Solid state physics (Blakemore, J. S.)

chemist with a, readable, authoritative in- troduction to solid state theory. As the title implies, there is a fair degree of em- ... Purdse Univrrsit...
115 downloads 8 Views 483KB Size
book reviews Solid Stale Physics

J . S. B l a k m r c , Florida Atlantic U n veruity, Boea Raton. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 1969. xii f 391 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X 25.5 em. $13.50 (Canada, $14.60). Of all the texts that have come t o this reviewer's attention, this part,icular one is among the most useful for providing the chemist with a, readable, authoritative introduction t o solid state theory. As the title implies, there is a fair degree of em~ h i l s i on s certain topics outside t,hedomain of immediate interest t o the chemist: this includes msterial on phonuwphonon interactions, superconductivity, and excess carrier phenomeoa. Likewise, topics of eoasiderahle interest t o t h e chemist such as phase diagrams, solid stat,e reaebions, and thermodynamics are not discussed. The enumeration of what this hook is not, should not obscure what i t is: uamely, n very readable, concise, and authoritative discussion of thefundament,als. Throoghout, there is an economy of thought and a concentration ou essentisla which will appen1 t , ~readers. There is a n excellent balance between simple mathematical exposition and adequnte discussions which ~ e r m ione t t o get a "feel" for t,he phenomena being described. The hook is qnit,e free from errors, thoogh almost unavoidably there is t h e occasional mispriut. The five chapters are grouped about

A726

/

lournal o f Chemical Education

crystal structures, latt,ice dynamics, electrons states in met,als, electrons states in semiconductors, and dielectric and magnetic properties of solids. The v a h m e is attractively print,ed with a large nrmher of clear diagrams. There itre-numerow problems a t the endof each chapter, as well as an excellent hihlioera~hv ., " t o stimulate further reading. Until the advent of a good text in solid stat,e chemistry, the reviewer can certainly recommend this hook to the attentiou of all chemisls for a first intwd~letionto the general area of solid statephemmene.

.

As ill tho first vohnle, the book is well wganised [reagenbs (A to Z), e r m l s l o Volume 1, additious to suppliers lisl, reactiolr type index, author illdex, a n d subject index] and the formulas clearly drawn. Purchase a f this set:und voltme is s mnst for the induslrial ur scademir library and highly recommended for the individual chemist involved in urganic synthesis. I , ~ l t o uW. HAYNCS ' The Colicye o j Woostrr Woostrr, Ohio

J. M. H o ~ m The Use of Chemical Literature: Information Sources for Research Purdse Univrrsit?, and Development Lafayctt?, Indiana 47907 Reagents for Organic Synthesis. Volume 2 Maru Pieso and i,ouis Pimrr, both of IIal.vsrd University. Wiley-Interscieuce (a division of John Wiley & Sons, Ine.), New Yark, 1969. 558 pp. Pigs. and tables. 16 X 24 cm. $17.50.

The second volume in this exceediugly useful series critically describing the synthetic utility of a mdtitud6 of organic reagents cove1.s t,he literabore from August, 1960 through February, 1969. There are 1320 additional references to 390 reagents discussed in the fil.st volume and 3.50 references to 226 reagents reviewed by the Fiesers fur the first lime. To add t o thc breadth af the coverage 34 new ol.gammetallic reagents are diraussed.

Edited by R. 1 Bottle. 2nd. ed. Archon Books, Butterwarths, London, 1969. (May be ordered from Shoe String Press, Ino., 60 Connolly Parkway, Harnden, Connecticut..) xii 294 pp. Pigs. and tables. 14.5 X 21 em. $10.

+

Bottle and twelve contributors all of whom are from British universities or industrial firms have combined t o produce s very readable book which contains s. gold s searchmine of information an all p h a ~ e of ing the chemical literature. The work has a. distinctly B ~ i t i s hflavor, but with a few exceptions, e.g., the indexes to British Government Ptlblieations, the souvces cited should be readily available t o most English-speaking chemists. (Continued on page A728)