BOOK REVIEWS Minerals for the Chemical m d Allied Industries Sydneu J. Johwlone, Technical Con-
London, and filaqera G. Johnstme. 2nd ed. John \Tiley & Suns, Inc., Yew York, 1961. xi f i88 pp. Tnhles. 15 X L"L.5 cnl. sultant,
5'25.
This edition follows t h first, ~ published in 1954, in fonnat and style of treatment. Man," chapters have b e ~ n extensively revised in the light of the latest nvailahle infortnation and data, some of which was classified when the first edition was prepared. A half-dozen new chapters have heen added, reflect,ing the everincreasing variety of mineral m:cterinls of economic importanc~. I t was the purpose of the authors to Iring together in one volume [rrtinent information ahout mineral materials of ecnnomic significance which w-r,uld he useful to producers and usen of such materials. Particular attention h8s been paid t o t h r specifications far mineral products which m a l e them serrptnbk RS mw materials for chemical usage. Unquestionably, the authors have achieved their purplse admirshly. British publieatinns have hem d r a m upon extensively, hut hardly n m n s ~ t than those of t,he 'nited Statrs. Ccmsiderahk use has been made also of French and other continental wurces of infmmation. Ench chapter is cuncluded r i t h :in extensivr bibliography. Ench c h a p t ~ deals r with a single minwal material. In general, thr. c h a p t ~ r ia introduced a i t h n descripbion of t,Iw material. In following sections, world production, and uses 21re d i s c u s ~ d In many instancps, s p ~ c i n l attrnt,ion is paid to the treatment necessary t o convrrt the- mineral raa. mntrrinl t o n markctnhlr commodit?. With the rxceptim of ~ e t r o k u m ,all of the mrtnllie and non-metallic msterials of economic importance which are derived from the w r t h are discussed. The chapters are arranged alphnbetically, making the v o l u m ~ :I most convfmient. refcrencp. Even though the focus of this book is toward industry-hath producer and consumer-t,hose concerned with the economics of mineral materials s i l l find it valuable. I t seems t o this reviewer, also, that this hook can hr a most hdpiul referonce for those primarily conwrned with chemistry per w. The processing of natocll mineral materials and tlleir conversion into useful products often involve ehprnical technology. The synthesis uf minerals which are sparsely distributed in the ertrbh's crust and which are of strategic importance is a ficld oi intriguing possibilities in chemistr,y. Indeed, as the authors of this volomr point out, synthesis of such minerals as mica and diamonds have already been achieved on a commercial scale. "hlinerals for the Chemical and Allicd Industries" is well rritten. I t s eom-
(Continlrerl on page .19il')
A970
/
Journol of Chemical Education
BOOK REVIEWS pleteness is a tribute t o the exhaustive and ~ a i n s t a k i n gresearch carried on by t,he authors.
Connecticut Slate Department of Education Hor
