book reviews Editor: W. F. KIEFFER College of Wooster W w t e r , Ohio
Introductory Chemistry
Edmund J. Leddy and Don Roach, Miami-Dade Jr. College. Rinehart Press, San Francisco, 1972. xv + 478 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 19 cm. $10.95. "Introductory Chemistry" is a text written primarily for use by students who enter college and have had little or no background in chemistry. It is designed with a list of behavioral objectives a t the end of each chapter to let the student know what he should he able to do after he has thoroughly studied the material. Each objective directs the student to designated exercises and problems which he can a t tempt to answer as a means of testing himself to see whether he understands the material. A brief summary of the chapter precedes each list of objectives. The book includes many topics normally encountered in traditional texts: atomic and electronic structure, periodicity, bonding, ionization, kinetics, equilibrium, oxidatian-reduction and some descriptive chemistry. Although this large number of topics may give the instructor the freedom to choose the material to be taught, some of the topics would normally be taught in a sequential general chemistry course. The text does not seem appropriate for a terminal student who would perhaps benefit more from a text which included more practical significance of chemistry and some discussion of the interactions of chemistry and society. The authors assume no prerequisite beyond basic algebra. Significant figures and scientific notation are dealt with briefly in the appendix. A detailed discussion early in the text explains the use of dimensional unity terms in solving problems. This method is applied consistently throughout the text. Although the concept of p H is introduced, no effort is made to familiarize the student with logarithms. One of the noteworthy features of the book is the presence of numerous solved examples within the text. The examples
are explained in step by step detail. There are many questions and problems given a t the close of each chapter with answers to some of the odd-numbered questions being provided in the appendix. The variety of questions is good and many of them stimulate interest by attempting to relate chemistry t o problems encountered in everyday life. Exercises and many simple, clear diagrams are placed throughout each chapter in the broad left-hand margin of the pages. The exercises should help the student to immediately check his comprehension of the material. This reviewer feels it is unfortunate that no answers are given for these exercises t o reassure the student when he is answering them correctly. The physical format of the book is pleasant. The wide margins with their many diagrams spare one from being faced with solid pages of print containing no variety. The few typographical errors were not of major significance. The periodic chart an the inside front cover is bewildering though, since it is not clear why ionic charges are shown for only a selected few elements. It appears that the authors have tried with much sincerity to prepare an intraductory chemistry text which by listing behavioral objectives and including example problems should be of much assistance to guide the serious beginning student to success in his first encounter with the study of chemistry. Katherine E. Weissrnann Genesee Cornmuoily College Flint. Michigan 48503
Environmental Pollution
Lourent Hodges, Iowa State University. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Ine., New York, 1973. xii 370 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 x 16.5 cm. $7.95.
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This book is intended for a one semester course in the "Physics and Chemistry of
. . .A461 Edmund J. Leddy and Don Roach, Introductory Chemistry . . .A461 Lourent Hodges, Environmental Pollution Jack G. Caluert, James N. Pitts, Jr., and George H. Dorion, Graduate . . A462 School in the Sciences, Entrance, Survival, and Careers . . . A462 Lloyd N. Fergusan, Organic Chemistry: A Science and a n Art . . . A464 Jerry March, Problems in Advanced Organic Chemistry Clifford J. Creswell, Olaf A. Runquist, and Malcolm M. Cambell, . . . A464 Spectral Analysis of Organic Compounds, 2nd Edition Manufacturing Chemists Association, Guide for Safety in the Chemical . . A466 Laboratory . .A466 Louis F. Martin, New Fire Extinguishing Compounds . . .A466 Publications of the National Bureau of Standards, 1971 Catalog . . . A466 New Volumes in Continuing Series
