BOOK REVIEWS biochemistry thsn the so-called secondary products of metabolism." Onc of tho liveliest chapters in the current volume, that on Alternate Routes of Metabolism of Saccharides, might have had morr relevance to the topics which d l appvar in Voli~mesV and VI. However, one must appreciate the arduous task of the editors who, to quote from their preface, "although they have preferred to delay pnhlieat,ion of individual volumea rather t,hm have chapters appear out of bheir organized text, have been confronted uith serious difficulties arising from the nrcessity of translating
manuscripts written in languages other than English. and of insurine the oublication of t&ts'already received without too long a delay." A considerable literature is now heginning to accumulate on the intramitochondrid distribution of lipids and i t is hoped that same attention will be paid to this area. ushen the metabolism of lipids is discussed in Volumes V and VI. Structural formulas, which are so central to the biochemical topics treated in the current volume of thin t,reati~e.are uniformly xteeurate and also are very clearly depicted. I n the reviewer's opinion, this comprehensive treatise when completed, rr4l be an invaluable rontrihotion to the
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literature of biology and will serve as sn essential guide to anyone concerned with modern teaching of biology and biochemistry. Certainly the area. of comparative biochemistry hill soon deserve a central position in our undergraduate biology curricula and it is hoped that even now it is given pmper attention in independent study programs. I t can beanticipated that the forthcoming volumes of "Comparative Biochemistry" will be of the same high quality as those which have already appeared. W. R. FRISELL The University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denwr
Essay on Atomism
Lancelot Law Whyte, Wesleyan University Center for Advanced Studies. Wesleysn University Press, Middle town, Connecticut, 1961. 108 pp. 14.5 X 22 cm. $2.95. Every serious student of chemistry ahoold read and re-read this book. Whyte has written an essay, a discussion of the unfinished chain of ideas from Ikmocritus' stoms and void to the current concept that s. single, unifying theory which erplsins the behavior of matter is perhsps possible. He asks this question: What kind of atomism ia necessary to describe the structure, in the observable universe, which persists and recurs; has anyone in the history of physics conceived the right kind of atomism for this explanation, only to have his conception rejected for reasons which could now he seen inadequate? Or has the time now come when atomism must be abandoned? Answers are not provided, though Whyte suggests a list of criteria. which, if we are not too restricted by braditional bssumptions and obstructive ideas, might app1.y. Clearly, as he indicates, a new breakthrough of this magnitude will he shocking to those who accept existing ideas as absolutes. The author is not concerned with whether or not atoms, nucleons, or other particles are red or whether they are merely economical ways of symbolizing experience. Rather, the emphasis is on the idea of discrete, irreducible units and how we came to believe in them. Whytc is interested in the implications of this concept for the development of science, which he characterizes as the interplay between ideas and measurement. His discussion of the development of thc atomistic idea is the best reason for recommending this book to all students. The flavor of the hook can he eonveycd by paraphrasing and quoting the huthor's statements: Atomism is the preeminent intellectual method, the only policy for intellectual exploration discovered so far which can be pursued systematically as a method. "Certainty expresses x psychological compulsion, [not] truly compelling reasons or facts." "Fertile theories often . . . elude clear definition." Planck's constant is an inference "regarding microphenomena known from maem-observntions." (Continued on page A532)
A830 / Journal of Chemical Education
BOOK REVIEWS I found this book stimulating and enjoyable, and hope that this brief review is sufficimt to stin~ulsteothers to use this hook thernselvei.
The Encyclopedia of Spectroscopy Edited by Cr'rorge L. Clark, C n i v r r ~ i t p of Illinois, Uibann. Reinhold Puldishing Corp., iiew Yarli, 1!lAO. xvi ( h,-i pp. Figs. nnd tables. IS X 26 cm. $25.
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This mc?rlopedia is compilation of articles in the field of spcrt,roscopy by many of the outetanding workers in this :wen. The coverage contains d l spectroscopic techniques including t h r newer tools such as st,ondc ahrorption, rlectron paramagnetic and nuclear m a g n d c spectm. I n general, one finrl~a veyy brief theoretied discussion, and l:~rger sections dealing with experiment,nl techniques and applications oi a particular lmneh of spectroscopy. The npplicntions are extremely varied, dealing with such lopies as the absorption amlysis of manganese, nicotine and fats, oils, f:ttty acids and glyceride p~rt,iele size analpis using gamma ray nbsorptiamrtry. The largest sections of this hook iErc concerned ~ ~ - i t h omission spectraaeapy and infrnrod nnalysis. The inclusion oi R chapter on differential thermal :mnlysis in a work such as this does not seem to l w justifiable. Most of the a r t i c l ~ sare wrll w i t t e n and ahould serve as s clear int,roduction for the heginning worl~rr. References are given a t the end of each swtion t o permit a more thorough it~vcstipntion of the material. The intnxluetory materi:d in the w d i a n on eleet,ron parankagnetic resonnnce is virtually the same xa that which appears in the Vminn l'eth,ninicnl Bullelin, Voh~me 2, Number 1, hut this sort 01 duplicntion is not present throughout the cnt,iro reference. This hook will he used mainly b" porsone u'ith no prior Intrliground in the v a r i o u ~awns or sprctrs. This hook should he n worth-u-hile addition t o industrial and college libraries.
T r r ~ o n o nR.~ Wlr,l.lws ?'he College uJ W o u n l ~ r IVooslw. Ohio
Organic Syntheses. Volume41
John D. Roberts, editor-in-chief.
John Wiley & Sona, Inc., New York, 1961. ix 118 pp. Figs, and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. 54. There are 28 syntheses, ranging from the preparation of diazomethane and 2-nitroethanol t o a steroid ether, terpene derivatives, acetylsted gluconic acid, and a sandwich compound, rnthocene. T h r
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(Continued on page A834)
A832
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Journal of Chemical Education
