It is also true, however, that I could find only one sentence referring to the atomic and ionic radii chart, that mbshells are nowhere mentioned a t all, thatreference to coordination number is litcking, and that no mention is made of hydrogen bonding in compounds other than water, nor is it made clear why hydrogen bonding occurs. Furthermore, as in the previous edition, the periodic c h a t iis not discussed until page 377 of this 616 page text. In other words, the changes in the direction of explaining properties by structure are quite superficial. Much the same comment can be applied to the expanded treatments of Le Chatel i d s Principle, X-ray diffraction, and pH, as well as the revisions in the section on nuclear energy. A summary of important principles a t the end of each unit, newly introduced, is useful. A beautiful five page, transparent, full color spread showing the construction of a nuclear power plant catches the eye, but it leaves one wondering if the considerable money that this must have involved might not have been put to better use in revising the text more thoroughly. As did its predecessor, this book has much to commend it. Nevertheless, it is quite disturbing to see the trend in high school chemistry books away from good, solid theory, and toward applications and technology. This is not the only text that has been "revised" by modernizing the photographs, and by including all the latest investians, to the neglect of reorganieing the theoretical approach FREDB. EISEMAN, JR. John Bwrough, Srhool St. Louis. Mi88ouri The Challenge of Chemistry
0. A. Ballista, American Visoose Corporation, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. The John C. Winston Company, Philadelphia, 1959. 168pp. Figs. 16 X 23.5 cm. $3.95. This small book is concernid with a oommonplaee topic, the stimulation of greater popular interest in ohemistry. The method used is t o depict the work and motivations of individuals, many of them reel, in various areas of chemistry through short chapters on organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, agricultural and food chemistry, high polymer ohemistry, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, radiochemistry, and industrial and engineering chemistry. Still other ohapters are ooncerned with the opportunities and requirements for teaching and the place of women in chemistry. The word challenge occurs in 14 of the 15 chaoter headinrrs. and it is used repeatedly in ail the chapt&s: The book is replete with such words as exciting, marvelous, dramatic, momentous, and magnificent. Through the use of many illustrations from real laboratory experiences and the employment of s. vivid style the book will probably succeed in capturing the attention of many who have opportunity to read it. The emphasisis strongly on the practical uses of chemistry in our everyday lives. On this basis the young readers are urged to become professional chemists. As
presented, chemistry is exciting, relatively unexplored, and not too difficultfor youth who are fascinated by it. Relatively little is included whereby young readers may judge whether they have aptitudes and abilities necessary for success as professional chemists. I t is unfortunate that more emphasis is not placed on the cultural vslues in the study of chemistry. Several black and white line drawings are used with some effectiveness to illustrate significant points. There are relatively few errors. The book should be made available to high school students and their teachers since it will help them know the practical importance of chemistry. HARRYG. DAY Indiana University Blomnington
Nouveav Trait6 de Chimie MinCrale. Volume 18.
Edited by Paul Pascal, Honorary Professor, Sarhonne. Masson e t Cie, 944 pp. Figs. Paris, 1959. m i x and tables. 18 X 26 am.
+
This volume apparently resulted from an attempt to divide the material on iron, cobalt, and nickel into two volumes of approximately the same siee in the treatise. The inclusion of complexes of these elements together under one cover is a convenient and logical division but in order to produce volumes of equal siee, all ionic compounds of iron have been inoluded here as well as the true complexes. This makes the effectiveness of Pascal's division somewhat less than i t might have been bad only true complexes been included. Over400 pages are devoted to complexes and ionic compounds of iron, some 350 to complexes of cobalt, and about 160 to complexes of nickel. These were written by C. Duvd, P. Job, and R. Duval, respectively, except for the sections on carbonyls and nitrosyls of iron by A. Michel, earbonyls of cobalt by J . Amiel, and carhonyls of nickel by P. Pascal. Bihliographic references number nearly 6,300 with rather large numbers from the early literature. Although this volume did not appear until late in 1959, a large part of the literature searches did not go beyond 1956 and only one bibliography indicated a literature search into 1958. Comparisons with Gmelin and Mellor cannot be made inasmuch as the other volume on iron, cobalt, and nickel has not yet been published by Pascal, and Gmelin d s o lacks completion, Pascal's volume does have the advantage over Mellar in being able to use modern theories and treatment of complexes, and this will be true to some extent in comparison with Gmelin when complete, since supplemeuts to the latter hill not include material written after 1949. Improvement of indexing could well he made, but the index does compare favorably with those of others in the set.
R. KRUMM University of Florida Gainesville
Erranlials of College Chemistry
Paul R. fiey, Colorado State Universitv. Fort Collins. Prentiee-Hall. Inc., "~nglewood Cliffs, New ~ersey: 520 pp. Figs. and 1960. xviii tables. 15.5 X 23.5 em. $6.95.
+
This is a briefer text than the author's previous books, some 233 pages shorter than the second edition of his College Chemistry. I t assumes no previous knowledge of chemistry on the part of the stula' u , i ~ p ! ,,SF ir b., ., k dent. ---.-