Pollution." Presumably this course is for undergraduate non-science majors, or a n introductory course for science students. At any rate, the physics and chemistry used is either rudimentary or not important t o the arguments presented. The book, (in my opinion), would make a n excellent second semester text for a nonscience majors course. Since i t gives a nice overview of the total pollution picture i t can also be profitably used for workers in the environmental field (lawyers, economists, and administrators, etc.) who need a quick acquaintance with the science of pollution. Two of my colleagues in this category who looked through selected sections of the book were favorably impressed. Any author who undertakes a book on "Environmental Pollution" which comprises only 329 pages has set himself a formidable task. Professor Hodges succeeds remarkably well, due largely to his facility as a writer. The book is excellent from this standpoint. It reads easily, the writing is clear and remarkably "tight" and is free of typographical and spelling errors. A reasonably complete job is done; after an introductory chapter, there is a chapter on population, four chapters on air pollution, one on noise, three on water pollution followed by single chapters on agriculture pollution, pesticides (which includes herhieides), solid wastes, thermal pollution, radiation, electric power generation, food, drugs and cosmetics, pollution in foreign countries, economic and legal questions and legislation. Each chapter is preceded by a paragraph appropriate to its content. Generally, this quote is from times long gone; it points up to the reader that pollution is nothing new. The quotes are well chosen. At the end are appendices giving units, journals, texts and treatises, and names and addresses of environmental organizations and agencies. The referencing is up to date through 1972. Most of the references are scientific, ie; they have been taken from the reviewed literature, but a fair amount of the material is from editorial writers, especially for "Science," some is from the news media, and a few are from unreviewed books which are, frankly, polemical. Of course the student and the scientist should distinguish between these three sorts of references but they seldom do. Hence a caveat for those who would use this book (or most of the similar texts). The author seems to steer a middle course in most matters of environmental controversy. He does especially well with the population problem presenting both Ehrlich's and Commoners' points of view without taking sides. The principle fault of the book is a n understandable tendency to over-simplify. (After all, how complete a discussion of thermal pollution can be put into 15 pages?) Data and facts are presented without much regard t o where the information comes from or how i t is obtained. 1 a m alwavs disturbed hv the lack of information on monitoring or data treatment in these books; even if it requires a separate treatment, i t should still be mentioned as a separate problem. The author glosses over the tangled web of ecological interdependence but there are also flagrant ex(Continued on page A462)
Volume 50, Number 9. September 1973
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book reviews amples of neglect in rather simple systems. Two examples; on page 84, where he discusses low sulfur fuels, he fails to mention that low sulfur fuels also lead to higher particulate emissions due to decreased efficiency of the electraetatic precipitators. In the chapter on radiation, he neglects hioaccumulatian factors and in the introdudion, treats the bioseeumulation as though it does not really occur (due to Sr/Ca discrimination). A second fault is a touch of naivete about environmental politics, action and reaction. One gets the impression that the environmental movement is being carried out by neat government scientists in white lab coats. Of course, this failing is common to most hooks of this genre. Ralph Nader is mentioned in passing, but somehow the author manages to get through a chapter on food, drugs, and cosmetics without once mentioning Consumers Union, and the Sierra Club is found only in the list of organizations on Page 342. Two of my favorite environmental horror stories are missing, the St. Louis baby tooth survey and the fire ant eradication program. They would serve as good examples of the results of citizen action and of the sometimes negative role of government agencies. The author also fails to mention social forces as a factor in envimnmental degradation. Again this is not a unique failing; perhaps it is better neglected than garbled. This can be a useful book for the purpmes for which it was intended provided that the reader is willing to supplement the book by reading some of the references. Harold W. Kahn Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Columbus. Ohio 43216
Graduate School in the Sciences, Entrance, Survival, and Careers
Jack G. Coloert, Ohio State University, James N Pitts, J r , University of California, Riverside, and George H. D a r i o ~ Bacardi Corporation. Wiley-Interscience, New York. nii 304 pp. Figs. and tables. 14.5 x 22.5 cm. $9.95.
