book reviews to footnotes to footnotes. It may causr schizophrenia. 4) I can find no other text on my shelves where the author's name is in isrger type than the title of the hook. 5) The beautifully colored representation of "odd shaped glassware" is not consistent with the statement in the unit on "spectmscopy" that foretells the d w m of "odd shaped glassware." 6) An author after devoting as much time as he must to produce a usable hook should not skimp on the last item of his production, the index. There are, in the index, many items missing or difficult to find. 7) A couple of figures have been excluded according to the numbering system in Unit 2. Speaking of figures, there is a reluctance, at times, to show plots and graphs when such would have been useful to the student. 8) The idea that "a paramagnetic suhstance weighs more" in a magnetic field is just not correct. The field gradient needs explaining. 9) Resonance configurations or struetures aren't "required." MO concepts do reasonably well without resonance canfignrations. 10) The first few times a rate expression is used, the student is left confident that the concentration's exponents come from a balanced equation. Too late in my opinion, the importance of experimental data is mentioned. 11) The author is a bit quick to belabor the United States' policies, for instance, in ABC warfare. A statement is made to the effect that we produce certain quantities of nerve gases an an "overkill" basis. There is another world power that did the ground work. 12) One of the really first class contributors to science will take issue with the spelling of his name, Schrodinger not Shrodinger. 13) I am suspicious h a t the "tetraamine" of cohalt(II1) was not used by Werner in establishing certain kinds of isomerism. 14) If in a hook of this size and comprehensiveness, it is possible to shortchange the audience in any area, it might he in the chemistry of industrial macromolecules. In conclusion, the hook is written for the student. I think he and she (students) will learn from it large chunks of chemistry and enjoy themselves doing it.
However, most courses in organic chemistry are designed for those planning to hecome chemists and most organic chemistry textbwks are designed to meet the needs of such students. In recent years, several hwks have been prepared which present the fundamentals of organic chemistry in a more concise form, designed to meet the needs of those who are not primarily chemistry students. A major difficulty in prepiring these hooks is deciding which material to include. In preparing this text, Dr. Linstramherg has decided to limit the use of electron theory in discussing organic chemical behavior and has restricted the use of reaction mechanisms to a minimum, presenting them only when they clearly aid the student's learning. The body of the text includes 17 chapters which can he divided into three groups. The first gmup includes 11 chapters dealing with hasic organic chemistry topics such as: General Principles, Saturated Hydrocarbons or Alkanes; Unsaturated Hydrocarbons-Olefins and Acetylenes; Aromatic Hydrocarbons or Arenes; Stereoisomerism; Organic Halogen Compounds; Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers; Aldehydes and Ketones; Carhoxylic Acids and their derivatives; Bifunctional Acids; and Amines and other Nitrogen Compounds. The second group includes three chapters introducing some fundamental concepts of biochemistry entitled: Carbohydrates; Amino Acids, Peptides and Pro. teins; and Nucleic Acids. The third group includes four chapters on practical aspects of -organic chemistry, wiih chapter; on: Natural Gas, Petmleum and Petrochemicals; Fats, Oils, Waxes, Soap and Detergents; Heterocyclic Compounds-Natural Products; and Color in Compounds, Dyes. The text is packed with illusttations which greatly increase the value of the hook. An especially valuable feature is the use of blue circles and arrows to show clearly the parts of an organic molecule involved in a specific reaction. Numerous practical exercises are scattered throughout the text, and supplementary exercises and pmhlema are included at the end of each chapter. A useful subject index is provided as well as a brief glossary of terms important to the study of organic chemistry. Dr. Linstromberg has prepared an excellent textbook which should certainly he considered by those presenting courses in organic chemistry for nonchemistry majors. Donald F. Lagsdan Jr. U s ~ ~ ~ c a d e rColorado ny, 80840
R. C. Brasted University 01 Minnesota Minneapolis, 55455
Organic Chemistry: A Brief Course
Walter W. Linstromberg, University of Nebraska at Omaha. Edited by Jacob Kleinberg, Univ. of Kansas. 2nd Ed. D. C. Heath & Co., 125 Spring St., Lexington, Mass. 02173. 1974. xii + 500 pp. Figs. and Tables. 16.5 X 24cm. $10.95. A knowledge of the fundamentals of organic chemistry is essential far those planning to enter a wide variety of professions.
