BOOK
REVIEWS
John Dalton and the Atom
Frank Greenaway, Science Museum, South Kensington, London. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, 244 pp. Plates. 14 X 21 1966. x cm. $6.95.
+
The commemarstion of a great chemist's birth by the publication of a detailed analysis of his life's work is both a tribute to the man and s timely occasion to review his contribution to the development of chemistry. The year 1966 marked the bicentenary of the birth of John Dalton, the great English chemist who first developed a workable chemical atomic theory and enunciated the famous laws of combination which bear his name. Although there have been many articles published in recent years on various aspects of Dalton's life and work, there bas been no full-length study of Dalton in this century. Dalton and Lavoisier were to chemistry what Newton was to mathematics and celestial mechanics. Jointly, their contributions were of inestimable value in bringing about the birth of modern ehemistry. Frmk Greensway's excellent book goes a very long way toward filling the need for an up-todete survey and evaluation of Dalton's signal contributions to chemistry at the turn of the nineteenth century. It complements the recently ~ublished "Biblioersobv of Works bv ind about John b8'lto"n2' (~anchestei, 1966), by A. L. Smyth. (See m r s JOURNAL, 45,A1098 [December, 19661.)
I n 11 carefully documented chapters' Greensway (one of the Leading modern authorities on Dalton) has presented a. chronological account of Dalton's life and work from his boyhood in Eagle~fieldand Kendal, through his adult life in Manchester and other British cities. I n addition to the 11 chapters there is s section on Notes and References and an index. The introductory first chapter (pp. 1-7) places Dalton's early research in perspective with regard to the general background of chemistry m it existed at the end of the eighteenth century. The second chapter (pp. 8-31), The Importance of the Atomic Theory, traces the development of the physical and chemical theories from the early Greeks to preDaltonian times. The third chapter (pp. 37-2-56), The Soientific Scene in Dalton's Early Years, describes the scientific and particularly the chemical climate as it existed when Dalton began his meteorological and chemical investigations. In chapter four (pp. 57-87), Dalton's Early Life and Work, Greenaway traces in a most fascinating way the "selfdiscovery" of Dalton in Kendal while he worked as a Quaker school teacher, and his wrestling with himself in the choice of a career. Chapter five (pp. 8&104), Dalton in Manchester, deals with his color-blindness, and the genesis of the chemical atomic theory for which he is immortalized. Chapters six, seven, and eight (pp. 10&180) discuss his work in physics, the origins of the chemical atomic theory, and its reception. These chapters constitute the very essence of the book for
Frank Creenauray, John Dalton and the Atom L h Velluz, Vie de Lavoisier Bessie Zahan Jmes, editor, The Golden Age of Science: Thirty Portraits of the Giants of 19th Century Science by their Scientific Contemporaries Michael P . Olmsted, Enrichment Experimen& in Basic Chemistry J. H. While, A Reference Book of Chemistry Alsoph H. Cowin and Maurice M . Bursey, Elements of Organic Chemistry: As Revealed by the Scientific Method Cordon M . Hawis, Chemical Kinetim Eugae G. Rochow, The Metalloids H a r d H. Clamsen, The Noble Gases Himshi Walanabe, Operetor Methods in Ligsnd Field Theory Hermann Rbmpp, Chemie Lexikon. Four Volumes E. H. E. Pielsch and the Gmelin Institute, editon, Gmelias Hmdbucb der Anorgsnischen Chemie. 8 Adage, System Nummer 57, Nickel. Teil Al, Geschiehtliches, Vorkommen, Darstellung Roger W. Moss,JI., csmpiled by, The J. W. Morgan Collection in the History of Chemistry: A Checklist
New Volumes in Continuing Series
the modern chemical reader and are excellently written. Dalton's great book, the "New System of Chemical Philosophy" (1808, 1810, 18271, is discussed in detail, as are the other papers on the development of his chemical atomic theory. Chapter nine (pp. 181-ZOO), Dalton's Later L i e describes his work on sulfuric ether, animal beat, microcasrnio salt, sugar analysis, etc., and also the tardy award of his many academic honors. Chapters ten (pp. 201-23) and eleven (pp. 224-7), Dalton's Legacy, and A Salutstion, respectively, sketch the iduence of Dalton's work on the development of chemical theory in the years immediately following his death in 1844 and on to the beginning of the twentieth century. This is an enjoyable, scholarly, and inspiring book, written about the tribule tions, struggling, and ultimate success of a truly great man. The story of Dalton's life should serve as an inspiration to the countless research chemists of today who are striving to make chemistry, and hence the world, far better by their discoveries. The book is warmly recommended to all students and practicing chemists who are interested in the history of their subject. ROYG. NEVILLE Boeing SeiatifLc Research Labmatortes Seattle, Washinglon
