of research orientation, a3 is abnndantly clear from Chapter 8, the last chapt,er,'On Identifying the Type of Reaction. The positive ideal is maintained wherever possible. Thus the arbitrary limits of insolrtbility versus solubility are given, bnl lhcy are based on snggcstiona in cited published mnlerinl. This papcrbnck has B periodic table of tho elemenls on ils otltaide hack cover. Rtruciwal diagrams are not stingy and are generally well conceived. The index is good. I t is prohlematic as to where t,o insert, this book in an established e~trliculrrm. In a small college it ma" find its place, a t the earliest, eoncwrently in the second semester for gifted stndents only. I t may make s good basis in ihe upper level seminar course for nlmosl; every chemistry and pre-medicnl ~mdwgmdoate. I t would be oxeellent for pt.ivnte study anywhere in ihc r.t~t.rir~d\lm and even for reference.
Interpretation of Technical Data
J. W . Richards, C.Eng., M . I . Chem. E. I). Van Noslrand Co., Ine., Princeton, New Jewey, 1968. 195 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 21.5 cm. $7. As stated in its W e , this book was writt,en primarily to inform concerning
techniques for the determination of "laws'. or equations which best represent the relationships among experiment.al data. This limited objective is achieved as t,he anthor proceeds from discussions of fundamentals and/or errors to discussions of different algebraic and trigonometric eqnations to a. short discussion oi the leastsquares method of dat,a fitting, terminating with a valuable chapter on the "hazards of self deeept,ion." The book is filled with pl.actical examples. These examples are d l engineering oriented but are easily understood by those in other disciplines. I t is not a n exhaustive treatise nor is it meant to be. The discussion of errors and error theory is quite superficial. The fitting of experimental data by mathematical eqlradions using the method of leasthquares is very brief but probably will meet the needs of the majority of potential readers. Particrrlarly interesting a1.e the discussions of the pitfalls which often entrap the unwary experimentalist and of correlation theory. The treatment of dimensiarral analysis as a method for dincovering the correct form of an eqmtion is excellerit. The advantage ni the w e nf linear plots is stressed thlm~ghout and many ingenioi~sways to obtain s w h plots are presented. Figures and tables are well prepared and easily read. Appendix 1 contnins a listing of i~sefulleast,qnares normal ea~w.tions. The eneineerine hias is evident in the li.;lings of dimensioned quantities in Appendix 2 and dimensionless groups in Appendix 3
Fred the size of the type been a, little larger, the averall impreriou given by this hook wmdd have been improved. This is not a text in error theor" and the fitting af erpe~.imentsldata, h,lt i t is an excellent self-help aid for sitldents and an invalnshle sollree af practical assistance for the p ~ w t i r i n gexpevime~llnlistin any field.
Pyrotechnics
George W . Weingal.1. 2nd ed.
Chemiral Publishing Company, Inc., New Ymk, 1067. xii 244 pp. Figs. and tables. 14..5 X 21.5 em. 88.50.
+
If yon must know how lo make snakes, rockets, or Chinese firecrackers, this book will tell yon. The approach is strictly, empirical-a. "how-to" book-no "why." The recipicq are full of saltpeter. The second edition is an only slightly modified firs1 edition (1947). Safety is mentioned, but not properly emphasized. If this book is in a school library, somehow, control over its circulation should be establiihed! The author considers pyrotechnics to be a craft, not a n art. True, but lie shodd add "not for beginners." I t seems anacronistic to call a book both interesting and dangerans, but it is.
Volume 45, Number 8 , August
1968 / A621
