BOOK
REVIEWS
University Chemistry John C. Bailm, Jr., and Therald Moeller, both of the University of Illinois, Urhma, and Jacob Kleinbwg, University of Kansas, Lawrence. D. C. Heath and 708 pp. Co., Boston, 1965. viii Figs. and tables. 17 X 24 cm. $9.25.
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When a new introductory chemistry iextbook hits the market, it is no surprise. But if that book b s a unique title, as this one did for a short time, that is worthy of note. About the only title which hasn't yet, appeared is "Higher Education Chemistry," and it is to be hoped that it never will. Certainly "University Chemistry" is not intended to be exclusive in its adoptions List, for many excellent colleges and junior colleges as well as universities will find it highly acceptt~ble. This product of three well-known inorganic chemist-authors is, as might he expected, strongly oriented towards inorganic chemistry. The first half of the hook presents prinoiples and concepts, using actual familiar substances as examples or models to illustrate st,ruotural and behwiorel aspects of chemistry. The second part is a thorough-at times rather heavy-treatment of the descriptive chemistry of the elements. In general, the hook is well written, scholarly, and unusually free from typo-
-Reviewed
bonding and descriptive chemistry. The covalent band is introduced in Chapter 3 in t e r m of the chemistry of water, and the next chapter interprets the ionic bond with sodium chloride as the model. Coordination chemistry is presented in the discussion of the first transition elements in Chapter 21. This ares. is covered in t e r m of the vdenee bond theorv of oomolex
graphioal errors for a first edition. It has several outstandingly good features, as well as some deficiencies. Illustrrttions are attractive, well-designed and numerous, although a simple reaction coordinate diagram showing energy relationships during the course of a chemical reaction would have been very useful in the discussion of reaction theory on pages 203205. The many tables of properties and other data. are especially appropriate. "University Chemisty" has without doubt the most complete and detailed index (25 pages, 3-column, small print!) that this reviewer has ever seen in an introductory chemistry hook. This aspect, so often carelessly done in otherwise good textbooks, is an excellent feature. Some of the other strong points of this book include the many appropriate literature references, frequent cross-references between theoretical and descriptive sections, an unusually large number of study exercises (with answers to numerical problem), and the artistic repmduotians of historical and alchemical prints which precede each of the 24 chapters. The appendix supplies a brief treatment of useful mathematical operations and a four-place logarithm table. Crtlculus is not used. The hook is especially strong and thorough in it,s treatment of structure,
in this Issue
John C. Railar, Jr., Therald Moeller, and Jacob Kleinberg, University Chemistry Donald H. Andrew and Richard J . Kokes, Fundamental Chemistry H . D. Crockford and Samuel R. Knight, Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry
George Wolf, Isotopes in Biology Lars Gunnat Silldn and Avthw E. Mavtell, Stability Constants of Metal-Ion Complexer Anthony Standen, Encyclopedia of Chemical Teohnology. Volume 5, Chlorine to Colors F D and C John T . Stock, Ampemmetric Titrations
JifL Starl, The Solvent Extraction of Metal C,helates Lawrence P. Eblin, The Elements of Chemistry Lnwence P. Eblin, The Elements of Chemistry in the Laboratory
Alfred Romr, The Discovery of Radioactivity and Transmutation Thmnas J . Haley and Ray S. Snider, Flesponse of the Nervous System to Ianieing Fbdiation J . 1 ~ Kwanau, e Structure and Function in Biological Membranes. Volume 1 A'. F. Mott and R. W . Gurney, Electronic Processes in Ionic Crystals
mentioned in a footnote. An excellent chapter on acids and bases points out the important aspects of the classical, the Br6nsted-Lowry and the Lewis theories. Frequent mention and use of these concepts is made in the text. Other subjects which are notably well t,rested are those of oxidation-reduction reactions, elect,mchemistry, and the states of matter. Celculations throughout the book are consivt,ently and effectively carried out by the "fac
