encing and a longer index would also have helped. (An aside: The index for this text is 11pages -about average, but still too short. One function of a text for an advanced course is as a reference book for future use. This function is greatly enhanced by the inclusion of a complete index, and of references for further reading.) The style of the text is distinctly less formal than the typical text for a chemistry courseat any level. What comes across is the authors' enthusiasm (and wonder) for the incredible variety that falls under the umbrella commonly termed "Inorganic Chemistry." This style endears them to this reviewer, who tends to dislike a dry, formal style of presentation, and who leans toward a "folksy" style of presentation himself, eomnlete with lots of analoeies and oersonal anecdurea. Others may not like this style. but none could deny rhar it rs an altemarivr to rhe style used in most of the texts currently available. The format of the teat is cleanand attractive. Some would probably wish to see more tables of data, either within the chapters or as appendices. Some would prohahly wish to see more illustrations, figures, and diagrams. The number, variety, and appropriateness of the chapter-end questions is very good-better than most of the texts now available. As with all first printings, there are typographical errors present, hut mostly of the innocuous sort, not leading to major confusion on the part of the reader. A Solutions Manual is available that gives solutions to some of the problems in the text. On balance, the text is certainly worth consideration for a juniorlsenior level course in inorganic chemistry. It is distinctly different from the currently availahle offerings for that course. Some instructors will take this approach very well; others prohably will find it too different from one of the "traditional" aooroaches to feel comfortable adopting ii'for class use. Some would bemoan the lack of a fuller discussion of valence-bond theory and isovalent hyhridization, or acid-base theories and reactions, or electrode potentials, or oxoacids, or electronegativity, or mineral sources of the elements, or some other topic. Some might prefer the descriptive material being arranged by periodic group rather than by compound type. So be it; better (in this reviewer's opinion) to have a truly wide variety of choices available tosuit many tastes than to fall into the situation currently prevailing in other areas (especially in general chemistry), where quantity of texts doesn't necessarily translate into true variety of choices. Alan J. Pribula Towson State University Baltimore. MD 21204 ~
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this revision of the 1980 edition: changes in the editor, publisher, format, a 20%increase in pages, and a 50% increase in chemicals covered. The book is well organized for quick reference. First aid for cases of inhalation is treated in 20 yellow pages; for chemicals ingested, 25 green pages; for skin contact the 23 pages are pink; and chemicals in the eye require 20 pages in blue. The text is "easy reading" with short sentences in outline farm presenting the procedures for treatment. The preface points out that sudden exposure to toxic substances requires prompt, effective action hy the first responders. It is assumed that they will be proficient in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and he generally familiar with the procedures covered in the text. The book was originally compiled in French for Solvay and Cie, a company with a well-developed safety program. Workers in smaller companies or in colleges with less formal training in safety practices also will find the hook useful in a crisis. First aid, of course, is just that. I t is intended as s holding action until qualified medical personnel can take over. The first responders must never lightly conclude that their remedial measures have fully met the need of the victim. A physician must decide whether further treatment is required. The bookdeals onlv with acute exoosures. The advice offered ir not appropriate lor chronic, low-level exposures, and the risk of carcinogenesis is not addressed. Malcolm M. Renfrew University of Idaho ID 83843 MOSCOW,
First Aid Manual for Chemical Accidents, S e c o n d Edition Marc J. Lefevre, compiler; Shirley A. Conk bear, reviser of second Englisblanguage edition. Van Nostrand Reinhold: New York. 261 pp. 15.3 X 23 cm. NY, 1989. vi
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$26.95.
There have been substantial changes in A300
Journal of Chemical Education
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For t h e Love of Enzymes: T h e Odyssey of a Biochemlst Arthur Kornberg. Haward University Press: Cambridge, MA, 1989. xi 336 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.2 X 24.2 cm. $29.95.
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This autobiography of a great scientist includes a description of the reasoning and procedures used in doing biochemical research. Arthur Kornberg has been involved with the characterization of some 30 enzymes. Most notable in that group is DNA polymerase and its use in producing a synthetic viral DNA for which be was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1959. His career exemplifies a single-minded devotion to enzymology. In his works "nothing in nature is so tangible and vital to our lives as enzymes, and vet so poorly understwd and appreriated by all but a few scientists." His success can beattrihuted toadisciplined workethic that is focused on the proper planning and earrvine , .. out of exoeriments. In addition. he accepted the importance irf purification and fdlowed the admonitron of Efrainl Ibcher: "Don't waste clean thmking on dirry enny. mes." Kornberg demonstrated that DNA is synthesized by enzymes in the cell as are other hiopolymers. Prior to that it bad been prooosed that DNA soontaneouslv forms when the building bloc& align themselves along the parental chains. In addition, he trained scientists and interacted with colleagues who discovered the restriction enzymes and DNA ligase that make possible modern genetic engineering.
The author is keenly aware of fashions in science since he himself turned from nutritional studies to biochemistry early in his career. He points out that there is a current mood that disparages the importance of enzymes, but he argues that an understanding of growth, development, and disease in living organisms will depend on a detailed knowledge of biological catalysts. For example, DNA is the blueprint for the cell and research un this molecule is now the glamor field, but enzymes give l f e to biologieol processes. In addition. there is an effort to add the words molecular hiology to the title of courses and departments. A molecular hiologist pursues a structure in order to find its function whereas a biochemist pursues a function to discover the structure responsible for it. The latter entails hreaking open the cell and devising suitable assays for its constituents. The biochemist focuses on chemistry. However, as Kornherg points out, the distinction between these areas has become blurred because much of molecular biology as it is currently practiced is, in fact, biochemistry. Kornberg discusses the important issue of the public's understanding of science. He emphasizes that basic research is carried out for its own sake, and that we cannot anticipate the applications of this new knowledge. Furthermore, chemistry contributes to the betterment of our society yet chemicals are often viewed by the public as bad. Both of these issues should receive more attention by the scientific community. In addition, the author extols the outstanding success of the National Institutes o f Health grants program in making awards to individuals by peer review. In this book We history of biochemistry becomes a lively interplay involving both ideas and personalities. I t informs the reader who wishes to understand the process of scientific discovery. The text is clearly written and has excellent illustrations. I t is my feeling that the chronology would he more prominent if placed at the beginning of the book. It, along with the annotated bihliography and glossary, are useful additions. Salvatore F. Russo Western Washington Unlverslty Eellingham, WA 98225