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This book is dedicated to students. That makes it unique far a treatise ahout graduate schools. Our graduate dean agrees that useful literature directed a t present or prospective graduate students is indeed sparse. The authors are faithful to their target audience, students. Therefore, they rarely allow themselves the luxury of philosophyzing, sermonizing, or proselytizing. The subject matter is practical, up-to-date and comprehensive. The authors are chemists and the book reflects that disciplinary orientation. However. I believe the oractical advice which the bouk providea is mraninglul and umeIg for buth graduate studtnfr and faculty m all rxprrimmtal rcienres The authors' backgrounds and experiences cover the spectrum of academe, government, and industry and includes the perspective of management, administration, teacher, and
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Journal of Chemical Education
t o a n organic textbook. It offers more eommentary on the uses of organic substances than is found in a textbook. It can make a chemistry course more relevant and motivate those who have not yet developed an interest in the subject." In a grammatieally, scientifically and typographically wellwritten and refreshing manner he successfully accomplishes this charge. Chapter four (Commercial Uses of Functional Types) is the central focus of the book and should be required reading for any student completing organic chemistry. By discussing ether and anesthesia; nitro compounds end explosives; halogen compounds and pesticides; amines, the pain killers; synthetic dyes; rubber, textiles, and plastics; terpenes and steroids; saturated hydrocarbons, the motor fuels; flavor and fragrances; and detergents, the author provides a much needed treatise on the functions of organic systems to areas of their application. Upon completion of any beginning organic chemistry sequence many students remain puzzled by its practical significance. This chapter alleviates such a question mark. Here, the author discusses current topics of research development (e.g., insect sex attractants and juvenile hormones, prostaglandins) in addition to .the traditionally covered subjects. An added pedagogical advantage t o this monograph is the ease with which the author establishes foundations for sophisticated terms and advanced concepts. For example, his discussion of the significance molecular shapes and sizes play in producing various odors introduces the student to receptor cite theory while his analysis of detergents allows far a fruitful entry into the area of fatty acids, emulsifiers, sewage treatment, etc. As in other chapters, references for further reading are plentiful. The remaining five chapters function as a supporting foundation for chapter four. With a brief discussion of topics to be developed in greater detail later (e.g., chemotherapy, polymers, etc.), chapter one (Organic Chemistry-the Key to Better Living) defines and brings organic chemistry into current perspective. Chapter two (A Brief Historical Development of Organic Chemistry) is the only chapter out-oftune with the rest of the book. Barely more than a page, the information therein could be better served by a table. Chapter three (Structural Theory of Organic Chemistry) is a generalized review of structural organic chemistry. Here the author displays his unique ability to relate chemical principles to 'realistic concerns. An example is his discussion of ionic verWilliam 6. Dean - Cook.,~ ~. sus covalent bonding and the significance of such properties in sickle cell anemia. College of Natural Sciences Colorado State University This chapter is a study best suited for the Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 student nearing completion of the beginning organic sequence as areas such as isomerism, reaction dynamics and aromaticity are each dealt with in four or less pages. Further testament to the book's use as a supplemental text is the excellent Organic Chemistry: A Science and an Art capsule section on spectroscopy and its relation tofunctional groupanalysis. Lloyd N. Ferguson, California State In chapter five (Natural Product ChemCollege, Los Angeles. Willard Grant istry) the author uses natural products Press, Inc., Boston, 1972. 107 pp. Figs. (i.e., terpenes) as a profitable area to elaband tables. 14.5 x 21 cm. $2.95 paperorate upon structure determinations and back; $4.95 casebound. organic synthesis. Using well developed In the foreword the author states: "This monograph can be used as a supplement (Continued on page A464) student. I suspect that the manuscript war reviewed bv comoetent critics from other disrrplincs, minority puupa. and spouses t,f paduare studenr. Over 'lib pages of the 3.1 )-page book are text covering essentially every important decision and aspect of pre-, intra- and post-graduate school experience. The tent is interesting and easy to read. In this respect the book differs from many "howto" manuals. The Index, Bibliography, and the List of Appended Tables are comprehensive, up to date, and useful. Fiftythree references are cited, many of which deal with statistical information about the job market. The tables include the expected information on comparative salaries, numbers of scientists in various fields, sources of pre- and post-doctoral financial support, Federal research support, ete., but also includes less common information such as the addresses of national societies from which career opportunity literature may be obtained and a listing of major nonprofit research institutions employing scientists and engineers. The authors state that they will "tell it like it is," and they do. The style is simple and straightforward; sometimes rather chatty. A perusal of the topics and subtopics gives a clue to what one can learn from reading the book. For example, Part I1 is titled, "Life in the Academic Salt Mine." One of the chapters is "Meeting the Formal and 'Informal' Graduate School and Departmental Requirements.'' A suh-topic of this chapter is "Initiation Rites of Graduate School." One of the most interesting parts of the hook, in my opinion, is the sub-section on "Responsibility of Academic Life." These 38 pages are worth the price of the book for every faculty member who buys it. Down to earth, detailed guidance is given on how to prepare lectures, how to evaluate their effectiveness, and how to cope with various classroom situations. Accurate referince is made t o the credibility gap whieh exists between academe and scientific establishment an one hand and the public and their representatives in legislatures on the other. The authors give some very practical advice, including aetual examples, of how to meet the problem effectively. My son, who is a second year graduate student in biophysics, has been sent a copy of this book. Also, I have given a copy af the book to each of the chairmen in the College of Natural Sciences. At $9.95 a copy I had t o be convinced that the book was worth reading. I t is! ~
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