Torbern Bergman: A Man before His Time J. A. Schufle. Coronado Press, Lawrence. KS. 1985. ix 547 pp. Figs., tables, and illustrations. 13.5 X 21 cm. 535.00.
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Schufle's first publication on Torbern Bergman (1735-1784) appeared more than two decades ago (Chymia 1967, 12, 58). Since then, be has devoted a considerable proportion of his researchon the history and philosophy of science to a study of this multifaceted and versatile eiehteenth-centurv Swdirh scirnrirt whme nork has been unduly ~teylccwd nu^ only hecause it was wurhed in wrmsof thexwn to besuperaeded phlogiston theory but also because i t was written largely in Swedish and Latin, two languages not ususlly familiar t o the average chemist or historian. In order t o he able t o show the English-speaking world Bergman's extraordinary accomplishments, Schufle taught himself Swedish and Latin. His translation from the Latin of Bergman's "Disquisitio de Attraetionibus Eledivis" appeared as "Bergman's Dissertation on Elective Attractions" (Johnson Reprint Corp.: New York, 1968), and his translation from the Spanish of Bernardo J. Caycedo's "D'Elhuyar y Sigh XVIII Neogranadino" appeared as "The Life and Times of Juan Jose D'Elhuyar" (Coronado Press: Lawrence, KS, 1981) (D'Elhnyar studied with Bergman in 1782; see Kauffman, G. B., J. Chem. Edue. 1982.59, A402). Schufle spent 1977 as Visiting Professor in Uppsala, the site of Bergman's activity, where he eaamined primary sources unavailable elsewhere. The result is this first book-leneth bioma" phv in any language trf Bergman, which has apprared on the 250th annivrrsary of his birth. Rather than singling out one or two aspects of Bergman's numerous contributions to science, in this masterful study Schufle bas described Bergman's life in all its dimensions, including his work in chemistry, geology, crystallography, physics, biology, and philosophy. In chemistry alone, Bergman is considered the father of quantitative analysis, physicalcbemistry, modern chemical nomenclature, and t h e concepts of equivalent weights and the electromotive series. He discovered or made major contributions to the discovery of a t least seven chemical elements-platinum, oxygen, molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, and barium. He organized all of chemistry into his single Table of Elective Attractions, one of the last great contributions of the phlogiston theory. Although historians of science have often stated that his theory held up the progress of science, Schufle argues persuasively for the value of even faulty theories in directing the course of research. He also demonstrates Bergman's contribution to our modern view of science in Bergman's insistence that "experiment is Ariadne's Thread" of knowledge, an idea that contradicted the view of his contemporary, the philosopher Immanuel Kant, but adumbrated Sir Karl Popper's twentieth-century ~~
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Journal of Chemical Education
view that the essence of science lies in criticism based on experiment. Schufle's Latest book is a massive but readable work of scholarship, which makes full use of letters, lectures, and other documents. Because it is reproduced directly from a single-spaced, smaller-than-elite typescript (14 characters per horizontal line), averaging about 500 words per page, it is deceptively much longer than its size and thickness imply, making it a real bargain. Unfortunately, the author's word processor does not include diacritical marks, the lack of which is particularly serious in a language such as Swedish where, for example, a, 4 and a and o and 6 are considered different letters of the alphabet. Although scholarly and authoritatively written, the book bas a personal touch; it describes the evolution of Schufle's study, his adventures in Sweden, and even occasionally ineludes lively imaginary dialogue. Its 22 chapters, 4 appendices ["D'Elhuyar's Notes of Bergman's Lectures" (53 pp), "Bergman's 'Autobiography'" (16 pp), "List of Bergman's Students" (2 pp), and "Table of Contents for 'Scheffer's Lectures' " (2 pp)], and a detailed 24-page index depict Bergman as "a universal scientist, who could have made his way to the top in anv one of half a dozen fields of science and phhsophg. hut whu happened to chome chemistry for his greatest efforts"-truly a man ahead of his time.
George 6. Kauffman California State University, Fresno Fresno. CA 93740
Cellulose: Structure, Modification and Hvdrolvsis . . Raymond A. Young and Roger M. Rowell. Ed~tors.Wiley. New York, NY. 1986. xix + 379 OD. Fias. and holes. 16.5 X 24 cm. Coal Science: An Introduction to Chemistry, Technology, and Utilization Rita K. Hessley, John W. Reasoner, and John T. Riley, Wiley, New York. NY. 1986, x 269 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X 24 cm.
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$35.00.
This book provides a hasic understanding of how coal is formed-its structure and chemical properties. I t is claimed that an advanced hackground in organic chemistry or geology is not required in order to benefit from the hook because it explains important geological and chemical concepts in simple terms. The principles of coal formation are introduced in the first section. The practical aspeets of conversion and utilization of this essential fossil fuel are built upon this foundation.
Data for Biochemical Research,Thlrd Edition Rex M. C. Dawson, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 1986. xii 580 pp. Figs. and tables. 20 X 28 cm. $59.00.
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This volume is designed to supply research workers in hioehemistry and related fields with factual information about the compounds, reagents, and techniques they use most frequently in the laboratory. In this third edition anattempt has been made to improve the presentation of data; the range of material has been widened to cover newly developing aspects of the subject. Much bas been deleted from earlier editions to be replaced by new material of current imnortance t o biochemistrv and molecular bioloev. Functional .. erouoine .. of eomoounds ha.; heen empharned rg, that users con see uhat i5 avaiialdt a i well as find indrvidual compounds.
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Scientific Programming with Macintosh Pascal Richard E. CrandaN and Marianne M. Colgrove, Wiley, New York, NY, 1986, vii 279 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X 25 cm.
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518.95.
This book is intended for Macintosh users who are interested in using their machines to produce scientific results, i.e., not only calculations but also graphics, sound, and general inputloutput. To this end the book includes extensive example program and exercises t o cover what is perceived to be the most important basic aspeets of scientific programming. Where possible, graphics and animation techniques-certainly Macintosh spicialties-are incorporated to convey scientific principles.
Air: Composition and Chemistry Peter Brimblecombe, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 1986. viii 224 pp. Figs. and tables. 18 X 24 cm. $39.50 (HB)/$14.95 (PB).Cambridge Environmental Series.
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This hook is about the atmosphere and man's influence on it. The early chapters discuss the geological, biological, and maritime sources of trace gases. These are followed by chapters on the chemistry of atmospheric gases, suspended particles, and rainfall. A f t e r d e a l i n g w i t h t h e n a t u r a l atmosphere the book examines sources of air pollution and its effects. The final chapters are concerned with the chemistry and pollution of the upper atmosphere and the composition and evolution of the atmosphere of the planets of the solar system.
Chemometrlcs Muhammad A. Sharaf, Deborah L. Illman, and Bruce R. Kowalski. Wiley, New York. NY, 1986. xi 332 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $49.95. Volume 82 in Chemical Analysis: A Series of Monographs on Analyt cal Chemistry and Its Applications.
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