And the reviewer would add: To you in the classroom, today's children but tomorrow's men and women, this book is also dedicated, for the reviewer herself is a product of the creative work of E. E. Slosson and thewisdom of "Out of the Test Tube." Chemistry is fortunate to have a spokesman like Dr. Harry N. Holmes. GRETAOppe B A L L H l O R SCBOOI.
GALYBSTON, TBXAS
S ~ m ~ r RESINS r c AND RUBBERS.P a d 0. Powers, Chief, Organic Research, Armstrong Cork Company. John Wiley & Sons. Inc., New York, 1943. v 296 pp. 49 figs. 42 tables. 14 X 20 cm. $3.00. This is a very gwd book. I n its 296 pages it contains an amazing amount of good and accurate information on the subjects covered by its title. Much of the material had been used in ESMDT and ESMWT courses. I t is well classified and seems to unfold in a logical sequence and an ever-expanding array of astanishing reactions and properties of substances in this most interesting and useful field. The author had the able assistance of Dr. K. H. Weber who not only helped in writing the manuscript but also wrote the chapter on "Synthetic rubbers," and of Mr. A. S. Hussey who collaborated in writing the chapter on "Phenol aldehyde resins." Besides the chemistry of the reactions and their complete and well-printed structural formulas, there are also given very gwd
+
histories of the reactions, many helpful charts and tables, and methods of manufacture and commercial uses of the important products. The polymers of commercial importance are described in greater detail than those of only theoretical interest. At the end of each chapter are several thought-provoking review questions and references t o pertinent books and articles in the literature. Only chemical names are used in the text since the author's charts prepared for "Plastics Catalog, 1943" give the trade names. However, the addition of the trade names would be useful. The following list of the contents of the book indicates the wide range of subjects covered: Theories of Polymer Formation; Condensation Polymers, phenol aldehyde, urea and melamine formaldehyde resins, polyesters and polyamides; Vinyl Polymers. polyvinyl acetate, chloride, alcohol and ethers, polyvinylidene chloride, a q l a t e and methacrylate resins. polystyrene, and hydrocarbon resins; Synthetic Rubbers, palychloraprene, polybutadiene, polysulfide and polyhutene rubbers; Resins from Natural Products, cellulose nitrate, cellulose esters of organic acids, cellulose ethers, and resins from rubber; and Application of Synthetic Resins, solvents and plasticizers, and synthetic resins as plastics and in synthetic coatings. In a book of this kind with so much excellent information, a more complete index would be very desirable. HARRYL. FISHER US. 1woosraru. Caalarc*Ls, IN". ST*Y*O.D, CONNRCTTCUT
