Organic Chemistry for Advanced Students

Abstract

THERE are several very excellent text-books upon rtie subject of organic chemistry in the English language, but although these meet the wants of the average student, the want of a more -comprehensive book has been long felt. The book before us is intended to supply this want, and to a certain extent it undoubtedly will do so. The book, according to the author, is a series of essays prepared from notes of lectures delivered to senior students. The work is perhaps best described as being a series of monographs upon different branches of chemistry; as a consequence certain subjects have been exhaustively dealt with, and other subjects have been entirely ignored. Some students will therefore find all they require within the covers of the book, and others will search in vain for the branch of chemistry with which they are familiar or desire to become familiar. Of course, a book written in this manner is bound to a certain extent to lack sequence, and one has practically to commence de novo with each section of the book, that is to say, every section has its own historical introduction. For example, the first chapter is a more or less general introduction, but when we come to chapter ii., dealing with isomerism and stereo-isomerism, there is again a long historical introduction. We are not objecting to the author treating the subjects historically; in fact, it is probably best to deal with each branch in this manner in order that the student may get a thorough and comprehensive grasp of the subject. This method of introducing and showing the gradual development of the subject is more likely, to stimulate originality than the simple setting foi th of a number of cut-and-dried facts.

Organic Chemistry for Advanced Students.

By Prof. J. B. Cohen. Pp. viii + 632. (London: Edward Arnold, 1907.) Price 21s. net.