The Field of Inorganic Chemistry

Abstract

IT is seldom that any real enthusiasm can bearoused by an introductory chemical textbook. After the novelty of the ‘ultra-humanized’ book, introduced a decade or more ago, had worn off, there appeared imitations with varying degrees of merit, and differing mainly in the order of presentation of conventional matter, just as previous to them a line of monotonous uninspired productions had challenged the keenness of generations of beginners. Prof. Bjerrum's volume does not essay to initiate a further revolution; it strives after no sensational effects, but unostentatiously and by a masterly treatment of its subject matter embodies all the qualities of a really first-class text-book. For its modest size, its” special strength is in its handling of physical and theoretical aspects and developments. There are few who would fail to endorse the opinions expressed in the foreword by Prof. Donnan, who state3 that it is the finest introduction to modern chemical science that he has read, that there is no fundamental aspect of that vast field as it exists to-day that the book does not explain and illustrate in a clear and logical manner, and that its adoption in every English-speaking seat of learning would result in a marked improvement in the average standard of chemical knowledge.

Inorganic Chemistry

By Niels Bjerrum. Translated from the third Danish edition (1932) and brought up to date and adapted to English conditions in collaboration with the author by R. P. Bell. Pp. x + 317. (London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1936.) 7s. 6d.