RECENT BOOKS Hour TO SOLVE PROBLEMS IN QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS. I. A. Babor. Associate Professor of Chemistry, College of the City of New York, and J. W . MacAlpine, Assistant Professor of Chemistry. New York University. Revised edition. Thomas Y. Crowell Company. New York, 1943. iv+ 92 pp. 14 X 21 em. Paper covers, cloth hack. W.75. After a short introductory chapter explaining exponential arithmetic and logarithms, illustrative exercises and problems are given which pertain to the following topics: concentrations of solution. oxidation-reduction reactions (the ion-clecfron method is used for balancing the equations), dissociation of weak electrolytes, soluhility-product principle, the salt-effect, common-ion effect. the water equilibrium and hydrolysis, and finally complex ions. Answers are given for all problems. The data in many of the exercises are taken from published research work, t o which references are given. The explanations are written in simple language and the prohlems are relatively easy, the collection obviously having been designed for elementary students. While the dimensional method of handling units is mentioned (page 51). it is not used in the illustrations. Within the limitations set by the elementary level this problem hook has been carefully and competently compiled and can he recommended without reserve. L A ~ N CS. EFOSTER UNlV'&R8lN
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LABORATORY MANUALoa BIOCHE~STRY. Benjamin Harrmu, Gilbert C. H.Stone, Harry Wogreich, Ernest Borek, and Abraham Mazur. Chemistry Department, City College, College of the City of New York. Second Edition, revised. W. B. Saunders Company. Philadelphia, 1944. v 132 pp. 23 figs. 9 tables. 15.5 X 23.5cm. $1.50. This is a new edition of a laboratory manual first published in 1940 to provide simple experiments which will demonstrate certain phases of the subject matter covered in Harrow's "Textbook of Biochemistry." Minor improvements have been made in a few experiments, and several new experiments have been introduced. This manual remains a good guide for laboratory courses in biochemistry. ABRAHAM Wmm
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QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS. Eugene W . Kanning, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Indiana University. Revised Edition. Prentice-Hall, Inc., New York, 1941. xx 471 pp. 15 X 22.5 cm. .W.70 ( 8 . 0 0 to schools). The first edition of this text, published in 1938, contained 304 pages. I n his preface the author states: "A large part of the content has been rewritten and enlarged in order to effect m o d s . cations that class use has indicated as desirable." The reviewer will be interested to see if the next edition shows a comparable increase. Will the author he able t o resist the present trend t o make textbooks thicker for fear that someone will not find a complete exposition of the field in even an introductory text? "The skilled analyst draws from a vast background of chemical knowledge." "The instructor in an introductory course in quantitative analysis must work with students who possess but little of this essential background. He must develop the general principles of hoth theory and lahoratory technique, and present carefully selected analytical prohlems to illustrate the theory and provide far the acquisition of manipulative skill. The author has sought to solve these problems by writing a text which has a logical sequence in hoth theory and lahoratory experiments. With this in mind, the theoretical and experimental divisions are definitely set apart. This permits the instructor to use either section without discontinuity."
Part I (265 pp.) gives a good treatment, an the proper level, of the essential laws and theories. I t also contains general instructions concerning the execution of various quantitative methods, and the principles of gravimetric and titrimetric procedures. More advanced nhvsicochemical methods felectrodeposition, eolorimctry, dectrornetric titrdons) are given in enough detail and variety t o provide the rweytional sophomore or junior with a n opportunity to become acquainted with these methods of achieving analytical goals. A group of questions closes each chapter. , Part I1 (135 pp.) contains representative illustrative d e t a minations that have become standard exercises for the novice or adolescent analyst. "Each experiment is presented in four parts: (a) principles which include a review of the fundamentals that fnm the background for the procedure; (b) procedure, which consists of detailed instructions required for the analysis; (6) notes, which explain the various steps in the prmedure, the errors that might occur, and the limitations and applications of the procedure; (d) questions and problems, which are exercises pertinent to the fundamentals and applications of the experiment." . . "Throughout Part I1 close collaboration with the treatment in Part I is accomplished." The Appendix (38 pp.) contains tables of the necessary data, factors, a five-place logarithm tahle, prescriptions for reagents, a short list of books, and the answers to the stoichiometric prohlems. Quantitative nnalysi~t i a n art, or, accardiug to some, a craft. Clifton Fadiman once wrotc "An art is .omrthing you have to learn. To learn an nrt requirrj a teacher." No text in this field can take the place of a c&petent teacher, who actually works with the students in the lahoratory, particularly in the early stages of the course. This hook will serve as an excellent supplement to the instructor's explanations and demonstrations. It has the great virtue of not attempting too much and of staying a t a level consistent with the chemical maturity of its probable readers. I t is written in plain language, the explanations are lucid, the directions are easy to comprehend. A student who has creditably covered the hulk of the material of this text will he well prepared t o (1) face the analytical problems presented by courses in organic or physical chemistry; (2) pursue advanced courses in analytical chemistry: (3) understand a report suhmitted by an analyst; (4) take a job in an industrial lahoratory. The publishers have given the text an attractive format. RALPHE. OESPER
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Our OF THE TEST Tues. Harry IY. Holmcs, Oberlin College. Fourth Edition, revised and expanded. Emerson Books, Inc., New York. 1943. x 311 pp. 103 figs. 15 X 23 an.
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This is the fowth edition of Dr. Holmes' popular book which compresses into one volume the dramatic story of chemistry. The text and illustrations fairly sparkle as he tells the story of chemistry's far-reaching influence on our modern life. This edition is completely revised to include a chapter on "Strategic raw materials" and "Chemistry after the war." I t has been said of this hook that it is "the best popular discussion of chemistry since the publication of Slosson's 'Creative Chemistry."' "If you are one of those intelligent, yet non-technical people who have interest in chemistry and would like to penetrate beyond its 'wonders' to an appreciation of its methods: "If you want to understand our research, our reasoning, in order that you may relate chemistry t o daily life, to economics, to social relations, to the arts, to national defense, and t o world affairs," says the author's preface, "Then to you, in your easy chair, this book is dedicated."
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