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BOOK REVIEWS texts on group theory that those without a strong background in mathematics could tackle, and a t a time when it suddenly be- came de rigeur to talk about irreducible representations and character tables, it has been deservedly popular. But Schonland SeNeS a different pur- pose. While it is true that the density of equations is higher here, it is not fair to mention this without pointing out that the book is very well-written and is definitely not an exercise in abstract group theory. The prerequisites for independent reading of this hook are a t a level barely higher than thase required for Cotton. While greater mathematical dexterity is required whh Schonlmd, thnm that work t,heir way through the book will have a far better appreciation for the structure of the sub- ject. Thw, after a chapter an symmetry operations and groups, a chapter is d e voted to vector spaces, and the next to operators, matrices, and representations. Two cht~oters are devoted to reducible and irreducil~l~ rrprwt~nti(tww 011e 11111~ I I a n I p c . and qunl,lurn mwl.an~r- (sn p. 7;. Scl~w>lnnd ore p. 117. Cotton is probably more successful in the chapters on applications. He pays greater att,ention to specific problems which are interesting. Schonlsnd applies erouo theorv to the fundamentals of t,he probiems a i hand (molecular vibrations, molecular orbitals, electronic spectra), hut he lacks the detailed discussion of elec- tronic and molecular structure which Cot,ton has presented so well. A student hardly needs hoth of these books. A budding inorganic or organic chemist will probably prefer Cotton, while an embryo physical chemist will be happier with Schonland. I would have been happier with the latter if an attempt had been made to discuss topies such as the rotation groups. There are a few prob- lems at the ends of the chapters (Cat,tan hss none), and I would urge that no one publish another book on the chemical applications of group theory until he has an extensive set of homework problems to include. RICHARD L. CARLIN Brmn University Providence, Rfwde Island Gmelinr Handbuch der Anorganischen Chemie. 8. Auflage, System Nummer 60, Kupfer. Tail B., Lieferung 3, Ver- bindungen Kupfer-Lithium bir Kupfer- Eisen. Reaktionen der Kvpfer lonen Edited by E. H. E. Pietsch and the Gmelin Institute. Verlag Chemie, GMBH, WeinheimIBergstrasse, 1965. xxvi + 476 pp. Figs. and tables. 17.5 X 25.5 cm. $74. The double copper compounds of the series lithium through iron (by the Gemlin system) are treated in this section. The coverage includes compounds which con- tain a t least one metal constituent in sddi- tion to copper and their allied systems. A chapter on the Cu(I1) ion with 8. subsec- tion on the acida-cuprate ions covers the recent literature through 1964 and updates the previous coverage of these ions in other sections of the copper volome. In- formation on bhe C d I I I ) ion is also in- cluded. Section 4 of Part B of the copper volume which will conclude the treatment of double copper compounds and copper complexes and snpplement the references in the first 3 sections is scheduled to appear in 1966. J. V. D. The Chemistry of Technetium and Rhenium R. D. Peacock, University of Leicester, Great Britain. American Elaevier Puh- lisbing Co., New York, 1966. Topics in Inorganic and General Chemisbry, Monograph No. 6. 13i pp. Figs. and tables. 14 X ?" rm. $10. Thechemistry of Rhenium and Technetium R. Colton, Univemity of Melhoun~e, Tictoria, Aust,rulia. Interscience Pub- lishers (a division of John Wiley and Sons, Inc.), New York, 1966. ix + 185 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 em. $8.50. The relatively recent upsurge of in- terest in the chemistry of rhenium and technetium h a provided sn extemive number of researth publications which is increasing yearly. The books under re- A756 / Journol of Chemical Education