Vie de Lavoisier
Lbm Vdluz. Librairie Plon, Paris, France, 1966. 237 pp. Photagrqhs. 14 X 20 cm. Paperbound. 15 F (about $3). So much has been published regarding the life and activities of Lavoisier that only specialists end polemicists can reasonably hope to dredge up really new facts about the great early Frenoh chemist or to present novel ideas about him. However, he occupied such an outstanding place in the beginnings of modern cbemistry and was such a competent administre tor in a variety of directions and his life had such a dramatic ending, that books dealing with him will always have s. wide appeal to the general reading public. This book is designed for such readers. Those seeking information about Lavoisier and his rtccomplishments should look elsewhere. However, the author has included a lengthy detailed Chronologie that gives explicit dates of important happenings that pertain to Lavoisier or that infinenced his activities. I t spans the period from 1680 to 1794, i.e., from the founding of the Ferme g6nbra.k to the date of Lavoisier's execution. I t is assunled the reader knows, at least in a general way, what Lavoisier accomplished, or the author takes for granted that his readen do not care to be particularly instructed in detail about such matters. The author treats hi subject objectively; he is neither a blind Lavoisier enthusiast nor a fanatic iconoclast. He presents his facts and ideas in clesr fashion and allows
Volume 44, Number 8, August 1967
/
487
his readers to come to their awn decisions. Newpapem, etc., both contempomry with Lavoisier and those that appeared subsequently, are quoted freely on both sides of the various topics. A well selected bibliogrsphy appears in the Appendix. Lavoisier's chemical contemporaries are presented adequately in short biographical notes. Though the photographs are few in number they are well chosen and beautifully reproduced. The Epilogue deals with the events that occurred after Lavoisier's execution on the guillotine, namely the restoration of his confiscated fortune and Madame Lavoisier's remerriage and divorce from the American Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford). A separate Chronologie is provided for this period, namely from 1794 to 1836, the date of her death. The reasonable price and the excellent writing offered in this book make it a good buy for libraries and individuals, who may wish to read for themselves what a French scientist of today thinks about his great predecessor and countryman. RALZA E. OESPER University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
The Golden Age of Science: Thirty Portraits of the Giants of 19th Century Science by their Scienlific Conlemporarier
cated roughly by the birthdates of the svbjects from 1738 to 1859. The authors of the essays were eminent scientists in their own right; they often were personauy acquainted with the men they were writing about, and thoroughly at home with the subject matter. Many of the earlier essays were composed by the perpetual (permanent) secretaries of the Acadkmie des Soiences, who presumably had a wide acquaintance in the various fields of science. These earlier essays are notable for the language employed; it has an old-style flavor, showing that style as well as the sciences has kept pace with the years. The essays were aimed at the general scientific audiences; the treatment is not highly specialized, though a working knowledge of the usual soiences is assumed. In other words, a. reasonable maturity is expected of the reader in scientific matters and the book will have little appeal to the average scientific neophyte. There is much solid reading matter offered here and ample time for digestion is essential. Chemists will be particularly interested in reading the essays that deal with GayLussac, Bunsen, Berthallet, Ramsay, Arrhenius. However, d l of the essays are worthy of serious attention in the interests of widening the too provincial outlooks that characterize entirely too many scientists these days. All readers will be interested in the Introduction by Everett entitled The Context of Nimeteenth-Century Science. In it he discusses "the interaction of science with its surrounding society. and the appreciation of the inner logic that ties together all scientific activity!'
..
