"If we imagine a flea on second base t o be the nucleus of a n atom, the nearest electron would be a speck of dust somewhere in the top deck of the stands." Each chapter is introduced by a n anecdote emphasizing the material contained in the chapter. For example a brief description of emphysema was used to introduce the chapter on the three states of matter. A useful feature of this text is the optional sections which may be omitted without the loss of continuity. The optional feature provides flexibility for the instructor using this textbook. The first three editions of this textbook were reviewed in this Journol. The first edition was reviewed by Jim Bier, 55. July 78: the second edition was reviewed by John R. Krikau, 60, July 1983; and the third edition was reviewed by John Alexander, 63, Januarv 1986. The reviewers praised the readability and the inclusion of current materials in each edition. All reviewers reported that theteutbook clearly met the objectives stated in the . m y goal is to present an intropreface: duction to t h e basic principles of general, organic, and biological chemistry in a style that is easy to understand and enjoyable to read." and later; "The hook is written for a one- or two-term survey course for students in the allied health sciences and related fields." Krikau, a high school chemistry teacher, suggested that this textbook would be a valuable addition t o the high school chemistry curriculum. Krikau's evaluation is certainly valid for the fourth edition. Alexander noted the lack of development of orbital theory hut did suggest that given the stated objectives of the textbook this omission was not a serious problem. The reviewer found that the fourth edition did not devrlop the concept of molecular geometry hy the traditional route uf using orhltals and hvhridi7ation but rather the aurhur provided hiagrams showing the three-dimensional structure of methane, ammonia, water,and hydrogen fluoride. While thisapproach may present a problem for the purist, it iscertainly in agreementwith the stated objectives of the textbook. A further measure of this textbook's rigor is illustrated by the fact that the concept of pH is presented without the use of the log scale. In the preface the author states: "One diff i c u l t ~in writing such a texthook is the lack of agreement on topics that should br included inth~stypeufsurveyrcurse."Inv i w of the author's stated objectives the u ) p i ~ ~ contained in this textbook are most appropriate. For the expressed purposes for which this textbook was written this reviewer rates Chemistry and the Liuing Organism an excellent textbook which would also serve as a valuable textbook for high school chemistry course. However, Chemistry and the Liuing Organism is not a textbook for s chemistry major's course. In addition because of this textbook's imbalance toward general chemistry, it is not an appropriate textbook for a year long chemistry course where general, organic, and biochemistry receive equal attention. If it were not for this imbalance this reviewer would adoot Chemistrv and the Lirminy O r ~ a n i e mfor his general chemistry cuurie, 1,erause it is a very wrll w i l t r n . interesting, and has anexeellent cham oitopics. This reviewer strongly recommends that all instructors who currently teach a chemis-
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try course for allied health science students and high school teachers examine Chemistry and the Liuing Organism. Richard E. Beizel Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN 56601
General, Organic, and Biological Chernlstrv.,S e c o n d Edition Michael S. Mafta and Antony C. Wilbraham. Beniamin/Cumrninos: Menlo Park. CA, 1986.'xiv 838 pp.iigs. and tables: 20.5 X 24 cm.
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This text is a renamed, second edition of Atoms, Molecules and Life. The new title reflects the author's no-nonsense approach that is used throughout the book. The usual supplements that nowadays seem mandatory for any text are available, for example, study guide, laboratory manual, instructor's guide (for both the text and laboratory manual). transoarenev masters. In 774 pages of text plus G4 pages of appendices, glossary, and mdires, n wrprising the text amwnt of rllatrrisli\pre~tntrd~nd is as complete as others with two-three times that length. The examples as well as the in-chapter and end-of-chapter problems are quite adequate. The latter do not include challenging material, which too often turns off any student tempted to peruse the final page(s) of a chapter. Coverage of topics, while complete, is not in depth. Normality of solutions is defined and discussed for acids and bases hut not for oxidants and reductants. This is not a serious omission because a simple extension of the concept of an equivalent of protons to electrons can be presented if desired by the lecturer. The omission of many combinations and permutations of fundamentals explains the conciseness of the text material. Nonetheless, the book has not been pared t o a bare-bones condition. Frequent short essays are ineludedtorelsteatoplr togrnerallv knownmedi. cal tcrhndwy. The physical hehavim
