Die Entwicklungsgeschichte der Chemie

Abstract

IF we include alchemy, chemistry must have a much greater literature than any other branch of science Chemistry in the broad sense is, moreover, a science with a long history, extending over two thousand years. Any historian of chemistry who aims at describing its development within the limits of a single moderately sized volume must therefore make an arbitrary selection from the vast amount of data available. The most striking feature of the present book is the skill with which Prof. Fierz-David has made this selection, while to anyone with a sense of authorship the balance and construction of the narrative are things to be admired for themselves, quite apart from the substance of the book. The substance, however, matches the structure, and there can be little doubt that "Die Entwicklungsgeschichte der Chemie"will establish itself as one of the most authoritative and readable books in its field. It certainly ought to be translated into English.

Die Entwicklungsgeschichte der Chemie

Eine Studie. Von H. E. Fierz-David. (Wissenschaft und Kultur, Band 2. Pp. xv + 425 + 33 plates. (Basel: Verlag Birkihauser 1945.) 21.50 Schw. francs.