity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
CI9804239
CI980425T
S0095-2338(98)00423-5
S0095-2338(98)00425-9
Two previous editions of this practical guidebook to the chemical literature have naturally led to a third edition, now available 11 years after the second edition and 19 years after the first edition. According to the author, “this volume is an organized review and guide that describes and discusses how to evaluate and select the most appropriate chemical information tools and how to utilize them to best advantage” (from the Preface). Included in this scope are chemical information resources either appearing in print, traditional online, CD-ROM, or via the Internet. Major revisions and updates have been written for the third edition. Expanded and revised chapters deal with online tools (Chapter 10), major reference books (Chapter 12), environmental and safety information (Chapter 14), physical properties (Chapter 15), and business and marketing (Chapter 16). Two chapters on Chemical Abstracts (Chapters 6 and 7) have also been updated and revised to provide the most recent information available. In addition, an entire section titled “Internet Issues and Tools” has been added to the chapter covering online systems (Chapter 10). The third edition of this book again contains the type of information often needed “at hand” to navigate the chemical information world. For example, chapters covering online searching, patents, and locating physical properties provide basic how-tos and organizational guides. The author has also included an evaluative component to the third edition, with some chapters (especially those revised in this edition) emphasizing methods of evaluation applied to chemical information sources. As Maizell acknowledges, no book can completely keep up with the rapid advances in online products or the publisher mergers and acquisitions of our time. Any effort to keep current with prices, mergers, and product capabilities must include contact with publisher or product supplier. This book provides contact information in the form of addresses, phone numbers, and Web addresses. However, a more liberal and consistent use of Web-site addresses would improve the usefulness of the book as a referral tool. While the section “Internet Issues and Tools” contains many valuable Web links, this is often the only place in the book they can be found. Another suggested improvement would be to expand the “Help Available from Chemistry Librarians” section beyond three paragraphs. In fact, chemistry librarians provide advice and services for nearly every aspect of chemical information found in this book. These suggestions aside, How to Find Chemical Information is a useful guide and will be a welcomed addition to chemists’ bookshelves and library reference sections.
