Aus Justus Liebigr und Friedrich WShlers Briefwechrel in den Jahren 1829-1873. Auf Grund der von A. W. Hofmann berorglen zweibb'ndige Ausgabe
BOOK REVIEWS General Chemistry: Approach
A Systematic
Hawy H . Sisler, University of Florida, Calvin A. VonderWerf and Arthur W . Davidson, both of the University of Kansas. 2nd ed. The Macmillan Com851 pp. pany, New York, 1959. x Figs. and tahles. 16 X 24 om. 57.95.
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This second edition of the 1949 version offers a fund of information that, if covered completely, would be sufficient for a three-semester general chemistry course. I n this regard, the text provides a wide range of individual subject matter selection. I n general appearance, chapter order, and suhject matter, the revised edition is very similar to the first. Most of the chapters have been rewrie ten somewhat, particularly in providing up-to-date data. Several chapters, notably the one on Solutions of Electrolytes, have been rather completely redone. Arrhenius has been relegated to a brief historical comment with the major portion developed by means of the BdnstedLowry concept. I t does, however, seem somewhat inconsistent to utilize the H + ion in the discussion of the common ion effect and the pH scale after writing about the H,Of ion, even though H + is designated "an abbreviated farm." A completely new portion has heen added to one of the chapters an Atomic Structure involving the nuclear reactor,
Gekurzt van Rob& Schwom. Verlag Chemie, Weinheim/Bergstrasse, Germany, 1958. 406 pp. Two portraits. 15 X 21 cm. 24.50 German m s r b (approximately $6).
Liehig (1803-1873) and Wohler (18001882) were close friends far more than nuclear fusion, and the peacetime uses forty years. Their first contact came of atomic energy. through scientific eantroversieq hut when In the chapter pertaining to carbon and they met face to face they took to each silicon, the explanation of resonance has other a t once. They began to correspond; it,= place in the hody of the text rather the initial "Herr Professor" and "Herr than in a footnote. The chapters involvDoktor" were soon replaced hy the inforing organic chemistry have been reworded, mal "Du." More than 1500 letters revised, and rewritten in view of more passed between them from 1829 until modern developments. Liehig's death in 1873; the last items are In the section introducing metals, some dated within two weeks of this event. of the repetitious material has been deleted Neither man knew that the other had careand four pages of a "Glossary of Metals" fully preserved his Iet,ters. have been added. These tables contain When Liehig's will was read, i t was such useful information on metals as the found that he had left the Wohler letters physical properties, U. S. consumption, to his grandson, an ardent collector of autoaverage costs per pound, and uses. graphs. During his last year, when Throughout the text new diagrams have WBhler was leading what he called a been used, and some older ones deleted; "cloistered" life, he requested that his there is an increase in the number of quesletters t o Liehig he sent to him for perusd. tions and problems following various chapHe read them along with his own collecters, which provides greater variety for tion of the corresponding letters from study material. Some portions were Liebig, and marked what he thought might rewritten in the interest bf clarity and he of some importance to the history of simplicity of explanation. Tables giving chemistry and worthy of puhlicat,ion. ionization Dotentids have been rounded off These notations were followed by A. W. Hafmrtnn, who with the assistance of WBhIer's daughter went through the entire been minimized. correspondence and prepared the twoThe text offers a pleasant balance bevolume work which appeared in 1888. tween theoretical and descriptive material, This was widely read for many years, but and is a few pages shorter than the first eventually i t became a fairly rare item. edition. I t should be a n even more UsThe present editor, fully appreciative of able hook for general chemistry classes. the unique merit* of this correspondence, DONALD B. SUMMERS realized that much of i t had outlived its Glasqboro State College usefulness, and acoordingly deleted that Glassboro, New Jersey portion from the text. The result, is the present one-volume edition. AU sorts of matters uwre included in these letters, including family affairs, travel plans for joint vacations, comments on various personalities, and other personal communications. The reader will find here also, however, insights into the genesis of some of the great chemical feats of these eminent chemists. He uill get an idea of the tremendous burden of work which they voluntarily assumed as laboratory men, teachers, and miters. Regularly they expressed their disgust with all things chemical and noted their periodic attacks of "semester fatigue," the inevitable result of long hours in poorly ventilated labarstories and a t writ,ing desks, where they toiled without benefit of secretaries or typewriters. The divergent personalties of the two men are plainly seen in the letten. Liebig, fiery, impetuous, and ruthless in his treatment of those who did not agree with him, was often admonished by the calm, even-tempered WBhler, who though only three years the senior talked more like a much older brother. Thia disparity in character may well have been the basis of this unusual friendship in which two men, though working in the same science and often on the same topics, never showed Volume 37, Number 5, May 1960
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