book reviews calorie is cal, not g ezl as given on page 8. The integral ~ i g nused is small; it could be confused with J representing function by the unwary reader. The composition is relatively uncluttered, but occasionally the open space, use of parallel columns and irregular pacing makes a page confusing. All of these are minor poinia. This new condensed handbook of chemical, physical, and mathematical information should be a welcome, handy addition to anyone's library whether he be undergradnitte, graduate, professor, or industrial worker. At his fingertips for one tenth the usual cost is most of the information he might spend long periods of time searching for i n the different sections of the handbooks already on the market. MILTONCOOP^ Wilbur W~ightCollege Chicago, 111. 60654
Molecules, Measurements. Meanings: A Laboratory Manual in Biochemistry
David W . Krogmann, Purdoe University. W. H. Freeman and Co., San Francisco, 1971. x 90 pp. Figs. and tables. 27.17 X 21.5 em. $3.25.
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A definite need exists for an inexpensive, thorough lab manual that will excite students ahout modern biochemistry. The presently reviewed manual only meets the first criterion, although it contains several interesting experiments illustrative of intermediary metabolism and photosynt,hesis. The good humored style of the author stands out in several passages, particularly in the brief introdoct.ion on lab safety, but there is very little to jmtify the author's stated goal of relating biological phenomena "to contemporal.y experience" of the student. The mctnual
negative rotations, stereoisomerism is equated with optical isomerism, salt fo~mationwith ionized aide chains of proteins is said to decrease the protein solubility, the expression "beta helix" is used t o imply a. left-handed polypeptide helix, the K M of an enzyme is equated with the eha~aetmistieafinity for its s n h t m t e , %he Robertson-Danielli membrane model is resented unauestioned. the viacositv of a intact, etc. The manual also iiuKers from the inchsion of several trit,e non-experimenh. Observing s. proteolytie enzyme digest its way through a gelatin capsule or watching a cut apple consume oxygen might be good classroom demanstrstions, but these procedures neither challenge the imagination nor the intellect. Likewise, i t is a direct insult to issue to the students pseudo twodimensional paper chromatograms of a single amino acid which have already been prepared from a, template; the student
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Journol of Chemical Education
could play mmo productive games than just spraying paper with ninhydrin. Such procedures are devoid of didactic strategy and lack the true spirit of sn experiment a t the college level, where R. student is eniitled to know that results in the laboratory frequently don't turn out as if they were modeled from a template. I n addition, a. gross editorial error was made in leaving the composition of several key reagents and experimental salut,ions to be included only in a. separate Teacher's Manual. This fosters the already prevalent tendency of laboratory "cookbook experiments." This arrangement does not encourage t,he student to inquire into the basis of v~rioU8characteristic tests whose
integral part before selecting the manual far my students. The propriety of specifying a trademarked household product is questionable when other brands are available (dear plastic wrap, in this case). This is also true of reagents and substrate specialties available from, biochemical supply houses; the author should have made.grester effort to suggest alternatives. The simple schemes included in the manual for building molecular models may be interesting lea~ningaids far the beginning students, especially if somewhat gmater sophistication were introduced into these exercises. The manual is weak in modern experimental technique (such as spectroscopy, isotope methodology, etc.), but it is strong in the iBe of fresh and live biological material for metabolism experiments. A second edition with the proper revisions could be made into a useful manual for a college-level elementary biochemistry course.
JOHN N. ARONSON St& University of Nnv York at Albanu
The organization of the review follows that of R. C. Fuson ("Reactions of Organic Compounds," John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1962) and t,hos eomplements this well known text. The first two chapters discuss aromatic substitution reactions. Chapter three covers additions to olefins, hydroboration, aldol condensation, and related reactions. Chapter four discusses molecular rearrangements involving nitrogen and oxygen and oxidation. Nucleophilie eliminations, displacement, and addition reactions are discu~sed in chapter eight. Reduction, free radicals, and halogen compounds are the subject of the remaining two chapters. There are a few lrtpses in neatness and a few errors in the structural formulas but in general the errom in the text were rel* tively few and of a minor nature. The most serious error was the misspelling of a n suthor's name in the text and the index. The width of the margins seem excessive and adds to the bulk of the book. There doesn't seem to be any good reason for this except that the author might have intended to use the margins for notes. For the firsbyear graduate student who is studying for cumulative examinations, the book is s, must. A number of students who have used it here have indicated that the book is well worth the price. JOSEPHV. PAUICSTELIS Kansas Slate University Manhaltan, 6650!2
Principles of Polymer Systems
Ferdinand Rodriguez, Cornell University, Ithica, New York. McGraw-Hill 560 Book Co., New York, 1970. xi pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. S18.50.
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"Principles of Polymer Systems" in a textbook designed for either a n advanced Syntheses and Reactions in Organic Chemistry
William E . Parham, University of Minnesota. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1970. 547 pp. 89.95. This book is intended as a self-study aid for the first-year graduate or advanced undergraduate student. For this purpose the book is ideal. I t reviews in a logical sequence all of the major synthetic reactions that any student should be familiar with. I t provides a competent examination of the mechanisms of all of the resctions that is pitched s t the correct level-
parti multiplying by three or four times the number of questions that are answered. At the end of each chapter there are ten or more supplementmy questions that are useful in checking the level of underrjtanding achieved in the chapter. These questions were merely adequate. The best feature of the book is the large number of references throughout. Every example that is given is well documented.
written '% rela& the behavior of polymer systems whenever possible to examples that are part of everyday experience." It is this reviewer's opinion that the author has indeed been successful in producing s. book which meets this aim. H e has presented comprehensive and well written, in the main, introductory chapters on the structure of polymeric materials end their means of formation followed by a series of lucid chapters of the mechanical and physical properties of high polymers. The book commences with two brief but informative chapters on the vrtrious types of polymeric materials and their basic structures while the third obapter covers the physical states (crystalline, amorphous) and transitions (melting points, glass transition) inherent in polymeric systems. This latter chapter is undoubtedly (next to the final chapter) the weakest presentation in the book. This is the result of too short a mesent* tion. (Continued a page A78S)
