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An Elernentaq Study of Chemistry. T < r r ~ ~ McPnERsoN ~ M AND WILLIAM EDWARDS HENDERSON of The Ohio State University. Columbus. Ohio. Revised edition. Ginn & Co.. New 729 pp. 312 York City, 1932. x Figs. 13 X 19cm. $2.40.
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able. There are some places where the revision of sentence structure for the sake of revision might well have been left undone, as the original style of writing was excellent. In this text 312 figures as compared with 243 in the old edition indicate the present trend in the use of visual education. The pictures illustrating industrial processes are very good. There are few typographical errors, which is indicative of careful proof-reading. On page 608 the subscript 2 is dropped from SiOz. The authors enlarged the index by three pages which is a step in the right direction. The rare earth elements are condensed to half a page. Illinium, of interest because of its discovery in the United States, is not found in the index. Although the freshman student of chemistry may be able to perceive little difference in the two editions, the teacher of +emism will appreciate the many corrections and additions the authors have madein bringing this excellent text up-to-date. A. L.ELDER
This text is a revision of the third edition published in 1927. The student of freshman chemistry who tries to campare the new edition with the old would probably be inclined to ask his instructor why he should not buy a second-hand copy of the 1927 edition with a blue cover rather than the 1932 model clothed in red and carrying a very attractive cover design. A careful survey of the text shows many changes. The chapter on "Nitrogen and the Rare Elements of the Atmosphere" is placed five chapters later in the text. The chapters on "Molecular Weights, Formulas," "The Three States of Matter," "Carbon," and "Valence" have been reshuffled. Chlorine precedes sulfur in the new edition. Chapters on "Electrochemistry," "The Ceramic Industries," and "Some Metals of Recent SYBAEDSB UNIYBRSIIY SYRACUSE, N&wYORK Technical Importance" have been inserted. The chapter on "Ceramic InMarvels of Modern Chemistry. BEVEWLY dustries" was formerly called "The L. CLARKE, Ph.D., author of "The Silicate Industries." The subject matter Romance of Reality." Based on is much the same. The exercises a t the "Everyman's Chemistry" by ELLWOOD end of the chapters have been rewritten. HENDRrcK. Harper & Brothers, New The new edition contains three additional 374pp. 7Figs. York City, 1932. xv chapters and one hundred more pages. 31 Full-page photographs. 20.5 X The authors are convinced that "the 14 ern. $3.00. real test of the success of an elementary course in chemistry must be found in the The title of this book is somewhat misextent to which the pupil has been trained leading in that from it one might guess to grasp the fundamental facts and this to be another of the recent crop of theories of science and has learned to glorified romances of chemistry. The reason correctly in chemical relations." reader will discover quite the contrary, The use of short paragraphs, many however, long before he relaxes "his styles of type for emphasis, and a grade of concentration on entropy and hexagons paper which produces little glare by and triple bonds and the innumerable electric light, makes the book very read- other oddities of the world of things-as2145
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JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
they-are" to read in the Epilogue, "I shall not delude myself that there have been no dull spots in this bwk. I t is indeed inevitable that there should be such. The chemist cannot pretend that all of his science is interesting, any more than a nature-lover can seriously assert that all the world is seascapes and Alpine sunsets. . . . I have therefore conceived it as incumbent upon me, in attempting to acquaint you with the nature of chemistry t o include the dull spots along with the spectacular, making a t the same time the concession of trying to extract from the former the maximum of interest they authentically contain. Any other procedure would inculcate a false perspective, and would therefore be the part of insincerity." While the book lists in some detail many of the physical and chemical properties of the elements, and contains much theoretical matter which is seldom included in a popular treatment, the manner of presentation is interesting enough to hold the serious-minded reader. The hook is remarkably free from those misleading statements and scientific half-. truths which crowd non-technical discussions of a highly specialized science such as chemistry. In view of the recent work on transmutation of the elements, however, the following "proper definition" of an atom seems unfortunate. "An elemental atom cannot be changed. by under the control of men, . any. Process to another kind of atom." "Marvels of Modern Chemistry" may be recommended to the layman who desires an introduction to the principles of chemistry together with a brief discussion of the outstanding industrial applications. JonN R. SAMPEY HOWARD COLLBCB BILM.NOH*M. AL*.A.*
The Teaching of High School Chemistry. (Formerly Teaching First-Year Chemistry.) J. 0 . FRANK, Professor of Science Education and Head of the Chemistry Department, Wisconsin State Teachers' College a t Oshkosh.
DECEMBER. 1932
Fifth edition. J. 0 . Frank and Sons, 286 pp. Oshkosh, Wis., 1932, vi 14 X 21.6 cm. S3.00.
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In the introduction, the author states that "It is the purpose of this book to present material which will he of immediate aid t o those who are teaching first year chemistry and to offer an interpretation of such evidence as is available regarding many of the unsettled questions regarding instruction in chemistry. Less attention is given, in the fifth edition, to the teaching of college chemistry. It is believed, however, that nearly everything in the book ought to he of-interest and value to the teacher of first-year college chemistry. Since the teaching of qualitative analysis is becoming more and more a subject of thought for high school teachers, and since there is little or nothing regarding its teaching available, the writer feelsjustified in devoting several pages to this important subject, feeling sure that most teachers rill he interested in information and suggertions that will contribute to better teaching in this field." An important feature of the book ir the large numher of references to original articks found in eight professional journals. The many references, under classified OF CHEMICAL headings, to the JOURNAL EDUCATION (to January, 1932) are especially useful to the chemistry teacher. The history, criticisms, aims, and ohjectives of high-school chemsitry are discussed in the first four chapters. The fifth chapter is devoted l o an analysis of the scientific attitude and scientific method, the sixth and seventh chapters t o the selection and organization of suhject matter and high-school chemistry texts. Four chapters are given t o teaching plans and methods both in the high school and junior college. Tests and measurements, references and illustrative materials, the library, the laboratory, and preparation and advancement of the chemistry teacher are discussed in six chapters. The teaching of qualitative and quantitative analysis constitute the material of the two concluding chapters (XVIII and XIX).
