of the technique involved, applications of the techniquc, and literature surveys of limited mope. Most of these questions, particulsrly those in the latter group, refer to specific papers in the literature for which references are given. I n some cases the questions involved the comparifion or correlation of work appearing in different papers. As far as the description of instruments is concerned, the author hns very wisely restricted himself to the use of simple optical and electrical diagrams, and of block diagrams for electronic circuits. The use of elaborate circuit disgrrtms and of photographs has heen, in tho reviewer's opinion, very properly eschewed. The balance between theory, practire, and applicability is, on the wholc, a very proper one. I t is possible to go through t,he book, and to select individual specific items and to argue that the author might have done something else other than that which he did do. However, this would he rather silly since the book, as a whole, is excellent. Actually, the reviewer ransiders this hook to he by far the most satisfactory book in the area of textbooks for "instrument,al snslysis" which has yet been published. The hook ran he heartily recommended to tearhers looking for a satisfactory advanced undergraduate and p d o a t e student t,ext as well an to chemists who would like a review or r~fresher survey in rertain techniques of analytical importance. PHILIP J . E L V l N G U ~ - I Y E R ~ I OF T T MICHLOAN
A N N ARBOR.M ~ C Z < ~ C A B
INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Louis F. Fieser, Sheldon Emery Professor of Organic Chemistry, and Mory Fieser, Research Fellow in Chemi4ry. Harvard University. D. C. Heath and Co., Boston, 1957. 614 pp. 18 X 24 cm. $7. THIS new Fieser and Fieser textbook of organic chemistry replaces the hooks previously entitled "Orgnnic Chemistry, Abridged Edition" (1014) and "Textbook of Organic Chemistry" (1950). I t is more than a mere revision of the earlier books. New in name and attractively modern in format, thc text diRers from the earlier ones not only in these twofentwer hut also in scope and in organization. More basic theory is included, and new theoretical concepts are introduced st the places where the concepts are first applicable. A n interesting and entirely new addition is the part dealing with t,he application of reactions and principles to resesreh. T h e book is divided into two sections. The twenty-eight chapters of P a r t I take up systematieslly, in four hundred and ninety-eight pages, the essential principles of organic chemistry; and, as stated by tho authors in the preface, "includes about all the facts and t h o aries a stndcnt can be expected to assim-
(Cmtinued on page A60S) JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
ilate in a one-year course." The chapters follow each other in a loeieal manner.
many and include marginal captions as well as side and oenter headings, chapter summaries, well chosen problems a t ends of chapters, visual aids by wily of d i e grams and photographs, and interesting references far additional information and interest of the student. Applioations to Research, Part 11, contains twenty-four sections, each of which is to he considered after the study of an indicated chapter in Part I. The stated purpose of this part of the text is "to illustrate some of the ways in which reactions and principles of organic chemistry have been employed in specific research projects." It is stated that the researches were selected on the basis of interest and appropriateness as illustrative examples, and not for their estimated relative importance. The selections cover some work of recent date and some work of historical interest. They represent a variety of fields beginning with a consideration of cosmene (after Chapter 7, Alcohols) and ending with synthetic diaarene (sfter Chapter 28, Polynuclear Hydrocarbons). One prohlem in this section should provide fun in work for the student. The experimentally determined facts leading t o the elucidation of the structure of chloramphenirol are given, and the student is asked to interpret the results, step by step. He may check himself by the analysis of data given in the section, Answers t o Problems, in the back of the book. Whether the material in this section is used in lecture, class discussion, or as assigned reading, a. consideration of the material by the student should give him a good idea of how problems originate, how they are solved, and some notion of the extensive amount of experimentation many times necessary in solving them. The location of literature references in this part is left to the student. With all of the above fine features, the text like other Fieser and Fieser books is readahle and interesting. Designed as it is with the needs of modern students in mind, this textbook should make the study of organic chemistry more interesting and mare effective from the point of view of both faculty and student. NAN. V. TEORNTON Rmoo~nn-MmoriWonr~x'aC o ~ m a ~ Lracnncne. v,norn,*
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
