c Recent Books
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Science in Action. EDWARER. WEIDLEIN and W n ~ 1 . mA. HAMOR,Mcllon Institute of Industrial Research. McGrawHill Book Co., Inc., New York and London, 1931. xiii 310 pp. 32 Figs. 15 X 23 a.$3.00.
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~h~ authors f, this textare in a to see science function-ding ing in industry. They have had much experience in formulating and developing the program necessary t o transfer newly ascertained facts from the laboratory shop t o the larger field of the world's work. The scientist, especially the chemist, is sometimes quite impatient over the lag of time delaying the introduction into industry of improvements that t o him seem so very obvious. It is, perhaps, necessary for the good of us all that the inertia of industry should curb the impatience of the scientist. Only in crises or great emergencies does the latter seem to get a chance to put some of his seemingly wild ideas into practical use. It is gratifying and perhaps also surprising to the general reader that in the last decade an almost general movement in industly has occurred t o adapt itself t o the changing tides of progress characterized by inventions, discoveries, and the obsolescence of existing processes. The writer recalls visiting a plant some years ago, where the chemist stated that his chief work was first aid t o injured employees; that he never bothered the men in charge of the process so long as the product was satisfactory; and that only in case of accident, did he find his services necessary. Today the same plant has a chemical staff that continually controls the nature of the product during its manufacture. The authors have succeeded not only in sketching the value of scientific research in American industries as they started out to do, hut what is more important, they have shown how scientific
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research enables American industry t o do the many things that amaze and astonish the layman. It is a hook that the young student eager to gain perspective should read, as should also the banker and financier whose caution ofttimes retards un'duly our enjoyment of the products made p o ~ ~ i h lby e the wild dreams of some impractical scientist. The h w k consists of six parts: (1) The Past and Present Conditions of Industrial Research; (2) Science and Human Welfare; (3) Science in the Industries; (4) Science, the Pilot of Technology; (5) Scientific Management and Rationalization; and (6) Industrial Research Methods and Men. From an educational point of view the treatise is excellent in presenting t o the lay reader an extended description of "the general procedures, principal applications, and most valuable results of scientific research, particularly inAmericanindustries." For the business man new glimpses into the future awaitehim. He will see how the traffic lanes of industry have been kept open in the past and he will see wellmarked highways of travel stretching out before him. I n the adjustments arising from the world-wide economic disturbances he will realize that from the research now under way, the coUective thought of many minds, will emerge new Products available for the world's leisure and old products a t lower costs for the world's needs. T o the degree that he shares in such a visualization may he profit thereby. The book lacks the magnetic way of approach used by Slosson and Duncan t o bring readers into the domain of science. It assumes that the world a t large has already become interested in scientific achievement. It has organized and arranged, in an easily followed order, the outstanding facts of the scientific research of the last decade and in so doing,
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i t points out the ways and means for the application of science t o the production of commodities. Finally, the scientist himself is enabled to have a perspective of those things which have interested him in part and to gain a renewed pride and enthusiasm for the day's work. H. K. BENSON
JAN~ARY.
1932
two such apparently unrelated subjects as chlorine and sodium hydroxide. The study of metallic elements begins with iron and is followed by the platinum group, a deviation from the usual topical arrangement which has our hearty approval. The relegation of the chaptets on organic chemistry to the end of the NA~ONA RBSBIRCH I. COUNC~ text is amply justified, and permits the WAS~NCTON D., C. student t o attain sufficient background to appreciate the nature of that field. Elements of General Chemistry.' JOSEPH There is a certain amount of similarity, A. BABOR, Assistant Professor of Chenistry; WILLIAML. ESTABROOKE, ASSO- as is to be expected, between Babor's ciate Professor of Chemistry; and more advanced tent and the present book, ALEXANDER LEIIRKAN, Instructor of with its more detailed discussion of theoChemistry; all of the Callege of the City retical material and the presentation of a of New York. Thomas Y. Crawell Co., greater number of illustrations for the 601 pp. benefit of the beginner. The theoretical New York City, 1931. x sections, although well done, may make 134 Figs. 21.5 X 14 cm. $3.75. This is primarily a textbook for students the text a little too heavy for use in a who have had no previous course in course of limited class time. The conchemistry. An excellent foundation in cept of pH is in our opinion of little value basic principles is offered in the first half t o beginners, as is also the detailed deof the book, and is intended t o fit the scription of methods for the d e t m i n a student either for further study in the tion of molecular weights. The subject matter of the earlier chapsubject or for intelligent and profitable ters contains nothing which we feel should pursuit of a pandemic course. The book be omitted from a course in elementary is in no way designed as a pandemic text; but the author states that the arrange- cbtmistry. I n the second half there are ment permits, a t midyear, the division certain chapters, and more or less fine of classes according t o whether or not print, which may be omitted without they intend t o go further in chemistry. handicapping the student. The mangeThe order of presentation of material ment of the text is such as to permit cerdoes not differ widely from the conven- tain omissions without detracting from tional arrangement of topics. A unique its usefulness. Although the text is the and pleasing feature is the early and ex- joint work of three, the style is very smooth. We do feel, however, that in tensive treatment of atomic structure, with thereafter frequent use of the con- places the direct influence of certain comcepts t o explain chemical behavior. The temporary texts is evident. The exercises a t the end of each chapter author employs both cubical and "ring" are well chosen and should afford a good diagrams t o represent atoms; however, the student's attention is directed t o the review of the contents of the text. The fact that neither diagram is an actual book is adequately illustrated, and expicture of the atom. The use of "plus planatory figures appear where they are of value. We feel that this text is a disand minus valence" in connection with the balancing of axidation-reduction equa- tinct contribution t o its intended field. E. B. K m s m tions is open t o question, as i t may create Y A W umveasrrv an erroneous impression regarding the NBWH ~ v e w CONN. . nature of the linkage in non-polar compounds. A novel feature, but one that Laboratory Manual in Elements of Genseems to be justified, is the grouping of eral Chemistry. JOSEPH A. BABOR,
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