book reviews written and essentially free from erron and has more and better illustrations than competitive books. The topics covered include atomic structure and the electronic structure of the atom; chemical bonding in diatomic and polyatomic molecules, in transition-metal complexes, and in molecular, network, and metallic solids; and the structures of molecules and solids. Bonding is discussed initially in terms of Lewis structures; molecular orbital theory is discussed in more detail than in other introductory texts; the concepts of valence bond theory are also presented. Each chapter is fallowed by a n interesting and instructional set of problems (a total of 128). Each chapter also ~rovidesa list of articles and books which are suitable for more detailed studies. This book covers bonding in somewhat more detail and depth than is found in mast general chemistry texts. However, the level is such that mast students with a sound high school background in chemistry, math, and physics would be able to benefit from its use. One can always find some topics which one would handle differently than the author. The presentation of the relative energies of atomic orbitals seems rather elementary in comparison with other topics in the book. For example, the author daes not discuss the dependence of orbital energies on atomic number or extent of ionization. The discussion of infra-red and Raman speetrascopy is so brief as to be of questionable value. There are several good books on the market which cover similar material. I believe "Chemical Bonds" compares favorably with the best of these. It can be recommended as a teat for college students and for any person who wants an introduction t o modem bonding theory. Ronald C. Johnson Emory University Atlanta, Georgia 30322
The Origins of Life
L E O r ~ e l Salk . Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, California. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1973. vi 237 pp. 21.5 X 14.5 em. Clothbound, $7.50; paperbound, $4.25.
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The non-scientific community always seems t o be particularly fascinated by discovering that scientists speculate. The subjects of their speculation accordingly gain much attention. Any book hearing the title "Origin of Life" is certain to be thus attractive. A scientific treatise, loaded with the vocabulary of science that appears to be jargon to the non-scientist is as useless to this audience as is the emotionridden axe-grinding-for-teleolom that appears from some publishing houses sponsored by fundamentalist theological groups. This hook admirably avoids the first pitfall. Similarly, it is an admirable antidote to the latter kind of poison. The hook is written for non-scientists but the A594
/ Journal of Chemical Education
reader needs t o be willing to use chemical symbolism and to know what such words as "polymerization" mean. The very brief bibliography suggests sources for the more highly trained reader. The author's style is well adapted to his purpose. Clarity is enhanced by his precision and yet not obscured by bulky qualifications. The essential honesty of scientsts' stating how they interpret facts, design experiments to reveal additional facts, and build conceptual schemes to correlate their information is clearly obvious to the reader. There is a n abundance of information in these pages. This makes the hook worthwhile reading for any scientist wanting a balanced over-view of the current status of the problem (e.g., Important prehiotic molecules have recently been discovered in space by the radio-astromers.). There are bits of information that can help teachen concisely drive home important points (e.g., To develop a feeling for the vastness of time, the 100 human generations since the flowering of Greek civilization contrasts to the 10'3 generations of bacterial evolution). Careful statement of summarizing principles provides a sound basis for philosophical views: (e.g., "The replacement of 'will' by 'chance' as the mediator of biological change has transformed our view of man's relation to the rest of the Universe."). Not a few scientists currently are being thrust into the evolution-creationist controversy. This book properly avoids the pseudo-science of trying to answer any question of First Cause. Its information and point of view can well be used by those who properly try to keep "how?" from being obscured hy "why?". Highly recommended! WFK
Salt, the Mysterious Necessity
Edited by Mark Botterson and William W Boddie. The Dow Chemical Company, 1972.112 pp. 31 X 23 cm. $6.95. This little hook could he descriptively entitled "History and Salt" or perhaps "The Part Salt Played in World Trade." If anyone is looking for something pertaining to the chemistry of salt, i t is not present in this hook. Physically the book is very attractive, beautifully illustrated and well written. It consists of a series of short essays written by different individuals. Some of the information in one section overlaps that in otbers. Some of the chapters deal with: The physiological importance of salt, salt production methods and economics during the middle ages, salt and scurvy during long sea voyages, salt and the Aztecs, salt and the Civil War, the part Dow Chemical Company plays in obtaining salt. For history, economics, and trade information, this book provides a simple elementary portrayal. The level of the book is perhaps that of the upper elementary or junior high school grades. Unless one is interested in obtaining a historical back-
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