BOOK REVIEWS -
These volumes are addr~ssed t o rpsearchers who contemplate use of the methods discussed. Little attention has been given t o the less intensive reader (e.g., the graduate student studying for cumulative exams) who seeks an authoritative summary af the highlights, rather than a thorough treatment. A few chapters are exceptions to this statement, and for a few topics (such as nuclear magnetic resonance) abbreviation would not he consistent with fidelity to t h ~ subject. Readers of all types would be served by a two or three pageintroduction, where feasible, covering the salient points. It is honed that articles in future volumes will contain such sections. The books are sturdily constructed and attractively printed, with an abundance of lucid structural formulas. I n considering whether to buy these volumes, one must note that several articles deal with subjects ably presented in other current reviews or books. Notwithstanding, aacquisit,ion is essential for libraries of institutions with a serious interest in organic reseutrch. Purchase by individual orgxnikcrs is also easily justified.
JOSEPH F. BUNNETT Inafitut f a r organische Chemie der Unicersiliil MGncken (mgulady a! Brown Uniuersity, Providence, Rhode Island)
Style Guide for Chemists
mar^ Fieser, both of Harvard University. Reinhold Publishing Corp. New York, N. Y. 1960. vi 116 pp. 16 X 23.5 cm. $2.95. L a i s F. Fieser, and
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"We chemists m e not c n e e m d with creative writing, nor do we aspire lo any real artisby. OUT objectiue i s to make m u technical lomXing elear, understandable, forceful and interesting." (Fieser and Fieser, "Style Guide for Chemists,"p. 51.) The purpose of scientific writing is the communieat,ion to others of ideas and experience. Any feature of such writing not directed to this purpose must be avoided by those who wish to write well. A brief hut very vdluahle guide to effective writing in the chemical field has now been by the Fiesers; the prineipl~s set forth are surely applicable to scientific writing in all fields, and do not differ from those governing effective writing in any field. Good writers are made, not born, and Louis Fieser has taken pains not only in this book but elsewhere to give examples from his own early papers of poor and ineffective writing. He is now universally regarded as one of the most competent writers now practicing in the chemical field, and we can all profit by the experience and knowledge he and his able collaborstor, Mary Fieser, have acquired in the process of becoming good miters. (Catinued on page A44d)
A440
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Journal o f Chemical Education
BOOK REVIEWS The book is in essence a "how to" rather than a "why" book, and the Fiesem are quick to point out that the principles of usage are those set forth by such authorities as H. W. Fowler f "Modern Enelish TJsaee." Oxford Univer;ity Press, 1926, 1958);'~. W. Fowler and F. G. Fowler ("The ICing's English," Oxford, 1926, 1954), W. Strunk, Jr. and E. B. Whit,e ("The Elements of Style," Maemillm, 1959) and ot,hers. To these I would add Sir Earnest Gowers ("Plain Words, Their ABC," Alfred A. Knopf, 1957).
Appropriately, t h e book begins with
a discussion of concise writing, and proceeds then t o a treatment of a number
of grammatical points whieh give much trouble. Word choice is treated in a n important rhapter, and a short but pithy chapter dealing with style, t,he burden of whieh is that we can do nicely without style, is well n.orth the attention of us all. Two chapters not dealing directly with writing, one on pronunciation and one on speaking, are included. The first of these is likely to prove the most controversial part of the book, although tho authors quite clearly have no wish to provoke controversy. Our prejudices as t o pronunciation are formed early and cherished late, and no realist expects much change in those of us whose habits have been formed. The Fiesers recognize this, and hope their recommendations may be of guidance t o those whose prejudices have not yet solidified. The chapter on speaking is brief, hut
presents many practical points taken from the experience of one of the acknadedged master teachers of om time. Editors are perhctps more sensitive than most t o the faults the Fiesers' book is d~signcdto correct. Certainly a n editor's life would be easier, and =,hat is vastly more important, our chemical literature would he clearer, more concise, more effective and more intcresting if those who r r i t e , particularly those younger men just embarking a n productive scientific careers, would "read, ponder and inwardly digest" the Fiesers' fine little hook. MARSHALL GATES L'niversit~ qf Rochester Rochestw. Xew i.ork
Comparative Biochemistry. Volume 1, Sources of Free Energy
Edited by Marcel Flo~kin,~ n i v e r s i t yof LiBge, Belgium, and Howard S. Mason, University of Orogon Medical School, Portlmd, Oregon. Academic Press, Inc., New Yark, 1960. xxv 590 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23 cm. %la.
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This hook is Volume 1 of a four-volume "Comprehensive Treatise" on eomparrttive biochemistry, whieh is being edited by Florkin and Mason t o fill the need, as they say, for a "sound, critical and provocative s u m m a r of present knowledge in the field." Volume 2, "Free Energy and Biological Function" appeared some time ago; the present volume dealswith "Sources of Free Energy." Besides a guide to nomenclature and classification of organisms, and an Introduot,ion by the Editors, Volume 1 ineludes chapters on Thermodynamics of Living Systems by H. Eyring, R. P. Boyce and J. D. Spikes; Comparative Mechanisms for Fatty Acid Oxidation hy P. K. Stumpf and G. A. Barher; Phosphoric Acid Anhydrides and Other Enere-Rich Compounds hy F. X I . Huennekens and H. R. Whitele3-; Oninm Compounds and Their Biological Significance by G. L. Cantoni; Phototropism and Photaixis hy I
