organic matter. Alternatively, hydroponics would be used, with or without regohth material providing the mechanical support for plant roots.

The editors have not removed repetition of the basic information on the lunar environ- ment or resolved the argument outlined above. Symposium participants will be glad to have the book. Others might want it for the technology available for growth cabinets in which plants grow as fast as in an earth- bound field!

M. J. Goss

Genetic Engineering of Crop Plants. Edited by G. W. Lycett and D. Grierson. Pp. 293. Butterworths, Kent. 1990. f65.00.

This work results from a conference held in April 1989. There are 23 chapters in all, covering a wide variety of themes, addres- sing fundamental biological problems as well as applications for crop improvement. For the former theme, there are many chapters covering analysis of regulation of gene ex- pression in an assortment of crops; two chap- ters on plant/microbe interactions in nitrogen fixation; and two on plant tissue culture and genetic transformation. The latter theme in- cludes genetic engineering of crops for in- sect, herbicide, and virus resistance. Another application exploits antisense RNA technology to reduce expression of an en- dogenous gene encoding polygalacturonase; here the desired aim is to slow down tomato fruit ripening to increase storage properties. The book is well, though not lavishly, illus- trated and each chapter is well referenced to provide access to the underpinning litera- ture .

Who will buy it? Such books have a very short ‘shelf-life’; they are rapidly superseded by new data in this highly active research area. Priced at f65 the book is too expensive for the individual purchase but would be a useful addition to a departmental library.

Conrad Lichtenstein

Structure and Dynamics in Biological Systems. Edited by Bo JBnsson. Pp. 221. Cambridge University Press. 1990. m. 00, us $55.00. This volume contains 29 papers presented at the 71st Nobel symposium. A wide range of theoretical and experimental approaches is brought to bear upon the problem of eluci- dating the structure and dynamics of biolo- gical macromolecules.

Several molecular dynamics (MD) studies are reported. Simulations of the protein BPTI (Levitt) and of an ovomucoid (Jorgen- sen et al.) have used explicit water mole- cules. Brooks describes an MD structure for the HIV gp-41 protein among others. Furth- er MD studies relate to interfacial water at macromolecules (Jonnson et al.) and at pla- nar interfaces (Rossky et al.). Water poten- tials (Finney) and water behaviour near charged surfaces (Patey et af.) are discussed. Applications to proteins and their complexes include Raman, NMR, neutron scattering,

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and x-ray studies of dynamics. Further pro- tein applications relate to finding stable con- formations, conformational relaxation, hierarchical multiple protein substates, elec- trostatic properties of solvated proteins, and interpreting protein folding and binding. Two papers discuss fast multiple and finite difference Poisson-Boltzmann models for electrostatic interactions respectively. Novel non-empirical potentials are presented by Wallqvist and co-workers. Quantum effects are discussed for ferrocytochrome c and the aqueous ferrous-ferric system.

This volume provides a concise account of the state of the art in many areas of this important subject area and is recommended. The text is typeset but no subject index is provided.

M. J. Forster

Soils and Micromorphology in Archaeology. By Marie Agnes Courty, Paul Goldberg and Richard Macphail. Cambridge University Press. 1990. f40.00, US $65.00.

Thin sections of soils can be prepared by impregnating an undisturbed sample of soil with resin which is allowed to harden. The sample is then cut, mounted, and ground to produce a slide for microscopic examination, similar to a rock slide. Detailed observation of thin sections can aid in the elucidation of successive events in the historical develop- ment of a given soil and of the pedological processes that have been operative, such as the translocation of clays or humus, or the deposition of iron compounds. The authors of this book describe the applications of these techniques to the study of soils in archaeological contexts. The results of tradi- tional bulk analysis of soils from archaeqlo- gical sites are often difficult, or even impossi- ble, to interpret because of the intimate combination in such soils of mineral and organic material of natural origin with bone, ash, vegetable and mineral matter of anthro- pogenic origin. The study of thin sections of these soils can provide evidence, obtainable by no other method, for the ways in which archaeological materials have been incorpo-, rated, and for the subsequent action of soil- forming and other processes which have pro- duced the present soil.

