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Molecules in Natural Science and Medicine
Journal of Molecular Structure, 271 (1992)15Fh56
155
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam
Book Review Molecules in Natural Science and Medicine, edited by Zvonimir B. Maksii: and Mirjana Eckert-Maksic; Ellis Horwood, London, 1991, pp. 530, price %70.00. This encomium or eulogy to the great scientist and humanitarian Linus Pauling consists of another European tribute to this remarkable man. In 1988 the writer had the honour and pleasure of presenting to Pauling a copy of the Special Issue of THEOCHEM produced in his honour [l]. It is sad to relate that this pleasant occasion took place in a hotel-conference centre in Cavtat, Yugoslavia, subsequently destroyed by Serbian forces in their advance towards Dubrovnik, the Croatian medieval city, famous down the centuries as a centre of culture. The organizer of the Cavtat Symposium [2] was Zvonko Maksic who edits this volume with M. Eckert-Maksic. This book was prepared in difficult circumstances as more than 10,000 Croats became refugees in their own country in order to save their lives. A special word of thanks is due to Professor R. Gleiter of Heidelberg University who provided Professor Maksii: with a safe haven to complete the editorial tasks. Linus Pauling made great contributions to molecular structure, quantum chemistry, and biochemistry and biomedicine. This volume is therefore naturally divided into three sections. Six of the twenty-seven contributions deal with aspects of molecular structure ranging from electron diffraction (J. Karle and K. Hedberg), crystallography (R.E. Marsh and V. Schomater), nitrogen stereochemistry (J.E. Boggs et al.) and fibrous macromolecules (H.A. Sheraga). Outstanding quantum chemical accounts include Z.S. Herman’s historical essay on Pauling’s contributions, electronegativity (L.C. Allen and R.G. Pearson), valence bond mixing (S. Shaik), ab initio VB methods (P.V. Hiberty et al.), the Mills-Nixon effect (Z.B. Maksic et al.) and DNH deoxyribucleo helicates (J.-M. Lehn et al.). The final section consists of five contributions ranging from orthomolecular medicine (A. Hoffer) to the effect of ascorbic acid on tumours (C.T. Tsao et al., M. Eckert-Maksic et al.). The contributors have written authoritive accounts which greatly illuminate their topics. They have attempted to place their work in the context of Pauling’s contribution, thus emphasizing his stature as one of the most outstanding scientists of all time. This is a book that will be eagerly read by specialists and general readers alike; in particular librarians should ensure that it is available to young students of all disciplines.
156 1 Z.B. MaksiC and W.J. Orville-Thomas (Eds.), Six decades of the hybridization model, A tribute to Linus Pauling, J. Mol. Struct. (Theochem), 169 (1988). 2 Z.B. MaksiE and W.J. Orville-Thomas (Eds.), The electronic structure and properties of molecules, clusters and crystals, J. Mol. Struct. (Theochem), 202 (1989). W.J.O.-T.
155
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam
Book Review Molecules in Natural Science and Medicine, edited by Zvonimir B. Maksii: and Mirjana Eckert-Maksic; Ellis Horwood, London, 1991, pp. 530, price %70.00. This encomium or eulogy to the great scientist and humanitarian Linus Pauling consists of another European tribute to this remarkable man. In 1988 the writer had the honour and pleasure of presenting to Pauling a copy of the Special Issue of THEOCHEM produced in his honour [l]. It is sad to relate that this pleasant occasion took place in a hotel-conference centre in Cavtat, Yugoslavia, subsequently destroyed by Serbian forces in their advance towards Dubrovnik, the Croatian medieval city, famous down the centuries as a centre of culture. The organizer of the Cavtat Symposium [2] was Zvonko Maksic who edits this volume with M. Eckert-Maksic. This book was prepared in difficult circumstances as more than 10,000 Croats became refugees in their own country in order to save their lives. A special word of thanks is due to Professor R. Gleiter of Heidelberg University who provided Professor Maksii: with a safe haven to complete the editorial tasks. Linus Pauling made great contributions to molecular structure, quantum chemistry, and biochemistry and biomedicine. This volume is therefore naturally divided into three sections. Six of the twenty-seven contributions deal with aspects of molecular structure ranging from electron diffraction (J. Karle and K. Hedberg), crystallography (R.E. Marsh and V. Schomater), nitrogen stereochemistry (J.E. Boggs et al.) and fibrous macromolecules (H.A. Sheraga). Outstanding quantum chemical accounts include Z.S. Herman’s historical essay on Pauling’s contributions, electronegativity (L.C. Allen and R.G. Pearson), valence bond mixing (S. Shaik), ab initio VB methods (P.V. Hiberty et al.), the Mills-Nixon effect (Z.B. Maksic et al.) and DNH deoxyribucleo helicates (J.-M. Lehn et al.). The final section consists of five contributions ranging from orthomolecular medicine (A. Hoffer) to the effect of ascorbic acid on tumours (C.T. Tsao et al., M. Eckert-Maksic et al.). The contributors have written authoritive accounts which greatly illuminate their topics. They have attempted to place their work in the context of Pauling’s contribution, thus emphasizing his stature as one of the most outstanding scientists of all time. This is a book that will be eagerly read by specialists and general readers alike; in particular librarians should ensure that it is available to young students of all disciplines.
156 1 Z.B. MaksiC and W.J. Orville-Thomas (Eds.), Six decades of the hybridization model, A tribute to Linus Pauling, J. Mol. Struct. (Theochem), 169 (1988). 2 Z.B. MaksiE and W.J. Orville-Thomas (Eds.), The electronic structure and properties of molecules, clusters and crystals, J. Mol. Struct. (Theochem), 202 (1989). W.J.O.-T.