General Chemistry: an Elementary Survey, emphasising Industrial Applications of Fundamental Principles

THIS is a modern American text-book of the best type. The treatment is fresh and attractive, and innumerable examples of practical applications are scattered through the text, in fact an apology for the inclusion of nearly every section is first given on utilitarian grounds. The author hopes that “the book may be appreciated for the things it has left unsaid.” Omission of important matter has left space for things not found in similar text-books, but this has sometimes been carried to such lengths that many statements are so condensed as to be virtually useless. Tabular summaries are a useful feature, but the exercises are often trivial, as is usual in American text-books. The author exhibits a fervid patriotism which, although gratifying to American readers, naturally brings with it the penalty of diminishing the value of the book in wider circles. English readers will find the book stimulating and most useful in supplementing the usual text-books, but unless they take a wider view than the author's, they will receive a false impression of the importance of European chemistry. In many cases the descriptions of illustrations do not refer to those actually given.General Chemistry: an Elementary Survey, emphasising Industrial Applications of Fundamental Principles.Prof.H. G.DemingBy. Pp. xii + 605. (New York: J. Wiley and Sons, Inc.; London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1923.) 17s. 6d. net.