BOOK REVIEWS merization, the structure and properties of polymers, the interaction of polymers and liquids, synthetic organic addition polymers, synthetic organic condensation polymers, inorganic and semi-inorgmic polymers and natural organic high-polymem. Each of the topics discussed, if treated exhaustively, would occupy several valumes, and such volumes are available; however, the discussion included here is adequate for the beginner in polymer chemistry, either as a. student of chemistry or chemical engineering a t the undergraduate level or as s. research chemist in the laboratory beginning a program of synthetic polymer chemistry or a study of polymer properties. Xumerous references are included to introduce the reader to these valuable treatises on the various subjects. The biochemist interested in becoming more familiar with the chemistry of the svnthetir counternarts of the natursiderahle value. The teacher of organic or physical chemistry a t either the graduate or undergraduate level would find this book quite useful as a supplementary text for introducing t h e subject of high polymer chemistry to his students. As a text for a course in high polymer chemistry a t either the advanced undergraduate or graduate level this book would be ideal, pmvided a p p m priate supplementd matenal either fmm the wealth a i sperialized topics sources or from the current literature were used. The format and illustrations are plonsine to the reader. and tonic headines within e&h chapter arkset a p a k for easfincrttion by the onsunl or rapid reader. The various methods of determination of molecular weights and other physical properties of polymers are discussed briefly and the fundamental theories presented. Little detail as to the experimental procedures necessary fur carrying out these operations in the laboratory is given, but reference material is cited. The tremendous importance of stereirregularity in polymers is perhaps not sulliciently emphasized in the b m k , although a discussion is present,ed. Numerous interesting and potentially important polymer systems are omitted. For example, the "1-nylons" derived from anionic polymerization of organic isocyanates are not discussed; however, such recent mpolymers as the tetrafluoroethylene-trifluoronitrosomet,hane copolymers are hriefly referred to.
GEORGE R. BUTLER Cniumsity q f Floioridla Gainesuiile Essentials of Biological Chemistry
James I,. Fairlag and Gordon I,. Kilgoi~r, Michigan State University, East Lsnsing. Iteinhold Publishing Corp., Xew York, 18fi3. xiii ? X i pp. Figs. :md tables. 15..5 X 23.5 cm. Si.50.
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The authors lxwe undertnken t o write 3 text for an introductory course in hio(Contintred m page AQOZ)
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BOOK REVIEWS chemistry a t the undergraduate level, based on their experience in teaching students with x wide range of major interests and widely varying preparations. They have written a short but comprehensive, well-integrated book to aupport such an objertive. While it is not designed spedieally as a preparation for advanced work, i t will open interesting vistas and may well stimulate a desire for a. mare rigorous consideration of topics here touched lightly. "Certain aspects of organic chemistry . . particularly important for a clear undentanding of the structures, functions, and reartions of various compounds of bioelrxnical importance. . have been selected for very hrief review and re-analysis" in Chapt,er 1. I n the discussion of the chemistry of the proteins, amino acid and peptides, the carbohydrates, the lipids, and nudeic acids and the nueleotides, "only those details most necessary for the comprehension of the processes of metaholism and the research methods of the biochemist" are p r e sented. "Much material traditionally included in introductory courses has been omitted." In the light of their objectives, their selection is good. One would trust that the instructor using this textbook would refer to or even go deeper into the chemistry of biochemical materials and the chemical aspects of the reactions described, to provide comprehension of processes and methods subsequently to be discovered or introduced on the rapidly advancing frontiers of biachemistry. The abler and better prepared student should then be stimulated to further
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i f enaymesbas not yet be&me standardized" without, however, reierenre to the recommendations presented m the recent Report of the Commission on Enzymes of the International Union of Biochemistry. Since, " in many succeeding reactions the nsmes of the eneymes will be ammitted for simplicity," s. fuller presentation of the naming of the enzymes would be valuable. The authors present briefly, but clearly, with formulas, equations and diagrams, the essentials of the intermediary metabolism of the carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and amino acids, and the binsynthesis of these substances, and of the purines, pyrimidines, and urea. They have made a successful endeavor to bring the material up-to-date. The student is given briefly a basic acquaintance with a areat variety of related .&d pertinent topics. The authors recurrently emphasize inter-relationships in the processes of metabolism and the coordinated contml of these. They b r i q out explicitly interpretations that are not commonly presented except by implication. The book beam evidence that it is the product of interaction between Mudents and teachers. With each chapter there 1s a well-selected (Conli7~uedon page A904) A902
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BOOK REVIEWS brief list of references for "suggested additional reading." This book may he commended warmly to the attention of those teaching biochemistry as a terminal course for those undergraduate students, not highly trained in chemistry, who would otlwwise fail to encounter hiorhemistry as a. separate discipline.
RALPHC. CORLEY Purdz~eUniversity Lafayetbe, Indiana
On Divers Arts: the Treatire of Theophilur
Translated by John G. Hawthorne, University of Chieaggo, and Cyril Stanley Smilh, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1963. xxxv 216 pp. Figs. and tables. 17.5 X 25 cm. $8.50.
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The i n c ~ m e dinterest in the history of technology during the last few years is continuing to be astimulus for the puhlication of srholarly translations into English of important technological texts written in medieval Lat,in, old I t d i m , old German, and other difficult languages. The present volume is a. welcome addition t o the small group of English translations of treatises which deal more or less wit,h chemical technology. The present work also is of special interest since it marks the coo~erative effort of the well-known
donym of s German metalworker and Benedictine monk, Roger of Helmmshausen. Theophilus' treatise written in medieval Latin is partioulsriy important for the history of chemical technology, since it has been well established that t,he writer of the treatise was a practical worker in the arts which he describes and not just s. compiler of recipes 38 wm common with most authors of medieval treatises on technology. Theophilus was not a scientist in our modern sense hut s. technologist skilled in the best techniques concerned with the manufacture, preparation and mixing of pigments for painting, the making of glms and in special rnethrwls of metal working. The translators of this work point out that while Thenphilus' treatise has been well known to art historians because of the detailed discussion of paint making, they have also emphasized in detail the instruments and techniques used for glass making and metal working. The translators have reconstructed many of the instruments and sppaxatus described by Theophilus and have illustrated these and their method of operations by drawings. Detailed bibliographic31 information on the various texts and translaiions of Theophilus' treatise are presented and a number of tine illustr:ations in addition to thc d r s w i n ~of the reconstructed instruments and apparatus
(Continued o n page A806)
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