220
graphical errors. My only complaint is that the
format is a little too large for comfortable reading
in bed!
C. M. H A N S S O N
The Danish Corrosion Centre,
Park All~ 345,
DK-2605 Brondby,
Denmark
Introduction to the Principles of Ceramic
Processing
by J. S. Reed; published by Wiley,New York, 1988; 487
pp.; price, £38.95
This book provides an introduction to the pro-
cessing of ceramics and is already in use at a
number of colleges as a text. It should serve very
well as a text and as a basic desk reference. It is
not an introductory text to the entire field of
ceramics; that book is not yet written in English,
although translations of good Japanese texts are
appearing. This text would be excellent for a
course following the introductory ceramics or
materials course.
The organization of the text is logical, follow-
ing the flow chart of typical ceramic processes
from raw materials through firing. The major
emphasis (21 of 26 chapters) of the book is on
raw materials preparations, mixing and handling
steps, and forming operations. Firing receives
only one chapter and post-firing finishing and
grinding or polishing is not covered. The chapters
stand alone and will adequately brief someone
new to each area covered. Referencing is
thorough within a topic although the footnotes
and chapter endnotes are not collected into a
Bibliography. Questions following each chapter
would be useful only in classroom settings since
answers are not given and numerical examples
are not solved within the text.
Aside from these limitations of format, the
content is excellent. The material is covered in
sufficient depth to admit the reader to the litera-
ture, even in the short firing chapter. Chapters
where I found too much detail were easily
skimmed without getting lost; a great advantage in
a text of this type, since most industrial-based
readers like myself will be well versed in one
chapter and very weak in another. The book
reads easily and quickly but the depth is not sacri-
ficed. The breadth is limited to present day prac-
tice for the most part (fractal modeling of particle
shape is not mentioned and fast firing kiln is pic-
tured but the theory is not presented or refer-
enced), although more exotic powder preparation
techniques are covered (precipitation, sol-gel,
vapor phase reaction).
This book will become a best seller in the trade
to match its already brisk sales in materials pro-
grams. Publication of a factually accurate, basic
text covering such a complete segment of ceram-
ics practice is a rare occurrence; this book will sit
next to Kingery on many shelves of the next
generation of ceramists.
J. W. L A U G H N E R
New York College of Ceramics,
Alfred University,
Alfred, NY 14802,
U.S.A.