book reviews amples of neglect in rather simple systems. Two examples; on page 84, where he discusses low sulfur fuels, he fails to mention that low sulfur fuels also lead to higher particulate emissions due to decreased efficiency of the electraetatic precipitators. In the chapter on radiation, he neglects hioaccumulatian factors and in the introdudion, treats the bioseeumulation as though it does not really occur (due to Sr/Ca discrimination). A second fault is a touch of naivete about environmental politics, action and reaction. One gets the impression that the environmental movement is being carried out by neat government scientists in white lab coats. Of course, this failing is common to most hooks of this genre. Ralph Nader is mentioned in passing, but somehow the author manages to get through a chapter on food, drugs, and cosmetics without once mentioning Consumers Union, and the Sierra Club is found only in the list of organizations on Page 342. Two of my favorite environmental horror stories are missing, the St. Louis baby tooth survey and the fire ant eradication program. They would serve as good examples of the results of citizen action and of the sometimes negative role of government agencies. The author also fails to mention social forces as a factor in envimnmental degradation. Again this is not a unique failing; perhaps it is better neglected than garbled. This can be a useful book for the purpmes for which it was intended provided that the reader is willing to supplement the book by reading some of the references. Harold W. Kahn Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Columbus. Ohio 43216
Graduate School in the Sciences, Entrance, Survival, and Careers
Jack G. Coloert, Ohio State University, James N Pitts, J r , University of California, Riverside, and George H. D a r i o ~ Bacardi Corporation. Wiley-Interscience, New York. nii 304 pp. Figs. and tables. 14.5 x 22.5 cm. $9.95.
+
This book is dedicated to students. That makes it unique far a treatise ahout graduate schools. Our graduate dean agrees that useful literature directed a t present or prospective graduate students is indeed sparse. The authors are faithful to their target audience, students. Therefore, they rarely allow themselves the luxury of philosophyzing, sermonizing, or proselytizing. The subject matter is practical, up-to-date and comprehensive. The authors are chemists and the book reflects that disciplinary orientation. However. I believe the oractical advice which the bouk providea is mraninglul and umeIg for buth graduate studtnfr and faculty m all rxprrimmtal rcienres The authors' backgrounds and experiences cover the spectrum of academe, government, and industry and includes the perspective of management, administration, teacher, and
.
A462
/
~~~~
~~~~
Journal of Chemical Education
t o a n organic textbook. It offers more eommentary on the uses of organic substances than is found in a textbook. It can make a chemistry course more relevant and motivate those who have not yet developed an interest in the subject." In a grammatieally, scientifically and typographically wellwritten and refreshing manner he successfully accomplishes this charge. Chapter four (Commercial Uses of Functional Types) is the central focus of the book and should be required reading for any student completing organic chemistry. By discussing ether and anesthesia; nitro compounds end explosives; halogen compounds and pesticides; amines, the pain killers; synthetic dyes; rubber, textiles, and plastics; terpenes and steroids; saturated hydrocarbons, the motor fuels; flavor and fragrances; and detergents, the author provides a much needed treatise on the functions of organic systems to areas of their application. Upon completion of any beginning organic chemistry sequence many students remain puzzled by its practical significance. This chapter alleviates such a question mark. Here, the author discusses current topics of research development (e.g., insect sex attractants and juvenile hormones, prostaglandins) in addition to .the traditionally covered subjects. An added pedagogical advantage t o this monograph is the ease with which the author establishes foundations for sophisticated terms and advanced concepts. For example, his discussion of the significance molecular shapes and sizes play in producing various odors introduces the student to receptor cite theory while his analysis of detergents allows far a fruitful entry into the area of fatty acids, emulsifiers, sewage treatment, etc. As in other chapters, references for further reading are plentiful. The remaining five chapters function as a supporting foundation for chapter four. With a brief discussion of topics to be developed in greater detail later (e.g., chemotherapy, polymers, etc.), chapter one (Organic Chemistry-the Key to Better Living) defines and brings organic chemistry into current perspective. Chapter two (A Brief Historical Development of Organic Chemistry) is the only chapter out-oftune with the rest of the book. Barely more than a page, the information therein could be better served by a table. Chapter three (Structural Theory of Organic Chemistry) is a generalized review of structural organic chemistry. Here the author displays his unique ability to relate chemical principles to 'realistic concerns. An example is his discussion of ionic verWilliam 6. Dean - Cook.,~ ~. sus covalent bonding and the significance of such properties in sickle cell anemia. College of Natural Sciences Colorado State University This chapter is a study best suited for the Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 student nearing completion of the beginning organic sequence as areas such as isomerism, reaction dynamics and aromaticity are each dealt with in four or less pages. Further testament to the book's use as a supplemental text is the excellent Organic Chemistry: A Science and an Art capsule section on spectroscopy and its relation tofunctional groupanalysis. Lloyd N. Ferguson, California State In chapter five (Natural Product ChemCollege, Los Angeles. Willard Grant istry) the author uses natural products Press, Inc., Boston, 1972. 107 pp. Figs. (i.e., terpenes) as a profitable area to elaband tables. 