R N . ~E. OESPER University oj Cincinnati Cincinnati. Ohio
Edited by Bessie Zaban Jones, with an Introduction by Everett Madelsohn, Harvard University. Simon and Schuster, New York, 1966, in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution. 659 pp. 14 X 21.5 cm. $12. xxxiii
ture of Ions and Identification of Unknown Solid Salts, are quite systematic and should belr, the student review and or~anizefactuai knowledge gained from doing earlier experiments. The more quantitative experiments m e classical in nature and include work with the laws of chemical combination, titrations, molecular and equivslent weight determinations, and some calorimetry. In general, student direotions are adequate. However, some experiments are lacking diagrams which might better enable the uninitiated student to visualize the procedure as he studies it before class. Some demonstration-type experiments to be performed by the instructor are included. In general, these are taken out of the student's hands for reasons of safely. The format used in the studentexperiments is: introduction, procedure, questions, including data and results where appropriate, and notes. The latter includes explanations, suggested references, and interpretations of observations made on reactions that the first-year student could not reasonably be expected to make on his own. Some experiments contain many subexperiments. Often, these are test tube reactions of a given kind which, if all were performed and interpreted by the student (orfor him, if necessary) and eventually understood by him, would give him a. tremendously useful fund of factual knowledge and serve to illustrate the kinds of reactions that chemists find fascinating. The student would have had a great deal of valuable practice in thinkmg about reaction mixtures in terms of the species actually present before a. reaction occurs and those produced by the reaction. This should give him a better than average feel for the idea of ions (including oamplex ions) being participants in oxidation-reduction, neutralization, and hydrolysis reactions as well as in precipitation and dissolution reactions.
+
Beginning in 1858, the Annual Reports of the Smithsonian Institution included "biographical memoirs of grest mientists, written by distinguished scientists who as contemporaries could both vividly evoke the personalities and times and authoritatively estimate the achievements of their subjects." This praetice ended in 1931. The more than 100 biographies published in the Reports constitute a collection of valuable accounts of the meaningful accomplishments of scientists in all branohes-astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, geology, geography, mathematics, meteorology, natural science, paleontology, physics, physiology, zoology. Some of these essays were written in English, such as the Memorid lectures delivered before the Chemical Society of London. Many of them however were originally intended far non-English audiences and so appear in the Reports in translation. In all cases, the translations are well done and it is unfortunate that the translators are not named in the great majority of instances. The editor, a competent science writer and historian, has selected thirty of these essays for inclusion in the volume under review. These span the period as indi-
488
/
Journal of Chemical Education
Enrichment Experiments in Basic Chemistry
Michael P . Olmsted, Wilbrahttm Acad,emy, Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Hayden Book Co., Inc., New York, 112 pp. Figs. and tables. 1966. vi 18.5 X 26 cm. $2.96.
+
This laboratory manual was written to accompany a traditional course in firstyear high school chemistry. I t is organized in four parts: (1) adiscussion of general laboratory practice (including both experimental techniques and the usual treetment of accuracy of measurement, experimental uncertainty, and error), (2) a brief treatment of the mole concept, (3) directions for the 31 experiments, and (4) appendixes (including tabulated constants, a bibliography, and lists of supplies and reagents needed). Directions for the preparation of special reagents are also given. About half of the experiments cover ohemistry that is essentially descriptive. The last two, Separations of Mix-
may be casting about for a complete laboratory book should be aware of this omission. The importance of collecting data and analyzing it through graphing and, in general, trying to formulate generaliaations from the data. collected (esperidly from the discovery point of view) is not reflected in this manual. Perhaps the author is attempting to curb or reverse a. trend toward physical chemistry in high school. In m y case, he bas ohviously chosen to include a great variety of chemical reactions in the laboratory experience of his students. Some unusually interesting reactions have been included and they are well organized to represent the various categories of reactions in depth. This depth and variety of chemistry explored is the manual'sforte. The quantitative experiments are short enough to be done in a 55-minute period. Some of the descriptive experiments with their many parts require a t least two such periods if all parts are used and the student takes nates on observations and tries to interpret these as he works.
FRANK S. QUIRING Clayton High Sschool Clayton, Missouri
