the latest results, both experimental and theoretical, in the field of fundamental electroohemistrv. from milnv leadine estahlish-
Bureau of Standsrd~,who was chairman of the symposium, prep m d the volume and contributed one of the papers. I t would be quite out of the question to attempt to review individually all of these brief papers by some of the great autborities in the field. Although the reviewer is not in a position to select any of these articles as heing more meritorious than others, he feels compelled to admit that by reading certain of them his knowledge of the topics involved became more nearly up to date. The field covered is broad and this is Likely dsa to he the experience of others. He takes it upon himself to express to the Bureau of Standardds, to Dr. Hamer, and to the other authors, the gratitude of physical chemists everywhere for bringing together so concisely so much valuable material relating to electrochemical constants.
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THE MICROPHYSICAL WORLD
William Wilson, Professor Emeritus of Physics, University of 216 pp. London. Philosophical Library, New York, 1954. vii 30 figs. 3 tables. 11 X 17 cm. 53.75.
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WRITTEN hv, one of the earliest aontrihutors to nuantum mwhnnies, this book is intended to "scnv nr an introduction and prrhnpr ns :m incitement to the more wriou; stud) of phpicnl wicnw " A rncrhocl of epiwdir trmrmmt of thr devrloprnent of our concepts of subtttomic structure is followed. Many great scientists are mentioned and their contributions most succinctly treated. It is inevitable that such s. treatment comes out of date all too quickly, hut the present volume suffers from stopping before it reaches some of the most fascinatine of recent discoveries. ~~~
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early suggestion. Authors of books inciting to serious study must tread the very narrow path between oversimplification and overextension of the reader's capacity. Assuming a reader with the equivslent of a good introduction to physical science, corresponding to a beginning college course, this book is oversimplified. Assuming onlv a secondarv-school hackeround. the book is too succinct and: advanced. "Much of is to be found in it, the presentation is superior, but the tone misses the ideal a t which it is aimed. I . A. CAMPBELL
Oenmm C O ~ E O E
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MODERN CHEMICAL DISCOVERIES
Richard Clements. former Editor of The Chemical Aoe. E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., New York, 1954. xiii 290 pp. 6 0 figs. 15 X 22 cm. 55.
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Tars boo!< attempts to replare Sir William Tilden's "Chemical Discovery and Invention in the Twentieth Century." The author's amhition is to embrace all chemical discovery in the last 50 years. Ahout one-half of the hook features advances in organic chemistry. The develonment of nuclear enerev is described in detail. T ~ Etirat part of the hook g i w ~a hirtnl.'real background. Thia barkpround, plus a nodding nrqunintnnr* with elenwnrnn chemistry, is amplr torrmtrb the lay rriwler to ~ ~ n d r n t a the r d text.
Readera in the United States will notice the English atmosphere in its pages. Had the hook been written on this side of the AtImtic, doubtless more attention would be given to petrochemicds, and to inorganic chemistry including hydrides, oarhides, ductile titanium, silicones, and synthetic cryst&. "Modern Chemical Discoveries" is a good reference book of the popular type for the school or college library. ELBERT C. WEAVER Pnrmr~aA c * o a v ~ A ~ o o v ~ M&asmnnsm~s n.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT OF ELECTRIC CHARGE
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Duane Roller, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Duane H. D. Roller, University of Oldahoma. Harsard University Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1954. v 97 pp. 15.5 X 23 cm. Paper bound. 51.60.
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Tms paper-hound volume is Case 8 in the Haward Case Histories in Experimental Science. Its subtitle, "Electricity from the Greeks to Coulomb,," tells the period covered. The authors stick rather closely to their task of discussing the developments which influenced later thinking and experimenting. In this fairly straight line of growth of electrical concepts we find the names of Gilbert, Cahw, Hauksbee, Gray, Dufay, Franklin, Priestley, and Coulomb as heing particularly prominent. Their contributions are described and evaluated in terms of their lasting significance. The reader's interest is sustained by the use of homely detail, quotations, and original illustrations. At the end of the hook there are 65 thought-provoking questions and exercises and a bibliography with 97 entries. Thcre is no index. As minor adverse criticisms it should he noted that students might be puzzled to find "induction" called "electrification by influence" n.ith no hint that this term is now archaic, and, in the epilogue, the attempt to unite the one- and two-fluid theories is neither convincing nor helpful. The authors frequently step back from their immediate task and show how it illustrates a more general problem in science. This hook is definitely successful and will not only make worthwhile reading for students, but should convey new insight to many teachers. RICHARD WISTAR n l r ~ CO,..E.E ~a O*~L*ND.C * L I ~ B N , *
THE LIPIDS. THEIR CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY. VOLUME 11: BIOCHEMISTRY. DIGESTION. ABSORPTION, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE Harry I. Deuel, Ir., Dean Graduate School and Professor of Bioehemistry, University of Southern California. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New Yo&, 1955. xxvi + 919 pp. 31 bgs. Tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. 525. 0
THE second volume of Deuel's "Lipids" has finally appeared, four years after the publication of Volume I. I t had been anticipated that this second volume, devoted to the biochemistry of the lipids, would complete the u-ork. The author now finds that he needs an additional volume to treat adequately the many biochemical aspects of the lipidn. This is not surprising in view of the author's statement that "an attempt has been made to list all the investigators who have contributed to any study,, irrespective of whether they were the first to report these findings or among the numerous workers who have confirmed and extended the data." Whether or not this objective has been nt.tained. this volume is indeed a. monumental aork. It will -~ ~.~~ long rm.e am a rrfrrmcp sourre for ilnyonr who &hrs to familiarize himelf with the rxprri1nent2l work that ha8 bwn done in ~~~~
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