reviews lnorganic Chemistry, 3rd ed.
Physical Chemistry
A. G. Sharpe. Longman Scientific & Technical. Wiley: New York, NY, 1992. wi + 702 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 x 24.7 cm.
In the preface to the third edition, the author states that his aim is to provide, within a single volume of moderate size, a &tical introduction to modern inorganic chemistry." To this end, the author has been successful. This concise text clearly and concisely outlines the major topics of interest to inorganic chemists today. In agreement with what is stated on the back cover and in the preface, one of the strengths of this book is the extensive moss-referencing of material. Likewise, the listing of other sources a t the end of every chapter would be beneficial for someone interested in further study of a particular topic. One unusual feature of this book is that the opening chapter deals with nuclear chemistry. While a t first this might seem illogical, after reading the chapter and continuing on in the text, the usefulness of this approach becomes apparent. Unfortunately, a s a textbook, Sharpe's Znorganie Chemistry falls short. In his search for brevity, the author has, for many topics, not succeeded in fully explaining the principles involved to a level that would he necessarv for a student studvine advanced inoreanic chemistrv far the ti& time. In addition. Ihroueh the inclusion of more fig&es and tables, the text would he m;ch easier to understand for the student. For examnle. there are onlv four pages dealing with symmetry lncludeda; only two mo
