Apr., I953.

] BOOK R E V I E W S 357
and analogue computors are discussed, it is X-RAC which is in the limelight. Pepinsky ex-
plained the beginnings of the idea, the construction of X - R A C with schematic diagrams and
detailed explanation of its functioning, the mathematics of X-RAC, it uses, the preparation of
the data, and the presentation and accuracy of results. He also discusses S-FAC, the structure
factor computer. Some of these topics are further discussed in the nine appendices. W o r t h y
of special note is Sayre's thesis work, done on the X - R A C program, on Fourier transforms.
Anyone interested in using X - R A C who is not entirely familiar with it would profit consider-
ably by reading this account.
The printed discussions are augmented by numerous diagrams and pictures. This is
especially true of the description of X - R A C which includes diagrams and pictures of parts of
the machine and of personnel connected with it and persons attending the conference.
M. H. BORTNER

TEXTBOOK OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS, by Melvin Nord. 518 pages, diagrams, illustra-

tions, 16 >( 24 cm. New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1952. Price, $6.50.
Dividing his book into four principal p a r t s - - r a w materials, production, properties, and
specific engineering materials--Dr. Nord, Professor of Chemical Engineering at Wayne Uni-
versity, has covered rather thoroughly the subject of engineering materials. In a field of such
a magnitude as this, of course, each phase of the subject cannot be investigated completely;
but the basic concepts behind each of the four parts into which the book has been divided are
presented. Since the book is intended for college freshman and sophomore use, much more
than this is not required.
The short first part of the book on the raw materials of engineering presents, as one would
expect, the sources, formation and recovery of minerals. It is really some very elementary
physical geology. In the second part, the production of engineering materials from the crude
ores are discussed. Mineral dressing, such chemical processes as leaching, calcination, roast-
ing, combustion and the branches of extractive metallurgy--pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy
and electrometallurgy-- are described. Beginning with the fundamental states of matter,
the mechanical, physical a n d chemical properties of engineering materials are discussed in the
third part. The fourth part, with which more than two-thirds of the book is concerned, deals
with such specific materials as those for the generation of energy (water, fuels and explosives) ;
ferrous and non-ferrous metals a n d alloys; natural and artificial building stones; natural and
synthetic organic materials as wood, rubber and plastics; and protective materials as surface
coatings and lubricants. Each of the various materials is described in some detail. In the
case of the ferrous and non-ferrous materials, for instance, the source, production, properties
and uses are discussed. In the case of cementing materials used in building stone construction,
the various cements and the chemical reactions occurring during setting are discussed. In the
case of rubber, the production, vulcanization, latex processing, the various synthetic rubbers,
and the physical properties are discussed.
Whole books have been written about each of these materials, so t h a t one should not expect
to find everything available on each in this volume. But one will get an over-all survey of the
broad field of engineering materials, what they are, where they come from and why and where
they are used. E . W . HAMMER
AN INTRODUCTION TO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH,by E. Bright Wilson, Jr. 375 pages, diagrams,
16 )< 24 cm. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1952. Price, $6.00.
Young men and women often complete scientific studies and enter fields of research with-
out ever having been exposed to any formal training in methods of scientific research. This is
most unfortunate because often this results in a slow rate of professional growth and con-
tributes to waste and inefficiency in research as a whole. Dr. Wilson's book provides answers
to many of the perplexing problems encountered by scientists, young and old. The thought-
ful reading of this book will not guarantee success and efficiency to those who are beginning
research careers in a n y branch of science, but it will most certainly improve them.
In lieu of attaching oneself to an eminently successful research scientist to learn tech-
niques, one can read a b o u t procedures which successful investigators have found helpful. Not