reviews The book is thoroughly up-to-date and reflects the directions of the latest research. Many of the products have only recently been described in the literature. Special safety precautions are noted, and, whenever possible, hazardous substances have been suhstituted by less toxic ones. Produds are characterized by modem spectroscopic techniques, and analyses, exercises, questions, references, and notes are provided. Two experiments, which do not involve chemicals-"Simulation of Atomic and Molecular Orbitals" (6 pp) and "Symmetries of Inorganic Molecules and Applications of Group Theory and Graph Theory" (24 pp, the longest experiment)--also are ineluded. Instructors of inorganic chemistry courses a t all levels will want to consider this excellent book either a s a laboratory manual or a s a supplement to Inorganic Syntheses or other sources of preparations. George 8. Kauffman California State University, Fresno Fresno, CA93740
Titles of Interest S p r e a d s h e e t s for Chemists Gordon Filby VCH: New York. NY, 1995. vii t 408 pp. Figs. and tables. 17.7 x 24.6 cm. $60.00. This practical guide addresses the needs of chemists at all levels. I t highlights the possibilities provided by Lotus 1-2-3, the most widely used spreadsheet program in the sciences. It features the following: detailed discussion of the most relevant functions and all the macro commands; an accompanying disk containing 57 worksheets involving many different fields of chemical research and teaching; an extensive glossary of spreadsheet terms; and three appendices covering 1-2-3's competitors and add-in packages, the use of Windows-based spreadsheets and haw what-if analysis and back-salving is applied. Although the disk examples were developed for Lotus 1-2-3 DOS Versions 2 2 (x = 2-41, the worksheets are compatible with the newer Windows versions and those of their main competitors, Barland's Quattro Pro and MicrosotYs Excel. Global Environmental Change: Interactions of Science, Policy, a n d Politics in t h e United States Robert G.. Fieagle. Praeger: Westport. CT, 1994. xiv + 243 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.9 x 24.3 cm $59.95. This volume reviews the facts and the uncertainties relating to some of the major environmental issues facing us today: greenhouse warming, loss of stratospheric ozone, and acid precipitationand shows how these facts and uncertainties are dealt with by both governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Organic Syntheses. Collective Volumes 1-8, Cumulative Indices Jeremiah F! Freeman, Editor. Wiley: New York, NY, 1995. uiii t 620 pp. 16.2 x 23.7 cm. $75.00.
How To Do Your S t u d e n t Project in Chemlstry F: H. Jardine. Chapman and Hall: New York, NY, 1994. viii + 108 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.7 x 23.3 cm.
Thw book 19 for undergraduate rhcml~tlystudpntq who are ahout to begm thew projecr work Although it rs m t t e n fur undermaduata and diploma students in the UK,Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, it contains much useful information for the US. scene where undergraduate research is the norm in many institutions. The baak covers all aspects of project work, from choosing a suitable topic and supervisor to communicating research results efficiently There is advice on the best ways to use libraries and on how to gather relevant references. Students are taught how to work safely and effectively, and how to present their results in report, seminar, or conference poster form. Additionally, the author offers A126
Journal of Chemical Education
guidance on engaging a typist, on how to prepare artwork and visual aids, and tips on perfecting communication skills.
Inorganic Chemistry of Main Group Elements R. Bruce King. VCH: New York, NY, 1995. xx + 326 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.2 x 24.1 cm. $75.00. This book provides a concise summary of the most important aspects of the descriptive inorganic chemistry of the main p u p elements, namely all of the elements except far the d-block transition metals. Organized by element, making it easy to assimilate the important aspects of the chemistry of a particular element, many structural diagrams and chemical equations are given to illustrate important structures and chemical reactions, making this book a logical first source for general information. Generally, chapters include the fallowing: a summary of the typical coordination numbers, oxidation states, bonding types, etc., found in the elements covered; important properties of the free elements including a discussion of allotropic farms; discussions of halides, oxides, oxyacids, organometallic derivatives, and other compound types. Literature references to key review articles and seminal articles in the field are included.
