BOOKS
1
Rare-Earth Chemistry Chemistry of the Rare-Earth Ele- ments. Ν. Ε. TOPP (National Chemical Laboratory, Middlesex, England), xi + 164 pages. Amer- ican Elsevier Publishing Co., Inc., 52 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. 1965. $10. Reviewed by Dr. Larry C. Thompson. Dr. Thompson is associate professor of chemistry at the University of Minne- sota, Duluth. The publisher of this book claims that it "comprises the most up-to-date sys- tematic coverage of this important group of elements." In view of the high price of the book (6 cents per page, including the index) one would hope that the specialist in the chemis- try of the rare earths would find this statement to be justified. This group, however, will find little, if anything, here that is not currently available to it in other recent books (e.g., Eyr- ing: "Progress in the Science and Technology of the Rare Earths. Vol. 1."—available at 3 λ / 2 cents per page of textual material and which is much more comprehensive). The nonspecialist will find very brief outlines of some of the major topics of rare-earth chemistry to the beginning of 1964. The generally sketchy discussions and, in many places, the mere encyclopedic state- ments will, however, make the book quite difficult to read. The material covered is generally up to date and is reasonably well documented, although some sections (two which were noted in particular by the reviewer are the one dealing with complex ions, which consists of less than two pages, and the one concerning the use of EDTA in the volumetric determination of the rare earths, which contains only one reference, and that to a paper published in 1955) are so short as to be quite misleading with respect to the current state of our knowledge of these topics. From a more fundamental stand- point, however, it is disappointing that although a very large amount of factual information is included, there is so little correlation with modern theories. This same criticism has been made in the past of other books on the chemistry of the rare earths, but our knowledge is now at such a state that books of this kind should be more than mere collections of experi- mental facts with only occasional at- tempts at systematizing and explain- ing them. In spite of these criticisms the book should find limited use as an introduc- tion to some areas of rare earth chem- istry. It will, however, be necessary to consult more detailed reference works in order to obtain a clearer picture of the potentialities and limi- tations in these areas. BRIEFS Industrial Research News is the title of a new publication of United Nations Centre for Industrial Development. The illustrated periodical contains ar- ticles on the activities of the UN in industrial development; on industrial research institutes in various coun- tries; a calendar of meetings; and other material useful in governments, industiy, and other interested institu- tions. The periodical will be issued biannually. Price is $1.50 per issue from United Nations, Sales Section, New York, N.Y., or from bookstores and distributors throughout the world. Russian chemists studying English will find a booklet, "Selected Passages on Physical Chemistry in English," useful as a refresher course in physical chemistry and as an English language study aid. The 13 refresher topics are covered in passages by contemporary American and British authors such as Pauling, Glasstone, Slater, and others. Explanatory footnotes clarify numer- ous Russian idioms and a glossary helps place Russian terms in context. The 103-page booklet was compiled by Marsha P. Mitskevich and Zhanna P. Plechko and is available from Vic- tor Kamkin, Inc., 1410 Columbia Rd., N.W., Washington, D.C., for 25 cents. Professional Services Directory of the American Translators Association has been published by ATA, P.O. Box 489, Madison Sq. Sta., New York, N.Y. 10010, for $5.00. The directory con- tains detailed information on 239 members of ATA who cover a total of 30 languages, ranging from Afrikaans to Yiddish, and who are located in 28 states, the District of Columbia, and 11 foreign countries. All branches of the translating and interpreting field are covered. The directory includes detailed subject, language, and geo- graphical indexes. Selective Oxidation Processes is the title of No. 51 in Advances in Chem- istry Series. The 177-page book pre- sents revised or expanded versions of papers given at a symposium of the ACS Division of Petroleum Chemistry at the 148th National Meeting of the Society in Chicago, September 1964. The 10 chapters represent the work of 24 authors. Symposium chairman was Ellis K. Fields of Amoco Chemi- cals. Robert F. Gould of ACS Publi- cations is editor of the series. The book is available from American Chemical Society, Special Issues Sales, 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. NEW BOOKS Reactivity of Solids. G.-M. SCHWAB, edi- tor, χ -f 694 pages. American Else- vier Publishing Co., Inc., 52 Vander- bilt Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. 1965. $28.50. Proceedings of 5th International Sym- posium on the Reactivity of Solids, Mun- ich, August 1964. Science in Canada. J. E. BABBITT, edi- tor, χ + 198 pages. University of Toronto Press, Toronto 5, Ont. 1965. $5.95. Selections from the speeches of Dr. E. W. R. Steacie. Science in the Sixties. DAVID L. ARM, editor, viii -J- 206 pages. Office of Publications, University of New Mex- ico, Albuquerque, N.M. 87106. 1965. $4.50. The 10th Anniversary AFOSR Scientific Seminar, June 1965. Solutions, Minerals, and Equilibria. ROBERT M. GARRELS, CHARLES L. CHRIST, xiii -f- 450 pages. Harper & Row, Inc., 49 East 33rd St., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1965. $14.25. Thorough revision and extensive rewrite of Dr. Garrels' "Mineral Equilibria." Space Charge Conduction in Solids. R. H. TREDGOLD. viii -j- 143 pages. American Elsevier Publishing Co., Inc., 52 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. 1966. $10. Written primarily for physicists and engi- neers, but techniques discussed can be applied in a number of other disciplines. Standards and Specifications: Informa- tion Sources. ERASMUS T. STRUGLIA. 187 pages. Gale Research Co., 2200 Book Tower, Detroit, Mich. 48226. 1965. $8.75. A guide to literature and to public and private agencies concerned with techno- logical uniformities. 60 C&EN FEB. 28, 1966 BOOKS
Transcript of BOOKS
Rare-Earth Chemistry Chemistry of the Rare-Earth Ele
ments. Ν. Ε. T O P P (National Chemical Laboratory, Middlesex, England), xi + 164 pages. American Elsevier Publishing Co., Inc., 52 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. 1965. $10. Reviewed by Dr. Larry C. Thompson.
