BOOK REVIEWS
perturbation theory, the Hartree and Hartree-Fock approximations, electron spin and the Pauli principle. The hydrogen atom and molecule, and the helium atom are used repeatedly as examples throughout this portion of the book, making it easy for the reader to compare the results of varous approximate methods. Most of the succeeding chapters cover theoretical methods for describing the behavior of electrons in metals: the freeelectron approximation, Bloch functions
and Brillouin zones, and a rudimentary treatment of plasma. oscillations. The book is neither as sophisticated as those of Jones, Peierls, or Mott and Jones nor as nonmathematical as those of Cottrell and Hume-Rothery. However, i t is not likely to prove satisfactory as the primary textbook for a. first course in solid-state physics because of its failure to discuss applications of the theory. Thus, there is no mention of such topics as ferromagnetism or superconductivity. Mareover, although a final chapter is devoted to the implications of the time-dependent Sehradinger equation, there is no discussion of electrical conductivity or other transport phenomena. The hook would appear t o be most suitable as a supple-
mentary text for n course in which 8. work such as that by Kittel or Slater is tho main reference. I t has the virtue of being self-contained owing t o the inclusion of several appendices devoted t,o mathematical techniques, in addition to a set of problems for each chapter. Therefore, aq ambitious student should he able to follow the arguments in the text without additional aid. In fact, if any criticism is to be leveled a t the author, it is t h a t he has done such a smooth job that he has not adequately prepared the serious student for the rough road ahead. His choice of sodium as a model, for example, tends to suppress the de6cieneies i n t h e theory. One suspects that he was motivated by a desire t o bring some sense of satisfaction t o those who do not intend to pursue the subject further. This approach is justifiable on the grounds that Dr. Raimes intends his book t o be a primer on the electron theory of metals. A L ~ N. N GOLAND
U.5. A m y Materials Research Agency. Watwtown Massachusetts
Organic Peroxides: and Reactions
Their Formation
E. G. E. Hawkins, Distillers Co., Ltd., Surrey, Great Britain. D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, 1961. xiv 434 pp. 16 X 25.5 em.
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$12.50.
Thia book provides a very complete and classified bibliography for the synthesis and reactions of the various classes of alkyl peroxides and hydroperoxidea. The description of most journal art,icles is sufficient t o determine their applicability to a particular ares, of research. This is therefore an invaluable reference volume for any investigator in thisgeneral field. The suhject of ~eroxidesis so broad t h a t the author necessarily has had t a exclude or minimize certain topics while emphasiaing others. The kinetics of peroxide reactions and x detailed discussion of their use in polymerization is completely omitted. Acyl peroxides are covered in very brief form. In contrast, roughly three-fourths of the hook is de-. voted t o alkyl peroxides and hydro, peroxides of various types. A useful chap: ter on autoxidation is also lncludcd. The particular topics emphasized have not received very much attention in ather texts and review articles. Therefore this hook complements and does not duplicate the existing literature. The hydroperoxides and peroxides are each classified into sub-groups by stmet u r d differcnccs (e.g., acyclic, cyclic, heterocyclic, etc.). Within each sub; class, synthesis is discussed first, followed by a. description of the reactions. The literary style and presentation of the topies leaves much t o hc desired. Principal patterns of mechanism are nut delineated but instead arc ohscured by an infinite numher of side reactions. The reader is left with the t a k of sifting out the most significant information. The author has made this exhaustive compilation with very little critical commentary. For example, in the chapter
A62 / lournof of Chemical Education
BOOK REVIEWS peroxide procedures are given without any suggestions as to merit which would guide a research manenteringinto anew field. The hook is therefore an invaluable reference source for snecialists in the field but is extremely difficult to read. I t is therefore useless as a. text for either classroom use or for self study. On
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Chromatography
Edited by Erieh Heftmann, Netional Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, National Institute of Health,
Bethesda, Mary1and. Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1961. xxv 753 Figs. and tables. 23.5 cm, 117,50.
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The field of chromatography and electrochromatography has expanded very rapidly in the past fifteen years, and "Chromatography," edited by Erieh HeftRALPHDANNLEEY mann, provides a complete, up-to-date Western Reserve Universitf, reference volume in this field. The book Cleveland. Ohio is written by s. number of scientists from various countries, each man contributing information in his specialized area. In
general it is both authoritative and camplete and should prove t o he a valuable reference, ~ ~~ i ~ i into d ~ two d h parts, and Applieetions ~ of~ Chromatography, the book provides a and descriptive account as well as the practical details and necessary references required for a particular separstion problem. In Part I , Fundanentals of Chromatoxraphy, the various types of chromatography are brought together and discussed under the headings of Adsorption, Partition. Ion Exchance. - , Molecular Sieve. as' and Electroehramstograpby. he theoretical aspects of these various types (Continued on page A64)
Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules
Charles Tanfo~d, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. John Wiley & Sans, Ine., New York, 1961. xiv 710 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $18.
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Tanford's "Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules" is, in this reviewer's opinion, an excellent and worth-while hook. I t s merit lies not only in the contents which i t covers, but more so in the manner in which the material is treated. This is done in an original, stimulating, and logical fashion, leading up from simple principles right into the full moat of the matter with many ramifications for general understanding and research. Especially noteworthy chapters are those on light scattering and on polyelectrolytcs. In view of the high quality of what iis presented, one misses a fuller treatment of many neglected areas, although i t is reeognired that in order to keep the volume within a certain size sacrifices were necessary. Still these ssorifiees w e not too well balanced. For a book leaning so heavily on transport processes the hydrodynamic section is all too brief and incomplete. The chapter on thermodynamics following a rather elaborate one on chain stittisties. does not make anv
lem. Thus, it is impossible for the reader to obtain appreciation of the effect of shear dependence on all transport processes, viscosity in particular. Again, these criticisms do not refer to what the book contains but t o what is omitted. Maybe the book should have been more clearly labeled as the physical chemistry of macromolecules in solutions, the topic i t mostly deals with. The
fore outside the frame of tho remainder of the book. I n conclusion. fmm the m i n t of view of didaetle approach and instrument of toaehing, and advance information, the book can he highly recommended for the areas which it covers.
R. EIRICH FREDERICK Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn Brooklyn, New Y o 4 Volume 40, Number I , Jonuary 1963
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A63
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