RECENT BOOKS CKEXISTRY TR~UKPFIANT. WiUiom I. Hale, Ph.D., Director [GUIDESTO S o w FILMS.] 1. OXIDATIONnm REDUCTION. Organic Chemical Research, The Dow Chemical Company. 2. M O L E C U LTREoRY ~ OF MATTER. Hernonn 1.ScItlesinger The Williams & Wilkins Co. in co6peration with The Century and Harvey B. Lcmon, University of Chicago. University of 28 pp. each. 8 and 7 of Progress Exposition, Baltimore, Maryland. 1932. x Chicago Press. Chicago. 1933. iv 151 pp. 12.5 X 18.5 cm. $1.00. Figs., respectively. 14 X 20 cm. 35 cents each.
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The sound iilms "Oxidation and Reduction" and "Molecular Theory of Matter," each one full reel in length, available on non-inflammable stock in bath 16-mm. and 35-mm. widths, have been produced by Erpi Picture Consultants, Inc., for the University of Chicago, under the supervision of Professors Hermann I. Schlesinger and Harvey B. Lemon. They are the first two of "twenty such productions which are being prepared from material included in the freshman and sophomore courses in the Physical Sciences offered by the University of Chicago." I n order t o give a fair criticism on the guides which accompany these films, the reviewer obtained the iilms and viewed them before reading the guides. A dose study of the guides followed with subsequent showings of the iilms. The guides, in each case, present the following topics: (1) objectives; (2) introductory explanation of the subject matter of iilm; (3) subject outline of film with specific page references to several chemistry texts and other chemical literature; (4) the initial use of the film; (5) subsequent showings of the &n; (6) content of the film; (7) general references. A study of items 1.2, and 3 should precede the initial showing of the film after which further study is centered on the item, "content of the film," which gives completely the lecture of the sound iilm with actual demonstration material inserted in italics. About forty footnotes raise questions about the experiments or explain more fully details on which there is not time t o dwell in the picture. One criticism the reviewer would offer is the omission of some very generally used texts among the lists of books to which reference is made. Distinct and dear enunciation in speaking parts and sharp detail in pictures characterizes both films. OXmATION AND REDUCTION
Oxidation and reduction are presented in this film as a preS i study and not from the electronic or valence standpoint. The iilm is both instructive and spectacular, with some demonstrations not common to the ordinary textbook. This picture is excellently fitted far showing t o high-school chemistry classes and presents subject matter which can be understood by a pupil with reasonable application. To the college freshman who is often restive a t repeating his high-school work, i t seems t o the reviewer that the showing of this iilm with study of the accompanying guide will furnish a thorough review if he has viewed it before and a clear and interesting review if he has never seen the iilm before. MOLECULARTHEORYOPMATTER This iilm presents in very excellent fashion the subject matter To be thorouehlv in ~-the - limited time reauired bv one reel. .. understoad by the studrrrt it will requirc s t least two suhseequrnt showings and much real study of the suuplementary material prrrrntc.d in the footnutrs of the guide and additional textbook references. It is more truly on the level of college students than the iilm "Oxidation and Reduction." but should not be considered beyond the understanding of the average high-school pupil. Some of the mechanical manipulations used in the picture require a knowledge of physics or definite explanation by the instructor after the first showing. There is opportunity for some explanation by the instructor during the showing of the picture. Animated drawings are very good. The film can well be shown a t three or four different points in the first semester's work to illustrate the relation of the molecular theory to various phases of chemistry. M. V. MCGILL ~~
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This book is one of a series issued under the auspices of the Advisory Committee of the National Research Council formed t o assist the trustees of the Century of Progress International Exposition in bringing t o the people a t large information regarding the meaning of the advance illustrated objectively in the exposition. The little book covers an immense amount of ground. The treatment is to emphasize the relation of chemistry t o the progress of the human race. The first chapter starts with an outline of the high points of human achievement, beginning with the discovery of written language, the development of independent thinking in Greece, the emphasis on law and order by the Romans, and the coming of experimentation as a contribution by the Arabs. This is followed by a paragraph on the Saxon a~cendency,emphasizing the breaking away from dogmatic religion. starting with the revival of learning and the Reformation-the two being rather confused by the authorand the term Renaissance being applied to a date very much later than 1530, which is usually considered the end of that period. By the time page six is reached the English ascendency is emphasized with the development of the steam engine, the locomotive, steamboat, and the spinning machine. This period is referred t o as the "Dawn-Industrial Era." Then comes a reference to the German ascendency and a statement that the dye industry is the mast fundamental the world can ever have. "As a result of the World War chemical study came t o the fore--a Chemico-Genesis of the world itself. It is the heritage which Germany gave an advancing civilization-the valorization of chemistry." The chapter ends with emphasis on the future that is t o he a biological development using an exact knowledge and control of bacteria and enzymes. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 are headed "Nature Reveals Herself," "Chemical Insight Dawns," and "Industrialization Broadens." These three chapters occupy forty-two pages and they are essentially incomprehensible t o anybody who has not a fairly good knowledge of organic and general chemistry. I n fact the reader is advised in a footnote that, if he is unfamiliar with modern chemical terminology, h e may Iind i t desirable t o postpone Chapters 2 and 3 t o a second reading. The reviewer believes also that Chapter 4 is beyond the comprehension of any one who is not familiar with chemistry, a t I-t t o the extent of a good high-school course. However, the amount of material packed into these chapters is quite extraordinary, and they would he most valuable as reading for students t o give them some idea of the versatility of chemical industry. Also if they followed up the verv brief references to anv number of ~raducts,esoeciallv of the o&nic chemical industl; they would Cave a very ekellent guide t o lead them to reading matter outside the range of the theoretical textbook. Chapter 5 deals with "The Chemical Revolution." I t is fairly easy reading, and has for its purpose t o make clear how greatly chemical industry has modified other human efforts by substituting artificial for natural productsindigo, alizarin. rayon, nitrates, and so on. Chapter 6 deals with mining, and emphasizes the passibility of a much better control of the resources of the earth's crust than has heen realized so far. Steel is t o become obsolete but only after i t has been made cheaper by a more rational handling of the ore. Aluminum is to became a metal so cheap that it can be used wherever its qualities make it useful. And there is a curious statement-"The storage and distribution of water will ever constitute the greatest of mining enterprises." Apparently the idea is that water will be pumped all over the world from the natural reservoirs, lakes, and, possibly for certain purposes, the ocean.
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