Organic Experiments: For a Brief Course
Wdter W. Limtromberg, and H. E. B a u m g a r t e ~University of Nebraska at Omaha. 3rd Ed., D. C. Heath & Co., 125 Spring St., Lexington, Mass. 02173. 1974. 265 pp. Figs. and Tables. 16 x 23.5 em. $4.95. A course in organic chemistry, even a shortened course for nonchemistry students, would be incomplete without the inclusion of experiments applying the cancepts of organic chemistry. Dr. Linstmm(Continued onpageA215) Volume 52, Number 3, March 1975
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book reviews berg and Dr. Baumgarten have prepared this laboratory manual to complement Dr. Linstromberg's teat "Organic Chemistry: A Brief Course." The manual presents 30 separate experiments including 28 in the area of organic chemistry and two in the area of biochemistry. Each experiment is presented in the following format: a brief discussion of the concept, step-by-step instructions for performance of the experiment, a form for reporting data obtained, and a List of questions based on the experiments. Whenever the experiment calls for the assembly of organic glassware or other apparatus t o perform an operation such as distillation or requires special procedures, these are clearlv illustrated bv line drawines. All page5 in the manual are perforated, makmp. the experrmenral report form easy to remove fur gradmg L'nfurtunarelg, the manual is not designed to lie flat open, whieh would he a distinct advantage for the student. Suggested equipment, supplies and chemicals for each experiment are oresented in a useful aooendix. The experiments presented in the manual are presented clearly and appear quite ruitahle fur heginnma students in oraanrc ehemistry. Although the manual was prepared to support a short course, most of the experiments are quite suitable for use in a traditional organic chemistry course. Those presenting a course in organic chemistry either for chemistry majors or
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for non-chemistry majors will certainly wish to review this manual for possible course use. Donald F. Lagsdon. Jr. USAFAcaderny (DFLSI, Colorado 80840
(e.g., "Relate multiple bonds from octet bonding theory to o and n bonds in molecular orbital bonding theory." "Calculate equilibrium concentrations and equilibrium constants from given initial concentrations and other data." "Cite several properties of the element nitrogen. and he familiar with both lahnrato; and indu-trinl ~ ~ --~~-~ ~~-~ ~ methods of preparation.") The author lists page references in the textbook for each of the objectives. In some cases the list of ohjectives is followed by a reference to "Background" material germane to the subject whieh has been covered in an earlier chapter. A "Summary" of the material in the chapter is next presented, often with helpful diagrams, charts, or graphs. In some cases a model problem is set up and solved in this summary. At the end of each unit in which problem solving is appropriate, there is found a list of "Practice Problems" (usually about 6, hut ranging from 3 to 18). Each of these problems is followed by a step-by-step salution. Although the number of problems in some of the chapters seems minimal, if one considers the abundance of good questions in the textbook, the examples in the Guide serve as a n adequate supplement. The study guide covers the fundamentals well. One might be inclined to raise the question as to why a study guide is needed with a n excellent teat. However, as those who have taught freshman general chemistry are well aware, a considerable percentage of students feel more "comfortable" if their study activities are directed (Continued on page A218) ~~~~~
Student's Guide to Chemistry-A Introduction
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Modern
David Bmoks. Universitv of Nehmska W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1974. xvii 233 pp. Figures and Tables. 16 X 24.5 cm. $4.50. ~
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Unlike many outlines and study guides published in the past, this one is designed for a specific textbook, "Chemistry: A Modem Intmduction" by Brescia, Mehlman, Pellegrini, and Stambler. Each study unit corresponds to a like-numbered chapter in the textbook. Material designated as optional in the textbook is not covered in the study guide. The author, in pages iii to vii, sets forth the purpose of the guide. After describing the format of each chapter he presents some very helpful suggestions on how to study, how t o take lecture notes, and how to prepare for examinations. Each of the twenty-four chapters starts with a statement of "Performance Objectives" in which the student is presented with about ten skills he should have attained from studying the textbook chapter
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