BOOK REVIEWS The book is in essence a "how to" rather than a "why" book, and the Fiesem are quick to point out that the principles of usage are those set forth by such authorities as H. W. Fowler f "Modern Enelish TJsaee." Oxford Univer;ity Press, 1926, 1958);'~. W. Fowler and F. G. Fowler ("The ICing's English," Oxford, 1926, 1954), W. Strunk, Jr. and E. B. Whit,e ("The Elements of Style," Maemillm, 1959) and ot,hers. To these I would add Sir Earnest Gowers ("Plain Words, Their ABC," Alfred A. Knopf, 1957).
Appropriately, t h e book begins with
a discussion of concise writing, and proceeds then t o a treatment of a number
of grammatical points whieh give much trouble. Word choice is treated in a n important rhapter, and a short but pithy chapter dealing with style, t,he burden of whieh is that we can do nicely without style, is well n.orth the attention of us all. Two chapters not dealing directly with writing, one on pronunciation and one on speaking, are included. The first of these is likely to prove the most controversial part of the book, although tho authors quite clearly have no wish to provoke controversy. Our prejudices as t o pronunciation are formed early and cherished late, and no realist expects much change in those of us whose habits have been formed. The Fiesers recognize this, and hope their recommendations may be of guidance t o those whose prejudices have not yet solidified. The chapter on speaking is brief, hut
presents many practical points taken from the experience of one of the acknadedged master teachers of om time. Editors are perhctps more sensitive than most t o the faults the Fiesers' book is d~signcdto correct. Certainly a n editor's life would be easier, and =,hat is vastly more important, our chemical literature would he clearer, more concise, more effective and more intcresting if those who r r i t e , particularly those younger men just embarking a n productive scientific careers, would "read, ponder and inwardly digest" the Fiesers' fine little hook. MARSHALL GATES L'niversit~ qf Rochester Rochestw. Xew i.ork
Comparative Biochemistry. Volume 1, Sources of Free Energy
Edited by Marcel Flo~kin,~ n i v e r s i t yof LiBge, Belgium, and Howard S. Mason, University of Orogon Medical School, Portlmd, Oregon. Academic Press, Inc., New Yark, 1960. xxv 590 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23 cm. %la.
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This hook is Volume 1 of a four-volume "Comprehensive Treatise" on eomparrttive biochemistry, whieh is being edited by Florkin and Mason t o fill the need, as they say, for a "sound, critical and provocative s u m m a r of present knowledge in the field." Volume 2, "Free Energy and Biological Function" appeared some time ago; the present volume dealswith "Sources of Free Energy." Besides a guide to nomenclature and classification of organisms, and an Introduot,ion by the Editors, Volume 1 ineludes chapters on Thermodynamics of Living Systems by H. Eyring, R. P. Boyce and J. D. Spikes; Comparative Mechanisms for Fatty Acid Oxidation hy P. K. Stumpf and G. A. Barher; Phosphoric Acid Anhydrides and Other Enere-Rich Compounds hy F. X I . Huennekens and H. R. Whitele3-; Oninm Compounds and Their Biological Significance by G. L. Cantoni; Phototropism and Photaixis hy I