The book deals briefly with basic concepts in soil science and current methods of soil analysis. The range of microscopic techni- ques available is described, with particular emphasis on thin sections and their inter- pretation. The core of the book deals with features observed in thin section and their interpretation in terms of geological, pedolo- gical, and anthropogenic features and pro- cesses. Case studies range in time and place from Palaeolithic sites in France and Israel to the dark-earth deposits of post-Roman sites in London. The necessity for studying soils in the field as well as under the microscope, and the development of experimental methods to reproduce features seen at all scales in soils is emphasised. This is a valuable manual dis- cussing results of the micromorphological

study of soils in an archaeological context. It should make the archaeologist aware of the potential of such studies, and should con- vince the pedologist of the value of archaeological material in providing a chro- nology for soil development.

B. Proudfoot

An Introduction to the Historiography of Science. By Helge Kragh. Pp. 235. Cambridge University Press. 1990. Paperback f9.95, US $140.95.

This is a well-constructed book which could have been dry-as-dust and isdefinitely not. It deserves to be widely used, not only as an introduction for entrants to the field but also as a corrective for those who have allowed themselves to become too specialized. It is concerned with method, not with the subst- ance of historical events or development, although there is extensive reference to hard fact. The science is mainly that of the ‘mod- ern’ period, after 1500, and the social and institutional aspects of science are touched on only incidentally. The more rarefied phi- losophy of the history of science is left to others. Kragh helpfully insists on reminding the reader that his studies are part of history at large, before surveying such topics as objectivity, ideology, and myths in history of science, evaluation of source materials, ex- perimental history of science, and the biog- raphical approach. The value of scientists’ own accounts and assessments of their work is well analysed. The chaperon the anachro- nical and diachronical approaches is particu- larly enlightening. The notes and bibhogra- phy are full and an object lesson in effective- ness.

F. Greenaway

Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, Vol. 35. Pp. 431. The Royal Society, London. 7990. f46.00 (UK) f52.00 (overseas).

In some respects the Royal Society is too bound by tradition, but it is much to be hoped that these annual volumes will be continued indefinitely. Begun as Obituary Notices (1932-54) they provide authoritative and comprehensive reviews of the lives of many of the leading British scientists of this century. They are also of international signi- ficance, for they include not only the lives of the minority of Foreign Members (four in this volume) but British scientists have al- ways had close associations with overseas colleagues working in the same fields. Each memoir, in this volume averaging 22 pages, is accompanied by a photograph of the sub- ject and a complete bibliography of publica- tions. The volume concludes with a useful name index for volumes 27-35 (1981-90).

Once again, one cannot help being im- pressed by the remarkable longevity of Fel- lows. The 19 subjects include no less than four nonagenarians and seven octogenarians. But for the untimely death of P. F. Baker at the age of 47, the average age would have

been over 80: in fact, it is 79.8. A consequ- ence of great age is that few contemporaries survive to give first-hand recollections. To offset this, the society wisely asks all its Fellows to leave some written aide- mPmoire to be stored until the day of need. Even so, the task of the biographer is onerous and - with attention naturally focused on the sub- jects themselves - they perhaps tend to get less credit than they deserve. In this volume, all entries reach the high standard we have come to expect, but F. J. Weinberg’s tribute to A. R. J. P. Ubbelohde is outstanding. The latter’s remarkable range of talents within and without the field of science is brilliantly displayed.

School education often, but not always, exerts a strong influence on subsequent careers. It is interesting that three of the subjects - Chibnall, Grace, and Ubbelohde - were all at different time pupils at St Paul’s School in London.

Trevor I. Williams

ICL. A Business and Technical History. The Official History of Britains Leading information Systems Company. By Martin Campbell-Kelly. Pp. 409. Clarendon Press, Oxford. 7989. f30.00.

Decades of ‘too little and too late’ seems to sum up the history of ICL. Those entrusted to run the company, therefore, stand vulner- able to some ‘heavy-duty’ criticism. This official history is not, however, the place to find it, for it avoids the hard issues. Take but one example, software lock-in. From the beginning of the industry this key fact has driven product and pricing decisions. Are we to believe that ICL did not exploit the fact that once a customer invested in specific application software, his choice for further equipment was limited to just ICL?

