book reviews "standard" early biographies by W. C. Henry (1854), R. A. Smith (18561, H. Lonsdale (1874), H. E. Rascoe (1895), and J. P. Millington (1906). It also represents an advance on the more modern accounts and assessments of Dalton's fundamental contributions to the chemical atomic theory and other subjects by such biographers as E. M. Broekhank (1929 and 1944), F. Greenaway (1966), and E. Patterson (1970). The p u p s = of the present h w k is not so mueh to provide an exhaustive repository of archival information on Dalton's work, but rather to reevaluate his eontributions and genius in the light of the most recent studies based partly upon earlier biographical accounts hut more particularly on a reexamination of Dalton's surviving manuscripts. I t is generally wellknown that mueh of the original material (notebwks, memorabilia, etc.) that Dalton bequeathed to the Manehester Literary and Philosophical Society was almost totally destroyed by homhing and fire during an air raid in 1940. Dr. Thackray has done an excellent job of bringing together relevant s u ~ v i n g Dalton manuscripts from many archives in Great Britain and North America. In addition, he has brought to light the contents of over 70 letters that more than double the epistolary resources previously available. In this short book Dr. Thackray has concentrated only on certain facets of Dalton's life and work. A brief listing of the principal chapter headings will provide the intending purchaser with an impression of the range of topics covered. An "Intmduction" (pp. 1-5) defines the scope of the book: "the following chapters . . treat central aspects of Dalton's social situation and intellectual achievement in greater depth than others have attempted." Chapter 2 (pp. €-26), "John Dalton and the Wider Context," deals with the relationship of science with the Industrial Revolution, the increasing "professionalization" of science and the scientist, the mle of Manchester in the growth of British science, and Dalton's early background and scientific training. Chapter 3 (pp. 2741) covers "Chemical Atomic Theory in History and Historiography," and traces the processes by which Dalton may have been led to conceive and formulate his epoch-making chemical atomic theory. Chapter 4 (pp. 42-60) describes Dalton's Quaker upbringing, his early days in Manehester, and his relationship with the Literary and Philosophical Society in that city. In the very important Chapter 5 (pp. 61-88), "A New System of Chemical Philmphy," the steps leading to the puhlication of Dalton's great book (of the same title as this chapter) -are critically discussed. Original s w i v i n g manuscripts and correspondence of Dalton are analyzed, and same are reprinted verbatim, in Chapters 6 (pp. 89-124) and 7 (pp. 125114). This is, perhaps, one of the most important sections of the present hook. Finally, Chapter 8 (pp. 175-184). a "Bihlio-. graphic Essay," discusses new as well as
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previously known manuscripts, books, and literature references on Dalton. Pages 185-190 comprise a name and subject index. This "Hsrvard Monograph in the History of Science" is well-documented, has been carefully produced, and no egregious factual or typographical enars were found by this reviewer. Dr. Thackray's contribution to Daltonian scholarship is enthusiastically recommended to all who are interested in the history of science, and the b w k should he a worthy addition to any university or personal library. Roy G . Neyille San Carlos, Ca1;fornie
The Chemist's Companlon: A Handbook of Practical Data. Techniques, and References A. J. Gordon, Pfizer, Inc., and R. A. Ford, Montgomery College. John Wiley & Sons, Ine., New York, N.Y., 1913. xii + 537 pp. 28.5 X 22 em. $14.95. This is a remarkable bwk. The word pmctieol in the subtitle justifies the rather cosy main title. The authors have accomplished very well their aim of answering the practical questions of how-to-do-it?, what-is-it?, what-do-I-use-and-when?, and where-do-I-find-it-aI-buy-it? This volume is hy no means a mere handbook. A review of the contents is impossible; an urging to investigate the h w k by more than a mere perusal of the table of contents is most appropriate. The authors' predelictians for the pmblems of the researcher in organic chemistry are apparent. For example, in the section entitled Properties of Molecular Systems, six pages are devoted to "Prototropic Tautomerism": a short introduction defining the phenomenon and calling attention to critical reviews in the literature followed by tahles for earhonyls (% e n d ) , oxime-nitrosos (% mime), nitro-aei-nitros (K,,)and heterocyclic systems, and finally 23 literature references. In similar fashion the 186-page section, Spectmscopy, includes reproductions of infrared spectra of 21 common solvents and many spectra-structure correlation charts as well as extensive tables and a bibliography of spectral data compilations. The section labelled Experimental Techniques lists solvents useful for such operations as extraction or crystallization a]ways with comments reflecting user experience. This tendency to include the "art" as well as the "state of the art" seems to rnthroughout the volume. Lists of suppliers, with addresses, accompany many sections (73 are given under chromatography). In addition, an index includes every supplier mentioned in the book (over 300) with a page reference for the address. An extensive. venl useful index runs from "AB quartet, nmr" to "Z-values." WFK (Continued onpogeA54)
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