14.5 x 21 cm. $2.95 paperorate upon structure determinations and back; $4.95 casebound. organic synthesis. Using well developed In the foreword the author states: "This monograph can be used as a supplement (Continued on page A464) student. I suspect that the manuscript war reviewed bv comoetent critics from other disrrplincs, minority puupa. and spouses t,f paduare studenr. Over 'lib pages of the 3.1 )-page book are text covering essentially every important decision and aspect of pre-, intra- and post-graduate school experience. The tent is interesting and easy to read. In this respect the book differs from many "howto" manuals. The Index, Bibliography, and the List of Appended Tables are comprehensive, up to date, and useful. Fiftythree references are cited, many of which deal with statistical information about the job market. The tables include the expected information on comparative salaries, numbers of scientists in various fields, sources of pre- and post-doctoral financial support, Federal research support, ete., but also includes less common information such as the addresses of national societies from which career opportunity literature may be obtained and a listing of major nonprofit research institutions employing scientists and engineers. The authors state that they will "tell it like it is," and they do. The style is simple and straightforward; sometimes rather chatty. A perusal of the topics and subtopics gives a clue to what one can learn from reading the book. For example, Part I1 is titled, "Life in the Academic Salt Mine." One of the chapters is "Meeting the Formal and 'Informal' Graduate School and Departmental Requirements.'' A suh-topic of this chapter is "Initiation Rites of Graduate School." One of the most interesting parts of the hook, in my opinion, is the sub-section on "Responsibility of Academic Life." These 38 pages are worth the price of the book for every faculty member who buys it. Down to earth, detailed guidance is given on how to prepare lectures, how to evaluate their effectiveness, and how to cope with various classroom situations. Accurate referince is made t o the credibility gap whieh exists between academe and scientific establishment an one hand and the public and their representatives in legislatures on the other. The authors give some very practical advice, including aetual examples, of how to meet the problem effectively. My son, who is a second year graduate student in biophysics, has been sent a copy of this book. Also, I have given a copy af the book to each of the chairmen in the College of Natural Sciences. At $9.95 a copy I had t o be convinced that the book was worth reading. I t is! ~
~~
~~~
book r.eviews "road map" problems and step-by-step synthetic reasoning, the author accomplishes his stated task-to provide "a pattern of deductive thought" and create "an ability t o develop a rational hasis for the solution of a given problem whether it is chemical, biological, or practical." A final chapter (Epilog) is a reflection upon the various significant discoveries in organic chemistry, their serendipity nature, and a look into the future. This chapter, with its philosophical undertones, provides some interesting food to stimulate thinking. S. W. Schneller University 01 South Florida Tampa. Florida 33620
Problems in Advanced Organic Chemistry
Jerry March. Marcel Dekker. Inc.. 1971. 432 pp. $9.75. Profissor Jerry March has done it again. He has put together an excellent problem hook to accompany his excellent text "Advanced Organic Chemistry." The hook contains 845 problems, many of which have multi-parts. There are sixteen prohlem sets in all which correspond specifically to all the chapters in the text with the exception of the chapters on reactive intermediates (carbonium ions, etc.) and the chapter on instrumental methods. The former topic is interspersed throughout the problems on specific types of reactions and the latter topic is excluded due to the large number of problem hooks already on the market. Approximately one-third of the problems have answers and for most of these a literature reference is included far further clarification. In general Professor March
A464
/
Journal of Chemical Education
has used the interpretation from the literature except where more recent studies have shed more light on the problem. The answers t o the remaining problems are not included but a literature reference is given far each. As with most organic problem hooks of this type, there is an emphasis on mechanistic interpretations of reactions both from s standmint of stereochemistrs and electronic effects, However, synthetic procedures are also stressed and many problems involve long multi-step pathways. The student can then compare his route with a loute that actually worked. In my senior undergraduate level course this has provoked many intelligent arguments over which way is the method of choice. The scope of bath the types of problems and the literature covered is extensive. A student in an institution with inadequate library facilities is clearly a t a disadvantage in looking up the answer; however this can be a n advantage when one wants the student t o merely get a hint from the abstract and then use his head from there on. The illustrations of structural features of molecules are very well done and incorporate most of the conventions found in the literature. There are very few errors or ambiguities in the hook. Finally the book should he useful starting with the advanced undergraduate level and continuing up t o the practicing organic chemist who wants to have fun. John C . Cochran Coigate University Hamilton, New York 13346
Spectral Analysis of Organlc Compounds, 2nd Edition
Clifford J. Creswell and Olaf A . Runboth of Hamline Univ., and Moleolm M. Combell, Heriot-Wall Univ. Burgess Publishing Co., Minneapolis,
quist,
+
1972. v 331 pp. Tables. 28.7 x 22.2 cm. $12.95. This is a clear, well written and complete introduction to the spectral analysis of organic compounds. The authors have prepared such a clearly organized programmed text that a student should be able to grasp the content with confidence as he works through it. Background and methodology are developed in small steps, each illustrated with examples and problems and neatly summarized for review. The book introduces uv, visible, ir, nmr and mass spectroscopy and includes detailed advice on the solution of structure problems by spectral means and a complete set of practice problems. At the end, several appendices combine the mast useful tables into a reference section. This Second Edition was produced in order to add the chapter on mass spectroscopy. It includes a brief description af the instrumentation and continues with a thorough presentation of charge-to-mass ratios, metastable ion peaks, fission processes and methods for analyzing and using mass spectroscopic data. The authors' approach to the problem of determining the formula of an ion is refreshing, in that it takes the easiest method (exact mass by high-resolution mass spectroscopy) first, then goes into the details of the parent, P + 1 and P + 2 peaks in a way that permits the student to derive for himself the method used far low-resolution spectrometers. There is no long table of masses based on formula, but unless complete, this is best left to a reference volume anyway. Because the mass spectroscopy chapter was added to the end of the previous edition, it is not integrated into the section of practice problems which precedes it. However some practice problems are included in the new chapter. Presumably a Third Edition will correct this situation. The problems and examples go well beyond a simple text in scope, frequently requiring mathematical derivations or long calculations. This, combined with the far(Continued on page A4661