Issues like software lock-in are difficult for an official history to address candidly. Why? Well, because if ICL did not exploit its power over its customers, that would not only explain its consistently low profits, but also makes its managers look particularly inept. Alternatively, if Campbell-Kelly and ICL admit that ICL uses such techniques - that its pricing has consistently discriminated against its largest, most valuable and locked- in customers - then what it gains in appear- ing more professional in its management it loses in alienating those very exploited users. Such an admission might encourage them to avoid such lock-in, something that is clearly not in ICL’s current commercial self-interest. Thus. this official history just avoids the issue. And software lock-in is not the only such troublesome issue avoided; nowhere

are mentioned strategies like interface man- ipulations, packaging strategies, or migration control that are rampant in the industry and increase computer-firm profits by exploiting their customers.

Understanding the history of ICL requires a clear statement of what, in each period, the customer required from a successful sup- plier, why each was important, and where ICL fell short. Instead of such analysis, the book offers lots of historical details; particu- larly on the personalities involved in the innumerable re-organizations and mergers (something IBM and DEC, two successful computer firms, avoided). The fear is that such incomplete accounts mis-inform the citizenry as to what are the real public policy choices. Government intervention in the fu- ture will be more successful only when it is based on a more profound understanding than this of how the game is played.

R. T. Delamarter

As Much As We Could Do. By Rivka Ashbel. Magnes Press, Hebrew University, Jerusalem. 1989. Pp. 308. US $15.00.

This book provides a rare opportunity to learn of the remarkable achievements of one country’s dedicated professional scientists and their significant contributions to winning the Second World War. It tells of their lives and ambitions and their subsequent roles in directing the medical and biological research that followed upon the experiences of the war. This account, written by an intimate participant of those years, describes how the Allied war effort was aided by the young and striving Hebrew University and by the doc- tors and scientists then of Palestine. Mainly through political expediencies of the British Mandate the scientific efforts of these men and women has never been placed on official record so this history, with its many perso- nally related interviews, recounts a story of excitement and frustration, and of wide rang- ing innovations and discoveries that makes for compulsive reading.

Methods devised for countering typhus, dysentery, leishmaniasis, and the number- one enemy malaria - endemic to the Middle East and much of South East Asia - are described in fascinating detail. Portrayed is the important role of the Jewish physicians in the Allied Armies and Medical Corps during the desert campaigns of North Africa, with the adored Wingate in Ethiopia and in the jungles of Burma.

The book is dedicated to the Hebrew University on its 60th birthday. Every reader

will recognise famous names and scientific achievements from those years. All will sure- ly learn something new in the ways of science from Rivka Ashbel’s perceptive presenta- tion.

Daphne J. Osborne

The Origins of our Universe. By Ma/co/m S. Longair. Pp. 136. Cambridge University Press. 1990. Hardbackf20.00; paperback f7.95.

After the Royal Institution was founded in 1799 by Count Rumford it soon established itself not only as a centre for scientific edu- cation and research but also for interpreting the progress of science to the general public. This was achieved by lectures, with skilfully executed experimental demonstrations, ini- tially by Thomas Gamett and later by his suc- cessor, Humphrey Davy. The latter was able to attract large and fashionable audiences num- bering up to a thousand people. The Royal Institution was not only a major scientific centre but an important part of the London social scene. Davy was followed by Faraday, who in 1826 introduced the still popular Friday Evening Discourses. Later, helintro- duced another comparable activity - the Christmas Lectures for Young People. These still provide a unique opportunity for the coming generation of scientists and engineers to learn the highlights of modem science from practising scientists of great distinction. Today, these lectures go out to an audience vastly larger than can be accommodated in the historic lecture room of the Royal Institu- tion itself, for they are regularly televised.

This year’s Lecturer is Professor Malcolm Longair, Jacksonian Professor of Natural Philosophy at Cambridge. He has chosen a grand theme, The Origin of our Universe. To ensure even wider dissemination, the sub- stance of the five lectures has also been pub- lished as a well illustrated book. This takes us in stages from the overall design of the Uni- verse, through the birth of stars and the cosmic cycle, quasars, galaxies, and - finally - the origin of the Universe. This is a brilliant presentation of a complex theme: Professor Longair fully lives up to the high standards set by his distinguished predecessors.

Although written primarily for young people many of mature age will find this book fascinating. Its publication is a fitting start to an important year for the Royal Institution, for in 1991 it will be celebrating the bicen- tenary of Faraday’s birth.

Trevor I. Williams

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