Low-Temperature Techniques
P. Din and A. H. Cockett, both of British Oxygen Research and Development, LM. Intereeience Publishers, 216 pp. Inc., New I-ork, 1960. viii Figs. and tables. 14.5 X 22.5 cm. $6.50.
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This book covers sueh topics as producing and measuring low temperatures, low temperature techniques in the laboratory, properties of materials a t low temperatures, gas separation, and storage, transport, and w e of liquefied gases. Drawings of apparatus which are used to illustrate the subject matter are mostly schematio and are, in general, well done. In following a historical approach to the subject matter, the authors devote too much space to the situation existing prior to IVorld T a r I1 and not enough space to the developments after World War I1 as~ociateduith the appearance of the Collins helium eryostat and the demands for relatively large quantities of liquid hydrogen and other liquefied gases. Mathematical as well as other descriptive detail has been kept to a minimum. As s resolt, the authors have produced a simply writben tent whioh should serve as an introduction to the low temperature field. However, for workers contemplating or doing research a t low temperatures, the insufficiency of detail is s. handicap. For these research workers, there are s number of recent books on low temporature techniques such as R. B. Scott's "Cr.vogenic Engineering" or G. K. White's "ExperimAntal Techniques in Low Temperntme Physics" which are more useful. E . L. PACE 1Vestm Reserue University Clewland. Ohio
Teaching Science Through Conservation
Martha E . Manzer and Paul F . Brandwein, hoth of the Canservxtion Foundation. McCkaiv-Hill Book Co., Inc., 470 pp. New York, 1960. xvii Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. $7.50.
One a keyed to important facets of conservation; the other, to the separate science subjects. There are numerous cross references. The index is well done. An entire chapter is devoted to specific information on materials required for experiments, sources of equipment and supplies, and films. There is a good bibliography of reference sources. As one turns the pages, he may be startled to find that on many, there are no references to conservation. To this reviewer, however, this appears good in the sense that a. sound appraisal of problems of conservation must be based on a clear understanding of processes and interrelationships existing in the natural environment. The authors have attempted to make s. bridge between scientific understandines and coneents of conservation by numerous statements highlighted in bold print. The nstorsl resources needed to support s. dynamic, and technologically-based society are by no means fixed, nor are the problems of their use and management statio. The authors are to he commended for making this principle a theme of their hook and for reoognidng the relationship of science and technology both to the development of, and the solution of conservation problems. A chapter is devoted to science education for the potential scientists and technologists, whose intelleotual capabilities represent a resource upon which the solution of conservation problems depends. This book is recommended to teachers of secondary school science as a vduable sourc eof specific ideas on teaching science. I t also is a good book on the methodology of teaching science. I t does show well how science e m contribute to desirable attitudes toward, and understandings of conservation. Probably, i t will not convert the teaoher who is not conservation minded into one who is, but that is not stated as apurpose.
LLPH E. KEIRSTEAD State Departmat of Education Hartford, Connecticut
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This is a book for teachers of s c i e n c e one of a series devoted to curriculum and methods in education published by McGraw-Hill. The authors accept as the likely pattern for the future the present practice of the schools of teaching about the problems of use and management of natural resources in several different subjects, including science. From this point of view, conservation, which in this book is synonymous with utilizstion and management of natural resources, is a. prevading theme running through much of the total school program. The title of the book reflects this point of view. Well over 95 per cent of the 447 pages are devoted to procedures and activities for teaching science. The topics a n whioh several hundred sperific teaching suggestions are offered range the entire field of secondary school science. The book has several features designed to make it an effective tool far the teacher. For example, there are two tzhles of contents.
Teaching Machines and Programmed Learning
Edited by A. A. Lumdaine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and Robert Glasm, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Department of Audio-Visual Instruction, National Education Association, Washington, D. C., 724 pp. Figs. and tables. 1060. xii 15X 23 cm. $7.50.
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Teaching machines offer a valid new sonrosoh t o tutorial instruction adanted program the student proceeds a t his own pace, is always active in his participation, learns the results of his work as he progresses-and if the program is a good o n e the student knmus all the material when he has finished. This book is the first complete book on the subject and is indeed the best possible introduction t o the subject. I t consists of 47 articles written by most of the important names in the field. Not
only is there a complete historical introduction, but the important original papers are reprinted. The discussion of the different kinds of programs is oomplete and thorough as is the discussion of learning theory and reports on completed experimenta. Of great value are the sober second thoughts and criticisms; problems t o be solved and possible pitfalls are well aired. The various types of machines commercially available are described as well as the ones which may easily he constructed by the teacher. One hundred nine pages of Appendix I are devoted to abstracts of all the articles on the subject printed to date (and even some which have been presented but not published). The abstracts are unusually complete and readable. Appendix I1 is a.28pape bibliography. The book is the best place to start for the reader interested in learning about teaching maohinks. It is indispensable for any one in the field and will certainly be the major source b w k for many years t o come. This book is recommended enthnsiastically and without reservation.
JESSE H. DAY Ohio University Athens Einstein: A Pictorial Biography
William Cahn. The Citadel Press, New York, 1955; first paperback reprint, June 19GO. 128 pp. Illustrations. 18 X 25 cm. 51.25. This is a book of beautiful and interesting pictures about Einstein. Uniortunately, comments acoompany these pictures. And while Einstein's photogenic face and his inspiring life are sufficient to redeem almost any text describing them, there seems t o he no excuse for the gmS8 errors which mar this one, especially in a reprint edition appearing five years after the original. Some of these errors represent only misleading incompleteness, as in the figure on page 75 which is described as showing Einstein, a. daughter, son-in-law, wife and "friends," while these "friends" include another daughter and her husband. A much grosser error appears on pages 4 4 4 5 where a picture purporting to show Einstein's first American press conference in 1921 was actually taken during his later trip in 1930-31. I confirmed this point with the lady shown in the picture who had not set foot in the U.S.A. before that date. lbpecidly shocking is the reproduction on page 27 of the first page of "the original printing of Einstein's famous theory of relativitv" which. in fact. is his work on on p 4 g ~ I%rot\nl:;nmotiwt'n hie11 1 & 9 1 t d I r l 9 d tlw L ~ ~ I IvW ~ l t u n ti.n \ ~ l b i v l >the rhwn. of relativity i* p r i n t 4 on. pagv 891. Certainly one can expect an author t o h a m enough familiarity with his subject or to get competent enough advice to avoid sueh blunders and it should be the duty of a responsible publisher t o see to it that he does. KAROLJ. MYSELS University of Southern Calij8mia Los Angeles Volume 38, Number 5, Moy 1961
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