Abstract
THE author of this volume is professor of chemistry, mineralogy and geology in the United States Military Academy, and the book embodies an attempt to present chemical science in a form and compass adapted to special circumstances. Whilst in the opinion of the author “the chemical knowledge most requisite to the average professional soldier differs but little from that essential to other educated men... the experience and judgment of the Academic Board and of their military superiors” has limited the course to about two months. From this statement, as well as from the concentration of three sciences in one professor, it would appear that the dogged resistance to the encroachment of science on the art of war which distinguishes the Anglo-Saxon in this country, is well maintained in America. It is evident, also, that the task of the author is no light one. He has discharged it by presenting a tolerably full and very lucid account of the chief principles of chemistry, followed by a considerable amount of descriptive matter, illustrated, and we may say illuminated, where possible, by reference to things of military interest. The outcome is a very readable volume, containing information which, if it could be conveyed under reasonable conditions, would be of great value to the future soldier. But it need hardly be said that a mass of scientific information, however skilfully selected and well written or well spoken, will give in no important measure a scientific habit of mind, or an animate knowledge of science. On the whole, however, Prof. Tilman has probably done the best possible under the circumstances.
Descriptive General Chemistry.
By S. E. Tilman. Second Edition. Pp. x + 429. (London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1899.)
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
S., A. Descriptive General Chemistry . Nature 61, 175 (1899). https://doi.org/10.1038/061175a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/061175a0