book reviews
Chemistry: A Study of Matter
Editor: W. F. KIEFFER College of Wooster Wooster, Ohio
Introductionto Chemistry
Joseph C. Muhler, Indiana University, Charles S. Rohrer, East Texas State University, and Ernest E. Campaigne. Indiana University. Xerox College Publishing, Lexington, Mass., 1972. aiv 533 pp. F i q . and tables. 23 X 15 cm. $8.50,
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The authors' purpose in miting this book, is to "present as clearly and simply as possible the essentials of general, inorganic, organic, and biochemistry that are required as background for biologically oriented curricula in agriculture, nursing, home economics, dental hygiene and other related study. The book was designed with enough flexibility to permit use in a one or two semester terminal survey course in chemistry." Since the authors teach in various settings (a dental-medical school complex, a regional general purpose university and a major state university), each author has expanded certain subject matter to meet his needs and desires. "None of the authors attempt to teach all topics in depth in a particular setting. The book is designed to allow each instructor to select his topics for a variety of patterns pertinent to his objectives." The student who uses this text is piesumed to have had no previous knowledge of chemistry, and little knowledge of mathematics. Problems are explained in a step-by-step procedure and important relationships are stated both in the text and in the tables. Each chapter contains an extensive set of study questions. These become increasingly difficult and subjective so that the students are led to formulating more complex concepts. This paperback book contains 32 chapters, a total text of 520 pages with an index of 13 pages. At the beginning of each chapter a section is included on New Terms and Concepts, vhich cites key words and ljhrases used in the chapter.
Briefly, the chapter coverage in general and inorganic chemistry is as follows: Matter and Its Structure; Bonding; Second Row Elements and Multiple Bonds: Oxygen and the Atmosphere; Hydrogen and Oxidation-Reduction; Gases; Liquids and Solutions; Electrolytes; Nonmetals; and Metals. All descriptive chemistry in these chapters is presented in relation to the application of their biological significance. Chapter 11 an The Metals, specifically describes the metallic elements in terms of their chemistry in living matter, in relation to health and nutrition. Chapter 12 introduces radiochemistry in terms of its medical application. The chapter coverage far organic chemistry is as follows: Nomenclature; Hydrocarbons: Halogenated Hydrocarbons; Oxygenated Hydrocarbons; Hydroxy Acids, Stereochemistry and Optical Isomers; Carbohydrates; Lipids; Organic Nitrogen Compounds, and Heterocyclics. The chapter coverage for Biochemistry and Physiological Chemistry is from a traditional paramedical approach as follows: Vitamins; Hormones; Colloidal State; Protoplasm and Cell Constituents; Proteins and Nucleic Acids; Blood, Milk, Saliva and Lymph; Enzymes and Digestion; Respiration; Metabolism; and Excretion. The authors state that their objectives in writing this text were: "to provide an introduction to the various fields of modem chemistry and its relation to our soeiety through current concepts and theories." They have succeeded in doing this. However, since the subject matter is so extensive, it would be difficult for students to achieve mastery of the subject matter in a one semester course. The positive advantage of the breadth of the subject matter is such that any instructor will be able to find a stimulatine...ootoourri to pre-enl l o his students. This text l z rernmmrndrd for U i Q in o one year rhemlstry
Joseph C. Muhler, Charles S. Rohrer, andErnest E. Compnigne, Introduction to Chemistry Alfred B. Garrett, W T Lippineott, and Frank Henry Verhoek, Chemistry: A Study of Matter Richard D. Sacks and Harry B. Mark, J r , Simplified Circuit Analvsis: Dieital-Analoe Loeic Leo ~ l n d e l k e r n An , l n t r o ~ u c ~ to o nMacromolecules Edward C. Kendall, Cortisone S. P. McGlynn, L. G. Vanquiekenborne, M. ~ i d s h i t a andD. , G. Carroll, Introduction to Applied Quantum Chemistry Albert F. Cotton and Geoffrey Wilkinson. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry: A comprehensive Text Iruing M. Klatz and Robert M. Rosenberg, Chemical Thermodynamics New Volumes in Continuing Series
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Lois A. Cook Wright State University Dayton, Ohio 45431
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Alfred B. Garrett, W. T. Lippincott, and Frank Henry Verhoek, The-Ohio State University. 2nd Ed. Xerox College Publishing, Lexington, Massachusetts. xiv 674 pp. + xxx Index. Figs. and tables. 26 X 20.7 cm. $12.00.
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The review of the first edition of this college general chemistry text (J. CHEM. EDUC., 46, 538. 1969) noted the "skillful blending of modem theoretical information with historical insights, sufficient attention to the related descriptive chemistry-straightforward and clear style-the most important of the old, and a well-diversified cross-section of the new." The second edition maintains the same high level of quality of the earlier work, corrects some of the few but inevitable minor errors which creep into any teat and rearranges the format and style rather considerably. In fact it is a strikingly more attractive volume, with its black jacket and bold white lettering. The halftones which replace the former black and white line drawings also make a real contribution to the improved appearance of the new volume. There are 4 fewer chapters, but because of consolidation of materials and rearrangement, the overall size is about the same. Except for rearrangement and minor revisions, many chapters of the text are almost identical with the previous edition. One notable addition is made at the end of each chapter with a 2-3 page essay designed to show the student "how the knowledge presented in the chapter becomes important in the life of the individual or society." A number of these essays contain interesting and current factual information relating the chapter topic to some of the pressing contemporary questions such as the energy crisis, human health and disease, environmental pollution, ete. As an example, following the chapter on The Alkali and Alkaline Earth Elements there is an excellent discussion of the vital biochemical role these ions play in the human body and how they relate to human health. Titles of other essarys are: Odor and Molecular Geometry, Respiration, Modern Ceramics, and Reinforced Buffering in Blood. A change which will be welcomed by many previous users of the volume is the increased number and variety of the Questions and Problems at the ends of the chapters as well as the addition of a set of higher level Special Problems. A new appendix, Some Rules of Chemical Nomenclature, has been added. As in the previous edition, each chapter closes with a Summary, a list of Important Terms and References. Revision of the latter bring into this volume some of the most recent and best of the related articles from the literature, such as Scientific American, J. CHEM. EDUC., etc. Those who particularly liked the first edition of this text will find the second a far more attractive volume and better tuned to the current trend of relating science to the everyday world. Some will he disappointed that the two editions are so closely parallel. On the other hand, if (Continued onpogeA346) Volume 50. Number 6, June 7973
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