ing the reducing atmosphere as the starting p i n t for chemical biogenesis. Cansequently, Dauvillier's alternative may he worth consideration. Both Oparin and Uauvillier consider the many related facets of the problem, from cosmology, chemistry, and biology. Unfortunately, "The Photochemical Origin of Life" compares very unfavorably with Oparin's hook in terms of organination, writing, and PETERA. LEERMAKERS scientific accuracy. Weskyan University The treatment of photochemistry, imM i d d l e l m , Cmneelieul plied by the title, oocupies only about 23 pages, including the question of the origin of optical activity. The author places the The Photochemical Origin of Life first photochemical asymmetric synthesis of molecules "at the edge of some briny A . Dauuillier, Laborstoire de Physique shallow lagoon, surrounded by quartz or Cosmique, Bagnhes-de-Bigorre, France. calcite crystals, a t the foot of some tropical Translated by Scripta Technica, Inc. ocean volcano." Thia, as well as many Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1965. other assertions, will doubtless he chalix l93pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X lenged by others engaged in this specula23.5 cm. $7.50. tive field. More disturbing to the general reader Oparin ("Life, It's Nature, Origin, and will he the numerous scientific errors and Development," Oliver and Boyd, Ltd., poor usage of scientific terms. One reads, Edinburgh, 1961), proposed that the far example, that adenosine triphosphate synthesis of the organic compounds reis a "constituent of ribonueleic acid," quired for the eventual development of "utilizes the unique phenomenon of the life began with hydrocarbons. This view abundant free energy of pentavalent phoshas been reinforced by laboratory experiphorus," and is able t o "give up a phosments demonstrating synthesis of biophorus radical to a glucose molecule." genic compounds from methane, amOrganic compounds (rather than their monia, water, etc., under assumed formation from inorganic compounds) are "natural" conditions. referred to as being endothermic. I n Dauvillier assumes most of the carbon fact,, the reviewer (a biochemist) suggests to have been in the form of carbon dithat readers skip all the sections an the oxide, and proposes routes, many of them characteristics of living matter. I t may photochemical, from carbon dioxide to be that astronomers will be equally organic compounds. There appear to he critical of other sections, such as t,hose in no conclusive scientific reasons for accept-
Ia ( 1 - e - Q ) , and on p. 45, figure (4-2),
the curves in ethanol and cyclohexane are midabled (the dotted line should be ethanol). The other errors are mostly trivial. I n summary, for those of us in the field the book is s. tremendously valuable source of up-ta-date literature; for those teaching the subject, i t is the text.
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whmh i t is asserted that the surface of Venus is covered with frozen oceans, or that the solar system bed its origin in the collision of two stam. This book can a t best be recommended only for those slready familiar with the suhject who are interested m the conflicting point of view.
J. A. BASSHM Universily of California Berkeley The Countess
March Cost. Vanguard Press, New York, 1963. xiii 233 pp. 13.5 X 20.5 cm. $4.50.
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"Life with Father" would he a n excellent subt,it,lefor this unusual novel, which deals with the years that Sarah Thompson spent in Eurape with her famous father, Sir Benjamin Thompson (1753-1814). A native of Msssachusetts, he is better known as Count llumford, a title canferred by the Elector of Bavaria for conspicuous services to that country. Thompwn, a Brit,ish sympathimr and spy, abaw doned his wife and their infant daughter and fled to London, where he soon made his way upward. He returned t o America as colonel of a British regiment, but made no effort to see his family. After t h e war, he entered the service of the Bavarians, reformed their army, and launched programs designed to convert the host of Munich beggars intouseful citizens. Rumford invited Sarah to live with him after her mother died, and in 1796 they met
(Continued on page A660)
BOOK REVIEWS in London where he introduced her to fashionable and snobbish society. During a grave crisis Rumford was called hack to Munich, where Sarah was introduced to his magnificent but. tarnished mode of life. Since Rumford had acquired a goodly number of enemies, he was eased out of Munich with an ambassadorial appointment to London, but the British refused to accept him on technical grounds. He went to Paris, where he eventually married Lavoisier's widow, a mismatch that ended in divorce. Once again he sent for Sarah, But who had returned to America. though she enjoyed the luxury of his home, it was not a happy relationship, Count Rumford died during her absence, under circumstances whose authenticity Sarah refused to accept. The author, a distinguished British novelist, has chosen to present Sarah Thompson's life in the form of a dream. Miss Cost has gone to infinite pains to collect d l information possible an Rumford snd his daughter, and has consulted both published material and many letters, archives, records, ete., to good advantage. Those readers who are not familiar with the life and work of Rumford are advised to read a biography (e.g., Egon Lamen, "An American in Europe") before embarking on the volume here reviewed. The author herself has provided a lengthy bibliography. RALPEE. OESP~R University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
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Counl Rumford of Woburn, MarrachureHr
science are mged to learn about it in this authentic and well-mitten hook. RALPHE. OESPER Un?uemity of Cinernmti Cincinnati, Ohio
Wilfred James Sparrmu, University of Birmineham. Ennland. Thomsn Y. ~ r o w e f ~ o . , ' ~Pork, e w 1965. Figures. 14 X 21 cm. $5.95. The subtitle of this biography reads: The strange career of Sir Benjamin Thompson, Knight of the White Eagle, scientist, inventor, Revolutionary War turncoat, financial wizard, philanthropistreformer, Bavarian general. To this might well have been added: Founder of the Royal Institution, discoverer of Humphry Davy, husband of Lsvoisier's widow. It is not, therefore, surprising that biographers have often chosen to deal with this, in many respects, fictionlike life. In the opinion of this reviewer, this most, recent biography is the best of the lot. The author has treated his subject ahjectively and calmly, praising his a c oomplishments, hut not glassing over his defects and a t times almost despicable personal characteristics. The attractive feature of this account is the skill with which the author (a trained physicist) has analyzed and assessed Rumford's scientific work 9 p.ointing out its importanre but always keepmg in mind that "scientifically, Rumford was mare of an amateur than most men of science in an age of ~matews." Those already acquainted with Rumfard and his dramatic life will welcome this outstanding treatment. Those who do not know this chapter in the history of
Gmelins Handbuch der Anorganirchen Chemie. 8. Auflage, System Nummer 21, Natrium. Lieferung 2, Das Element, Verbindungen mit Warserstoff und Sauerstoff
Edlted by E. H. E. Pietseh and the Gmelin Instit&. Verlag Chemie, GhlBH, Wienheim/Bergstrasse, 1965. xxxv 496 pp. Figs. and tahles. 17.5 X 25.5 cm. $115. This supplement updates and adds to the information on sodium covered in the main volume which wa? puhlished in 1928. The data are complete through 1960with selected references up to 1965. Coverage includes: preparative methods of the metal, special forms and isotopes; chemical reactions of the met.al and t,he ion; and detection and determination of sodium and its isotopes. Physical properties are covered extensively, particularly electrical propertiw such as electrodes and the standard potentials of various species. Numerous sodium eompaunds wit,h oxygen are discussed. Data on the sodium penrenate, Na4Se0., and the newer hydrate structures of NeOH (NaOD) are included. In general, this volume covers all the data on sodium and its properties available from modern techniques and methods.
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