X Books

The book "Crystallography in Modern Chemistry - Resource Book of Crystal Structures" by Thomas W.C. Mak and Gong-Du Zhou (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1992, ISBN 0-471-54702-6) is always on my bookshelf - and I constantly refer to it.

Why? The answer is simple: It is the best resource book about chemical structures I know. I use it constantly to compare the molecular structures I obtain with the ab-initio calculations I do with Gaussian 98W with the structures discussed in the book.

The authors have collected crystal and molecular structures to illustrate chemical concepts for their introductory and advanced lectures at several universities over a period of 25 years. And what a magnificent collection of structures they have managed to collect, reproduce, discuss and place in perspective!

This collection covering 1323 pages ranges from the "run-of-the-mill" structures for freshman chemistry courses (Chapter 2; 27 structures; about 160 pages of structures, data and illustrations), main group inorganic compounds (Chapter 3; 43 structures; about 280 pages), inorganic compounds of the transition elements (Chapter 4; 23 structures; about 260 pages), organic compounds (Chapter 5; 23 structures; about 110 pages), organometallic compounds (Chapter 6; 16 compounds; about 160 pages) ans inclusion compounds (Chapter 7; 9 compounds; about 130 pages).

I must emphasize that the term "compound" in my list in the previous paragraph is far wider than just a single compound, for instance, the discussion of the compound "Zinc Blende, ZnS" compares it with many of the other compounds having the ideal zinc blende structure; a useful set of references for further reading is also provided for each compound type.

The authors did not include structures haphazardly, but put a lot of thought into the selection of structures which are useful for illustrating chemical concepts, for instance, including hexamethyl benzene and its structural problems. The crystal and molecular structure of benzene, the symmetry of the benzene molecule as deduced from vibrational spectra, the actual equilibrium geometry of the benzene molecule, the structures of the hexa-substituted benzenes (hexachloro-, hexanitro-, hexaamino-, etc.), as well as borazine and its P- and Al-analogues, etc are also discussed. The discussion emphasizes the similariity, as well as the differences between these intriguing compounds, and the list of about 30 references to the original and extended literature invites the reader to delve deeper.

A book which compliments the book by Mak and Zhou is the very valuable book written by Kozo Kuchitsu (Editor), "Structures of Free Polyatomic Molecules - Basic Data", Springer Verlag, Berlin, 1998, ISBN 3-540-60766-8), which collects the structural data of some free polyatomic molecules. However, since it's purpose is to provide a collection of critically evaluated structural data and references, it does not provide a discussion of the individual structures.

In conclusion, I can say that I recommend that all teachers of chemistry should use the book by Mak and Zhou, and that all libraries should own copies of it for the use of their students. The only reason why I use the library copy is the cost of the book - namely, US$240.

And I wish that the book were available in electronic format on a CD-ROM - it would make it a far more useful teaching tool, since its structures and tables could then be electronically projected from a laptop in a well-equipped classroom and discussed without the need of Xeroxes and copyright problems! In addition, a CD-ROM ought to be cheaper than the printed version and students could buy it. Strange, in this age of the information highway, that this has not been done. I would strongly recommend it!

If you haven't yet discovered Diane Pearson, you are in for a real treat. What a comprehensive writer she is .. developing her characters well, then carrying you and them into well researched historical facts interposed into fiction. She is a phenomenal writer, although I haven't seen anything "new" from her since 1992. I believe her earliest works were published in the mid 60's. If you treat yourself to one of her books, you will surely want to read everything she has ever written, and she won't disappoint you! This is truly top-level reading .. you can't put it down until you realize you are nearly finished with the book and don't want it to end, so you start pacing yourself .. only 2 pages per day to make it last as long as possible. Everyone to whom I've loaned this book has loved it and wants more.

If you thought you knew all there was to know about Charles Darwin and his evolutionary hypothesis, but you haven't read this book, then think again. Eiseley's research is impeccable, but his findings strike to the very heart of the Darwin legend, revealing a deeply flawed and basically dishonest seeker after self-aggrandisement. No wonder it's out of print! Despite his findings Eiseley remained a Darwinist and an evolutionist to his dying day. This book is no slice of creationist propoganda, it is a carefully written, highly readable review of the facts. If you have any interest in the history of evolutionism - pro or con - this book should be very near the top of your reading list.

This calendar-style book has much to offer in short, easily adaptable entries for each day of the year. The obvious approach would be to set aside a few minutes to read and reflect on each day's entry. However, the author has generously offered an option via the topic index. Either choice is suitable for individuals or small groups. The format is a selection from Augustine's writings, containing an appropriate heading and the citation, followed by a brief reflection.

For example, the entry for the day on which this review was written, March 15, is titled "A Prayer for Prayer." It begins with an excerpt from Augustine's Soliloquies asking God to wash him free "of all my silly earthly desires so that I may be clear-eyed enough to see you," a wish that continues to echo into the twenty-first century. Fr. Burt's reflection compares our ability to pray despite silly earthly desires with an airplane's ability to fly despite the pull of gravity. "Gravity is always an obstacle to flying; flying with weakened wings is all the more a challenge," he writes. Overcoming worldly distractions even for a moment allows us to receive the grace to pray, he explains, and it takes few words for our attention and love to become gradually fixed on God.

This pattern of acknowledging human frailty while expressing encouragement and hope runs throughout Fr. Burt's current work, making it a valuable resource to keep close at hand.

This book is a must read for anyone that is insterested in Texas history. The author holds no punches in telling the true stories of drunkeness and constant backstabbing that went on while the young territory was trying to gain independence from Mexico. It definetley is not a book that tells only the glorious side of the Battle of San Jacinto.

A show of America's most beautiful girls will take you on a tour of Washington, DC in a way that showcases the city in a whole new light. The pictures are breathtakingly awesome!

Unlike other calendars, DC Bikini Team Calendar photos are almost life-size, taking up 2/3 of the page. It is difficult to break your stare once you eyes have landed on this incredible calendar. This masterpiece is hot, yet classy, colorful and artistic--featuring the full diversity of the all-American girl.

I have the calendar hanging in my bathroom. For the longest time, I could not figure out why my guest, woman as well as men, would take so long to return from a trip to my bathroom. Then I had several guest ask me if they could take the calendar home with them. I then advised them to go to amazon.com and get their own because my calendar was NOT going anywhere.

This calendar is the perfect gift. It is one of my favorite purchases in recent memory.

As long as I have this calendar, I will always have the best display of Washington, DC.

It is truly the best swimsuit calendar I have ever owned and the one of the best expressions of beauty that anyone can appreciate.

DC Bikini Team is a team that every warm blooded man will want to be on and might I say--What a team! What a team!

William X. Kienzle is one of the most talented and popular authors working in the mystery genre today. Dead Wrong: A Father Koesler Mystery is a classic Kienzle tale and centers on Father Robert Koesler's investigation into the 30-year-old murder of a young woman awaiting a marriage proposal. Scandal between family, business, and the Church loom in this dark tale, riddled with twists and hidden motivations.

Like most of Kienzle's books, this one had an interesting plot twist. It was quite difficult to find out who the killer was, and the ending was nothing short of surprising. The characters were fully developed, and all the background of the principal characters showed the reader why they had a problem with the victim. The plot was not only interesting, but easy to follow.

this book is so wounderful! it tells the story of James Dean's life in beautiful pictures (and words)i loved this book so much! if your a James Dean Fan you will injoy looking at the pictures and reading this book!

As usual, Kienzle has written a good story here, but he adds an element of humor in the actions of one of the characters. His constant mishaps nearly make the reader laugh out loud. A very good book.