tions, and Section 9.5, which deals, under the title “Nature, Multiplicity, and Properties of Excited States in Photochemical Reactions of Organic Molecules”, mainly with the theory of the excitation and deactivation of electrons; it would also have been preferable to bring together the parts on elementary analysis (Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 14.4). In general, attention should be drawn to the clarity of the description, the often very pointed indication of the possibili- ties and limitations of the methods, and the extensive list of references to monographs and relevant publications. These make the book very valuable as a source of information. However, it is also natural, simply because of the diversity of the methods discussed and of the aspects involved, that the extent and nature of the descriptions will vary from section to section, so that the user cannot expect to obtain the same kind of information from each contribution. A number of articles, particularly those on separation methods, methods of chemical analysis, trace analyses, and the analysis of special classes of substances, provide instructions for practical work, either directly or indirectly t.iu literature references; in this respect, a comprehensiveness such as one might expect of a lexicon is found e . g . for the analysis of pesticides ( 1 1.1). Extensive tables are also given in many of the descriptions of physical methods to demonstrate their usefulness as aids, and special mention should be made of the description of IR spectroscopy (5.2), which is quite adequate for routine analyses. As far as other methods are concerned, the informa- tion for the user consists of a more or less comprehensive description of their principles, the principles of the equipment and/or measuring technique, and (usually with the aid of examples) the possible applications. Though such a compilation of methods will undoubtedly be used mainly as a reference work for special problems, it is nevertheless gratifying that an attempt is made in the first volume of the “Methodicum Chimicum” to include even subsi- diary aspects of analysis. This is outstandingly achieved in the chapters “Principles for the Assessment of Analytical Methods” (1) and “Aspects of the Choice of Suitable Separation Methods”(2.12); it is a pity that the similarly intended sections on “Use of Combined Instrumental Methods” (14.1) and “Trends in the Development of Instrumental Analysis” (14.2) are too short in comparison with these. The richness of content of the volume and the variety of aspects discussed will guarantee it the wide range of users that it is intended to serve; though it is expensive, it will certainly be valuable in the handling of various problems.

Giinrer Kresze [NB 186 IE]

Mechanism-An Introduction to the Study of Organic Reac- tions. Oxford Chemistry Series. By R. A . Jackson. Clarendon Press, Oxford 1972, 1st ed., xiii, 136 pp., numerous figures, bound f 1.10.

How can one determine, and in the ideal case prove, the mechanism of a reaction? The present book attempts to deal, a t the second-year undergraduate level, with the criteria that are necessary for a study of reaction mechanisms: analysis of the reaction products, kinetic studies. reactive intermediates, stereochemical studies, “other arguments” (Hammett equation, solvent effects, Hammond postulate). Each chapter ends with a series ofquestions, and hints on the solution of the problems are given, together with the answers, at the end of the book. A short bibliography and the brief subject index complete the book. The problems are presented very clearly and skillfully with the aid of interesting examples. Anyone who has mastered the subject will enjoy reading the book. The student who is new to the material will sometimes have to consult a textbook

as he works through the book, since some prior knowledge is presumed even with regard to the subject matter. The “Con- clusions” at the end of each chapter provide the student with an additional opportunity to check that he has understood the essentials. On the negative side, whereas there are only a few printing errors, the examples of cycloadditions in the chapter on stereo- chemistry are not very good, and the Woodward-Hoffmann rules should not be excluded at this level. In a new edition of the book, the literature references should always appear with the examples themselves in the individual chapters. Some of the reviews cited are too advanced for the readers at whom the book is aimed; lighter alternatives are available in these cases. On the whole this book can be recommended to interested students preparing for final examinations. The price is also within the reach ofstudents-agood example to some German publishers producing literature for students.

Jiirgen Sauer [NB 190 IE]

Laser-Grundlagen und Anwendungen (Laser Principles and A p plications). By H . Weber and G. Hrrziger. Physik-Verlag, Weinheim 1972. 1st ed., xi, 252 pp., 185 figures, 26 tables, bound DM 78.--.

The growing importance of laser applications in research and industrial production justifies a general account of the proper- ties of laser light sources for readers with no prior knowledge of quantum mechanics. The book surprises the reader by its unconventional presentation and illustration, which enable one to take in even complicated laser effects at a glance. This presentation is no doubt excellently suited to the rapid instruction of the type of reader for whom the book is primarily intended, i. e. technologists and engineers. However, the specia- list is more likely to be irritated by the many inconsistencies (which can surely be weeded out from the next edition) than to find pleasure in the unusual approach to quantum phenome- na with the aid of analogy models. Starting with a relatively broadly conceived introductory chap- ter on the spectral properties of classical radiation sources and optical resonators, the book deals with the following topics: laser oscillators, short light pulses, nonlinear optics, laser applications, and special optical elements of laser physics. Numerous comparisons from mechanics, hydromechanics, and electrotechnology aregiven as introductions. A useful addition to the relationships derived in this way would have been a simple mathematical description to enable the practical worker to estimate the feasibility of a laser project. Thus the section on dye lasers, deals at some length with triplet effects, but ignores the obvious derivation of the required pump rise times or a calculation of the inversion at the laser threshold, taking into account the connection mentioned in the text between fluorescence and reabsorption. The book is very suitable for use as an easily understandable introduction to the physics of the laser. It can be recommended in particular to readers who wish to gain a quick general picture before tackling the specialist literature on their propo- sed application.

Gerd Murowsky [NB 181 IE]

Surface and Defect Properties of Solids, Vol. 1. Specialist Periodical Reports. The Chemical Society, London 1972. Z st ed., viii, 264 pp., numerous figures, bound f 6.00.

In the nine chapters of this volume of “Specialist Periodical Reports”, eleven authors present a survey of important results from the chemistry of solids published between January 1970

214 Angrw. Chcm. intrrnar. Edir. 1 Vol. 13 (1974) 1 No. 3