Dr. Thompson is associate professor of chemistry at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
The publisher of this book claims that it "comprises the most up-to-date systematic coverage of this important group of elements." In view of the high price of the book (6 cents per page, including the index) one would hope that the specialist in the chemistry of the rare earths would find this statement to be justified. This group, however, will find little, if anything, here that is not currently available to it in other recent books (e.g., Eyr-ing: "Progress in the Science and Technology of the Rare Earths. Vol. 1."—available at 3λ/2 cents per page of textual material and which is much more comprehensive).
The nonspecialist will find very brief outlines of some of the major topics of rare-earth chemistry to the beginning of 1964. The generally sketchy discussions and, in many places, the mere encyclopedic statements will, however, make the book quite difficult to read. The material covered is generally up to date and is reasonably well documented, although some sections (two which were noted in particular by the reviewer are the one dealing with complex ions, which consists of less than two pages, and the one concerning the use of EDTA in the volumetric determination of the rare earths, which contains only one reference, and that to a paper published in 1955) are so short as to be quite misleading with respect to the current state of our knowledge of these topics.
From a more fundamental standpoint, however, it is disappointing that although a very large amount of factual information is included, there is so little correlation with modern theories. This same criticism has been made in the past of other books on the chemistry of the rare earths,
but our knowledge is now at such a state that books of this kind should be more than mere collections of experimental facts with only occasional attempts at systematizing and explaining them.
In spite of these criticisms the book should find limited use as an introduction to some areas of rare earth chemistry. It will, however, be necessary to consult more detailed reference works in order to obtain a clearer picture of the potentialities and limitations in these areas.
BRIEFS
Industrial Research News is the title of a new publication of United Nations Centre for Industrial Development. The illustrated periodical contains articles on the activities of the UN in industrial development; on industrial research institutes in various countries; a calendar of meetings; and other material useful in governments, industiy, and other interested institutions. The periodical will be issued biannually. Price is $1.50 per issue from United Nations, Sales Section, New York, N.Y., or from bookstores and distributors throughout the world.
Russian chemists studying English will find a booklet, "Selected Passages on Physical Chemistry in English," useful as a refresher course in physical chemistry and as an English language study aid. The 13 refresher topics are covered in passages by contemporary American and British authors such as Pauling, Glasstone, Slater, and others. Explanatory footnotes clarify numerous Russian idioms and a glossary helps place Russian terms in context. The 103-page booklet was compiled by Marsha P. Mitskevich and Zhanna P. Plechko and is available from Victor Kamkin, Inc., 1410 Columbia Rd., N.W., Washington, D.C., for 25 cents.
Professional Services Directory of the American Translators Association has been published by ATA, P.O. Box 489, Madison Sq. Sta., New York, N.Y. 10010, for $5.00. The directory contains detailed information on 239 members of ATA who cover a total of
30 languages, ranging from Afrikaans to Yiddish, and who are located in 28 states, the District of Columbia, and 11 foreign countries. All branches of the translating and interpreting field are covered. The directory includes detailed subject, language, and geographical indexes.
Selective Oxidation Processes is the title of No. 51 in Advances in Chemistry Series. The 177-page book presents revised or expanded versions of papers given at a symposium of the ACS Division of Petroleum Chemistry at the 148th National Meeting of the Society in Chicago, September 1964. The 10 chapters represent the work of 24 authors. Symposium chairman was Ellis K. Fields of Amoco Chemicals. Robert F. Gould of ACS Publications is editor of the series. The book is available from American Chemical Society, Special Issues Sales, 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.
NEW BOOKS
Reactivity of Solids. G.-M. SCHWAB, editor, χ -f 694 pages. American Elsevier Publishing Co., Inc., 52 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. 1965. $28.50.
Proceedings of 5th International Symposium on the Reactivity of Solids, Munich, August 1964. Science in Canada. J. E. BABBITT, edi
tor, χ + 198 pages. University of Toronto Press, Toronto 5, Ont. 1965. $5.95.
Selections from the speeches of Dr. E. W. R. Steacie. Science in the Sixties. DAVID L. ARM,
editor, viii -J- 206 pages. Office of Publications, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M. 87106. 1965. $4.50.
The 10th Anniversary AFOSR Scientific Seminar, June 1965. Solutions, Minerals, and Equilibria.
ROBERT M. GARRELS, CHARLES L. CHRIST, xiii -f- 450 pages. Harper & Row, Inc., 49 East 33rd St., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1965. $14.25.
Thorough revision and extensive rewrite of Dr. Garrels' "Mineral Equilibria." Space Charge Conduction in Solids. R.
H. TREDGOLD. viii -j- 143 pages. American Elsevier Publishing Co., Inc., 52 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. 1966. $10.
Written primarily for physicists and engineers, but techniques discussed can be applied in a number of other disciplines. Standards and Specifications: Informa
tion Sources. ERASMUS T. STRUGLIA. 187 pages. Gale Research Co., 2200 Book Tower, Detroit, Mich. 48226. 1965. $8.75.
A guide to literature and to public and private agencies concerned with technological uniformities.
60 C&EN FEB. 28, 1966
B O O K S
