Thermoelectricity
Edited by Paul H. Egli, U. S . Navel Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. John Wiley & Sons, Ine., New 407 pp. Figs. and York, 1960. x tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $10.
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BOOK REVIEWS Genertll Organic Chemistry
William C . Stickler, University of Denver, Colorado. Longmans, Green & Co., Inc., New York, 1960. x 630 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23 cm. $7.
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In the words of the author, this text is "designed to give a general introduction to the field of organic chemistry." The book is planned for use in a full year course for premedical and other preprofessional students, and for chemistry majors; but, its organization is such that it also lends itself to adaptation for use in the concentrated one semester course. The selection of topics for the discussions and the organization of the subject material reflect well the author's view expressed in the preface that "undergreduate texts must be brought into line with the newer concepts in theory and practice" and also indicate hihis understanding and appreciation of the difficulties usually experienced by the average student at the beginning of his study of organic chemist+. Part I presents a gradual introduction of theoretical interpretations. The order i~ conventiond, starting with hydrocarbons. In this section and throughout the text, the chemistry of aliphatic and aromatic eompounds is treated concurrently rather than separately in two divisions. The fairly extensive treatment of stereoisomerism in Chapter 10 is fully justified by the over-all importance of this topic in organic chemistry today. To aid the student in his study, a list of new concepts, terms, symbols, and reactions introduced in the chapter, is found at the end of each
This book consists of 23 papers on various aspects of thermoelectric phenomena. Many of these papers were given at the Conference on Thermoelectricity sponsored by the Naval Research Laborachapter in this part, while in Parts I1 and tory in Washington, D. C., September, 111 this enumeration is replaced by a. list 1958. The preface by Egli is dated July, of well seleoted references. Study ques1960, and the papers are of such a, basic tions follow all chapters in the book. nature that they are still of current inThese questions are so formulated as to terest. recall facts and to promote thinking. The translation of A. F. Joffe's hooks Part 11, by far the most extensive secon thermoelectricity in 1957 has had an tion of the book (312 pages), is divided extraordinary catalytic effect on Amerioan into ten chapters. Here discussions are publicrutions in the field. A number of based on modem theoretical interpretareview articles on thermoelectric properties tions with emphasis on reaction meof semiconductors and several books dechanisms, and the student is called upon voted exclusively to thermoelectricity to use many of the concepts met first in have already appeared. earlier chapters. The physieo-chemical In many respects the book under reaspects of compounds, their preparation view is the best of the lot. In common and reactions are presented. The organowith the Kaye and Welsh book (Direct metallic eompounds are discwed in Conversion of Heat to Electricity, Wiley, Chapter 18 where the magnesium, sodium, 1960), this is an edited compilation of oonlithium, and arsenic derivatives are ference papers by recognieed authorities covered. While the rr-bonded organ* in the field with the resulting variations in metallic compounds are not included in writing. In spite of the variation of inthis chapter, the preparation and properdividual style and interest, the field is ties of ferrocene m e taken upin the chapter very well covered and the editor has done on heterocyclics. a good joh of organization. The 6nal three chapters in Part I11 The book is divided into four sections: introduce "several classes of naturally Fundamental Concepts in Thermoelecoccurring substrtnces which play indistricity, Basic Parameters in Thermoelecpensable roles in the chemistry of living tricity, Chemical and Physical Properties organisms." The topics covered are: of Materials at High Temperatures, and Amino Acids and Proteins, Carbohydrates, Measurement of Materials Properties. and Heterocyclic Compounds. There is a. conclusion section on Criteria for This carefully prepared upto-date exMaterials Development. Each section is position of the principles of organic prefaced with a unifying summary by the chemistry, written in a. clear, definite, and editor. Individual papers range from interesting style should fill the needs of reviews to original research. many college teachers for a satisfactory There are many things about this book text for a one year undergraduate course which appealed to the reviewer: (1) This in organic chemistry. NANV. THORNTON book has a. flsvor of fundamental research (as opposed to an engineering approach). Randolph-Ma- W m n ' s College (2) The emphasis in most of the contriLynchburg, Virginia butions han been on the sicnificanee of
Reviewed in This Issue
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William C. Stickler, General Organic Chemistry Paul H. Egli, Editor, Thermoelectricity A . A. Frost snd R. G. Pearson, Kinetics and Mechanism Wendell M . Stanley and Evans G. Valens, Viruses and the Nature of Life James W . P m y , Scientific Russian Engelbwl Broda, Radioactive Isotopes in Biochemistry G. Buwm~is,Molecular Distillation Joseph HilsamU, et al., Tables of Thermodynamic and Transport Properties of Air, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Stesm Cecil L. Wilson and David W . Wilson, Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry. Volume lB, Classical Analysis Stella Gwstray and J . Rae Sehwenek, A Textbook of Chemistry R. C. Vickery, Analytical Chemistry of the Rare Earths P. C. Stevenson and W . E. Nwvik, The Radiochemistry of the Rare Earths, Scandium, Yttrium and Actinium W . G. Wyekoff, Crystal Structures. Supplement 5
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particular experiment. Only in eontributions on the thermal conductivity of germanium and indium antimonide were detailed results of a particular experiment presented, and in the latter paper (by Bettman and Schneider) considerable attention was paid to fundamental problems in the measurement of thermal conductivity. (3) The discussions ere mostly nonmathematical and will have considerable appeal to ta beginner in the field. One doesn't get bogged down by discussions of transport equations or with calculations of generator efficiencies. This simplification of the content material i~ effective in making the phenomena of thermoelectricity more familiar and much more undomtctnditble. As a result of this treatment the book has considerable heuristic appeal. (4) The book is an excellent compendium of the diverse factors which influence thermoelectric parameters and the influence of these factors on thermoelectric parameters is clearly stated.
