JULY. 1935
391
The fifth subdivision (J. A. Mills, 41 pp.) examines the correlation of configurations. Compounds are correlated by chemical reactions that do not involve an asymmetric center, kinetic studies of a displacement a t an asymmetric center, physical methods like X-ray and electron diffraction, and enaymatic procedures are described and illustrated. Section sir (L. Hunter, 27 pp.) containins an excellent summary of the ~tereoehemistryof the hydrogen bond or bridge. The problems related to the linearity of this type bond, hindered alcohols and phenols, the relations to geometrical isomerism, strength of acids, and the hydrogen bond as a factor in crystal structuve we explored. Part seven (E. J. Ambrose, 35 pp.) is an account of the stereochemistry of compounds of high molecular weight. A discussion of the general principles and experimental methods is followed by an examination of long-chain hydrocarbons, the structure of proteins, and polymers containing ring structures in the mitin chain. Chapter eight (V. P. Whittaker, 37 pp.) is an interesting eramination of the problems of the stereospecificity of enzyme reactions. Information relating to gluco~idases, oxidaees, proteolytie enaymes, cholineaterases, and inhibition by organophosphorus compounds and other substances is reviewed. The concluding section (R. S. Nyholm, 39 pp.) is entitled "The stereochemistry of complex compounds." Over one-half of this chapter is devoted t o the nature of chemical bonds involving s, p, and d orbitals. This information is then related to elements with coordination numbers from two t o eight. The final part deals with steric changes during chemical reactions. An appendix by A. MacColl summarizes information on bond lengths, bond mgles, and van der Wa& radii of atoms. In a monograph of 360 pages which endeavors t o condense information that is constantly undergoing expansion and revision, the editors must of necessity omit many interesting subjects and oompress others within narrow limits. This should not elicit captious and frivolous criticisms if it is managed with skill. It is a pleasure to observe that the dkcriminatingselection of topics of "Progress in Stereochemistry" and the high level of competence in handling the ideas merit the most generous applause. GEORGE HOLMEE RICHTER
On page 270 the last two statements are completely cantradictory. The next to the laat is wrong and should have been omitted. The teacher will be able t o rationalize around it, but the beginning student will he trapped by one of the most obtuse points in ionic equilibrium. On this subject, why "SPC" for K8.,.when K*,r,,non is used when dealing with weak acids? The reviewer has never obtained an "oxidizer" a t a plumbing shop, but many "reducers." The author forgets this "nomenclature" an page 141, and with the rest of his colleagues says "oxidizing agentrr." HARRY H. BATEY, JR. STATEC O L L E ~OPE WABRIN~TON PULLM*N. W*sn,~oroa
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TWO EARS OF CORN
Claire Leavitt MocDoweIl. The Pequot Press, Stonington, Connecticut, 1954. 242 pp. 14.5 X 21.5 om. $5. THIS is the life story of a "printer's devil" on a country newspaper in the Spoon River Country, Illinois, who became advisor to Wilson, House, and Baruch a t the Peace Conference in Paris. I t is a fascinating, significant story taken from his diary, nates, and scrapbooks of yesterday's great men and political issues and business policies that throw light on our inherited problems today. Not only was he in the .thick of political events but he himself occupied a key position in the development of chemical plant foods in this country snd in modern application of fertilizers to increme the American farmer's income and our nation's supply of fibers and food. Puttingseience to work to save packing-house wastes and putting them in fertili~erpractice was his crowning contribution to American industry. And all of this is an a m a ~ i n g revelation of how World War I wrts won, and how the Peace of Versailles was lost. Mrs. MacDowell's straightforward story of her husband's personality and policies is a. valuable contrihution to our business and political history. This book will also have value in showing how industries start rtmall and grow; how oremieations are formed and welded: how business and
GRETA OPPE
CHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
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H. V. Anderson, Professor of Chemistry, Lehigh University. Sixth edition. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1955. viii 305 pp. 11 figs. 20 tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $4.75.
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0 FIFTY-FIVE COLORFLTL YEARS THISbook, now under the sole authorship of Professor Anderson, is chiefly a revision of the Gfth edition which was written Ernest T. Trigg. The Pequot Press, Stonington, Connecticut, by Long and Anderson. The sections on significant figures and 1954. xvi 307 pp. 14.5 X 21.5 cm. $5. exponents have been promoted to Chapter I, a highly comIF YOU read "TWOEars of Corn,'' the life story of Charles H. mendable procedure. Unfortnnately, the good section on logarithms, in the appendix of the 6fth edition, has disappeared. MaoDowell, then you will want t o read "Fifty-five Colorful The great emphasis on worked, illustrative problems with eom- Years." Like MacDowell in fertilizers, 80 Trigg's book is the plete dimensions has been retained. A rough count showed more story of the paint industry and a firsthand story of how he, as than 160 oroblems worked out in detail. some bv two and three ~ - an . office ~ boy, climbed up t o become one of our industrial leaders and representatives of business during wartime and reconstrucaooroaches. I n manv cases cxoerimentd t,echninnen m-.-... e nt,ilired in the approach to a new type problem. I t is a solid, thorough tion after World War 11. It is a story of leaders and politics; of presentation of the caloulrttions t o be faced in a beginning chem- sacrifices and triumphs; OPA, NRA, and the New Deal. His istry course. There are nearly 900 problems for the student t o book is alive with anecdotes of outsbnding men of the &st half of the twentieth century. This autobiography is a wholework; about half of them have answers. The very breadth and thoroughness of the coverage produces some story of American initiative and enterprise. It is interesting the biggest abjection to the hook. The price (a reasonable one that all rovalties forthcomine from this book so to a foundation in view of the fine job done and the nature of the suhject) is high. A text, a lab man&, a supplement of this sort, and the cost of books for the beginningchemistry course apprmohes $15 and that is too much. Sections in the chapter on density and to promote the industry in every possible way. specific gravity and the material on gas analysis might well have GRETA OPFE been omitted to help cut the cost. It remains, however, a fine BALLRIG=SCH& investment for the serious student of beginning chemistry. G*w~a~on TEXAS ,
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