BOOK R E V I E W S

MAX BORN and KUN HUANO : D y n a m i c a l T h e o r y of C r y s t a l L a t t i c e s . Oxford University

Press, 1954, pp. xii + 420. 50s. net.
THE authors are concerned with the dynamics of ionic and homopolar perfect lattices. As metals
and physical properties depending on imperfections of the lattice are excluded, the book does
not directly touch the particular interests of this Journal. Part I (Elementary Theories) briefly
discusses the various &inds of interatomic force (Ch. I), gives a fairly simple account of lattice
vibrations (Ch. II) and (for central forces) of elasticity and lattice stability (Ch. III). Particularly
interesting is the discussion of the inter-relation of mechanical and electromagnetic waves in a
lattice of ions coupled by short-range spring forces and long-range electromagnetic fields.
P a r t II (General Theories) starts from the quantum-mechanical problem of a set of ions and
electrons. I t is shown t h a t the effect of the electrons can to a good approximation be replaced
by an inter-ion potential (Ch. IV). Certain difficulties in discussing homogeneous deformation
of an infinite lattice lead in Chapter V to " The Method of Long Waves." Chapter VI determines
the free energy of a crystal as a function of distortion and electric field ; from it can be derived
the thermal, elastic and dielectric properties and their inter-relations (pyro-electrie and piezo-
electric coefficients). The last chapter is devoted to dispersion, R a m a n scattering and other
optical effects.
Compared with the introductory P a r t I, P a r t II is on the whole heavy reading, containing
besides some rather subtle considerations a great deal of straightforward calculation in a neces-
sarily forbidding notation. The non-specialist reader will perhaps be content merely to note
the existence of the body of work which it presents.
J. D. ESHELBY

A. E. GREEN and W. ZERNA-" T h e o r e t i c a l E l a s t i c i t y , Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1954,

437 pp. 50s. net.
Tins is not a comprehensive work on elasticity, b u t reflects the particular interests of the authors.
Three main topics are treated : the theory of finite elastic strain ; two-dimensional problems of
infinitesimal strain by means of functions of a complex variable ; and the infinitesimal distortion
of thin shells by bending. The t r e a t m e n t is authoritative, and in various places is claimed to be
an improvement on existing methods. Emphasis is laid on the advantages of tensor analysis
from the point of view of mathematical elegance.
There are no concessions of any kind to make the book accessible or interesting to engineers.
E v e n for a trained mathematician it is an extremely hard book to r e a d - unnecessarily so, one
feels, notwithstanding the intrinsic difficulties of the subject. There is no doubt, however.
t h a t the book is an inportant one, and indispensable to specialists in this field.
R. HILL

Edited by B. CH~J~MERSand R. KING : P r o g r e s s i n M e t a l P h y s i c s . Vol 5 ; Pergamon Press

Ltd., 1954, viii + 324 pp. 60s. net.

THE appearance of another volume in this excellent series is always an event of some interest,
and this, the fifth, fully maintains the high standard of its predecessors. I t is perhaps inevitable
t h a t contributions should gradually become more speeialised in their appeal, but most people
engaged in research in t h e field of metal physics will find something of interest and value.
Almost half of the space is occupied by a " Report on Precipitation " b y H. K. HARDY and
T. J. HEAL. This falls into two distinct parts. The first, dealing with the thermodynamics and
kinetics of the process has more the character of a monograph t h a n a review of recent progress,
and is not easy to follow in some places, The second part gives a detailed review of the structural

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