BOOK REVIEWS with the complete pertinent 'oibliography. Their original arbitrary numbering system has been replaced with that adopted by the Commission on Enzymes of the International Union of Biochemistry. The new system is not only used for the table but is employed throughout the text. The near solution of most of the biochemical pathways, the rapid developments in biochemical genetics and the progress in enzyme mechanisms and active centers and metabolic control are reflected in the new edition, as are the recent advances in enzyme purification. Because Ilixon and Webb have also been ooncerned with enzymes in relation to living systems, the book turns out to be, in fact, an excellent biochemistrv text. The authors have prefaced their book with a tribut,e to the prescience of Sir Gowland Hapkins by quoting his 1932 stabement: "It is, I think, difficult to exaggerate the importance to biology and I venture to say to chemistry no less, of extended studies of enzymes and their action." I t is not extravagant to say that Dixon and Webh's "Enzymes" has been in modern times tlle single most inlportant vehicle fur conveying the ~ealization of this prediction. That all biachemists, including research scientists, students, and t,eaahers should have this book goes without saying. Since this treatise is so self-sufficient and lucidly written, rhemisbs and biological scientists
A488
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Journol of Chemical Education
too will generally find it pleasant and informative. BERNARD AXELROD P u ~ d u eUniversity Lafayetle, Indiana
A
Tracer Experiment: Tracing Biochemical Reactions with Radioirotopar
Martin D. Xamen, First College, University of California, San Uiego. Halt, Rinehart, and Winston, Inc., New York, 1964. 127 pp. Figures. 13.5 X 20 cm. This book has apparently been written for people who hme heard of isotope traeer experiments, but do not know anything s t all about chemistry or physics. The first 85 pages m e devoted to haekgromd material, beginning with atomic theory, eombining weights and Avogadro's Law, and going on to atomic structme, electricity and magnetism, radioactivity and isotopes: only the last 25 pages m given over to the tracer experiment itself. This elementary material is boring to those who already know it, and is prohably too concentrated for those who do not. The description of the experiment itself is interesting. Knmen was one of the eo-discoverers of CI4, and he participat,ed in the tracer study detailed here. It is always nice to have the story of the development af a field described by one who ~ a r t i e i ~ a t e and d , in that sense the latter part of the book is quite worthwhile.
(Incidentally, K m e n has already told of t,he discovery of CI4, J. Cmnr. EDUC., 40, 234, 1963.)
PETERO E S P E ~ Hahnemann Medical College Philndclphia, Penmyloanla
The Nature and Chemistry of High Polymers
Kenneth F. O'Driscoll, ViUrtnovs University, Villanova, Pennsylvania. Selected Topics in Modern Chemistry. Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1964. ix 111 pp. Figs. and tables. 12.5 X 19 cm. Paperbound. $1.95.
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As a field of knowledge develops, t h e publications in the area follow s, typical pattern. The initial research papers are joined by specialiaed books and monographs, and then advanced textbooks appear. These are followed by mare elementary textbooks and eventually semi-popular books if these are warranted. Polymer chemistry is a mat,me field as is evidenced by the range af publications z v d a b l e in it. However, there has been lacking a book which one could use to introduce an upper level student to polymer chemistry. Billmeyer's "Textbook of Polymer Science" is an excellent introductory work, but, extensive and timeconsuming if read in depth. On the other hand, the shorter book by Sir Harry Melville, "Big 1Mole-
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