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JOURNAL O F CHEMICAL EDUCATION
classification of high polymers and the determination of physicalchemical properties. "Polyamides" discusses in some detail the production of 66-nylon and other salts of this type. "Polyesters" merely refers to cross-references under five other headings. The petroleum industry is the giant in this volume, with crossreferences to many petroleum plmducts discussed individually. The compoaition and origin of petroleum itre discussed extensively. A lengthy table gives compositions and properties of many petroleum produota. Separate sections are devoted t o petroleum chemicals and to petroleum waxes. This section will he used frequently for its authoritative material on processes and products. The inorganic chemist will find much of importance to him. Sections on peroxides and peroxy compounds (20), phosphorus and its compounds (52), phosphoric acids and phosphates (40), snd the platinum group metals (41). The analytical ohemist d l find sections an polarimetry (8) and polarography (14). The organic chemist is interested in the sections on perfumes (331, peroxides and perox,ycampounds (30), pharmaceuticals (33), phenol and phenols (43), phenolic aldehydes and ethers (15), phosphorus compounds (16), phthalic acids (23), ss mvell as many of the organic industrial items. The physical chemist will find sections on the phase rule (13), photochemistry (9) and photoelectric cells (23). The chemical engineer will refer to sections a n pilot plants (15), plant layout (7) and location (lo), as well ss oioes and valves (131.
with discovering the relationships between molecular structure and cellular function. If the first stage is a kind of "molecular anatomy" then the second is "molecular physiology." Although this hook contains no chemical formulas, the author somehow convinces the reader that the future of biochemistry lies in "molecular physiology." In the first chapter is an account of W6hler's synthesis of urea, its historical background and its significance in initistinq the rcienee of biochemistry. Later chapters deal with enzymes, vitamins, sugars, the use of isotopic tracers, amino acids and proteina, the blood, the defense of cells against toxic substances and hacteria, genes and the chemicd basis of heredity, and the chemistry of nerve impulses. In a clear and easily followed style the author portrays the environment of biochemical investigation through an exciting and stimulating account of biochemical discoveries and their relation to each other. Of the two books, Mr. Campbell's philosophical essay on the nature of science is the more mature and thought-provoking. Because of its comparative abstractness it is perhaps less suitable for beginners in science and of greater value in clarifying the thinking of those who already have some experience with one or s~veralof the sciences. WALTER B. KEIGHTON
SWARTRMORE COLLEOE SaAn~nwonm.PENNBYLYAN~A
KINETICS AND MECHANISM
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ment, and the photographic process in general. All of us me pleased that Volume X i s not the end of E.C.T., hut we are looking forward to the completion of this valuable reference set. I t is hoped that extensions and revisions of the original material are planned as a continuing program to better our chemical reference material. KENNETH A. KOBE
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WHAT IS SCIENCE?
Norman Campbell, physicist. Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1952. (Reprint of 1921 publication,) 192 pp. 13.5 X 20.5 cm. Cloth $2.50, paper $1.25. 0
MAN, THE CHEMICAL MACHINE
Ernest Borek, New York City College, and Research Associate in Biological Chemistry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. Columbia University Press, New York, 219 pp. 14 X 22.5 em. $3. 1952. xiv
Arthur A. Frost and Ralph G. Pearson, Associate Professors of Chemistry, Northwestern University. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1953. vii 343 pp. 51 figs. 38 tables. 15 X 23.5 cm. $6.
PROBABLY no branch of chemi~tryholds more industrial and scientific interest today than doe- chemical kinetics, the subject of this hook. The conception of the equilibrium concentration of activated complexes crossing the harrier toward products (aside from the transmission coefficient effect) puts all of t,he methods of thermodynamics a t our disposal. Such considerations are a central theme in the presentation. Although, in principle, the deduction of mechanism is possible from theory, in fact, it is usually arrived a t only after much careful consideration ot experiment. This procedure is well illustrated here. Enough eiven so that one eets a~" mod airexnerimental facts are usurtllv . .. ruw oi thc stntur of tht. pirtivulur rewtion under roniiJvrariwn. The hook i z s r i t r m judivi~u~lv w i t h iutrrwtinp IICW m>~rerill. Suvh H IrP~tmCnlof cheru-,I kiwtim i+ a W C I ~ ~ddllion ~ P to student, teaeher, and research u-orker alike.'
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HENRY EYRING
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THERE is no dearth of books intended to explain to the highschool student or college freshman the nature of science or of some particular science, hoping to attract the student to t,he science by showing him what to expect from it. Some are an fanciful as the Sunday supplement or as trivial as some advertising copy-thers are on s. more restrained and adult level. Thew two books are of the latter t,vpe. The first attempts to answer the question "What is Science?" in part by asking and answering such other questions as "What is a. 'law' of science?" "How are laws discovered, explained, used?" "What is a theory?" ''What is measurement?" Its thesis is that the fundamental aim of science is to satisfy our purely intellectual desires. "It has applications to practical life, only because i t is true; and its truth arises directly and immediately from its success as an instrument of intellectusl satisfaction" (page 158). The same thread runs through Professor Borek's book, but is embellished by many applications of hiachemistr,y. The author refers to two stages in the development of biochemistry. The first stage is a deseriptive himhemintry in whieh the principal task is to identify the molecules taking pest in biochemical reactions. The second stage requires greater rigor, nkill, and ingenuity and is concerned
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U N I V S R ~ OI IT~ UTAB Smr
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C. H.
L&xe C ~ r r UTAH .
THE BILE PIGMENTS Gray, Professor of Chemical Pathology, University of
London. Methuen & Co., Ltd., London; John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 142 pp. 26 figs. 11 X 17 em. $1.75. New York, 1953. xv
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"THE Bile Pigments" is another volume of Methuen's monographs on biochemical subjects whieh measures up to the high standard set in earlier members of this series. These monographs demonstrate that it is possible to publish an adequate discussion of a biochemical topic in book form and a t a cost whieh is not prohibitive to the average reader. I n late years many fine scientific hooks, because of the expense involved, have been beyond the reach of many people who would like to own them. In the early chapters of the present volume the structure of bilirubin, hiliverdin, urohilin, mesohilirubin, and other bile pigment derivatives me treated in detail. The hrillimt synthetic work of Hans Fiseher and his associates in Munich, to whom we are indebted far much of our knowledge of the chemisttry of bile
