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The janus faces of genius
A Dictionary of Plant Pathology. By Paul Holliday. Pp. 370. Cambridge University Press. 1992. Paperback f14.95, US $24.95 ISBN 0 52142475 5, A Dictionary of Plant Pathology is very far from the dry tome one expects of a book with such a title. It is a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of information, with definitions of terms rubbing shoulders with explanations of whole subject areas, each entry occupying a space the size of a large postage stamp. This small volume of 367 pages contains notes and references to fungi from 460 genera, 675 viruses and many bacteria, nematodes and viroids. The literary style is very easy to read, the small snippets of information about subject areas and famous plant pathologists enlivening straight forward definitions. The list of source reference books provides readers with excellent leads into new areas, something especially useful for students writing essays and researching projects. The more specialist references are in a very compressed and abbreviated form, which takes a little translating but nevertheless provides, an invaluable starting point for further research. This is a most useful book which is now accessible to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Professional plant pathologists will find it a great aidemtmoire, a must for their personal library shelves. J. L. Faull
Understanding our Environment. An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry and Pollution. Edited by R. M. Harrison. Pp. 326. Royal Society of Chemistry. 1992. Paperback f 19.50 ISBN 0 85 186 233 0. This review of the problems of environmental resource protection has been compiled ‘for any reader with some background in the chemical sciences’. An introductory overview is followed by six chapters explaining the basic physical chemistry of the main compartments of the geobiosphere: atmosphere, terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems as well as the behaviour and monitoring of anthropogenic emissions and pollutants. Two final chapters address human health hazards, ecotoxicological aspects and the ‘economic’ implications of control measures. Some needs for correction and improvement can be identified. For example, the global annual rate of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emission is given as of the order of 5 billion tonnes (p. 9) but an implied 25 billion tonnes later (p. 18). Different graphical scales of figure 9 (p. 117) are given without reference to the relevant plots. Access for reference would be greatly helped by glossaries of the many acronyms with a list of figures and tables. Finally, in today’s world of urgently needed international cooperation references to the existing machinery and programmes of the relevant UN agencies were negligible (for example FAO, IAEA, WHO and WMO.).
4%
Despite the inevitable potential for improved presentation of such wide-ranging scientific material, the authors are to be congratulated on their very useful and timely work. F. P. W. Winteringham Physics of Climate. By Jose P. Peixoto and Abraham H. Oort. Pp. 520. American Institute of Physics. 1992. Hardback f66.00, US $95.00 ISBN 0 88318 711 6, paperback f31.25 US $45.00 ISBN 0 88318 712 4. At a time when there is major emphasis on both improving our understanding of the earth’s present climate system and the interdisciplinary studies needed to interpret evidence of climate change, this breadth of scientific interest ensures that this book has a potentially large readership. Both authors - and Ed Lorenz, who provided the foreword - attribute their original interest in the subject to the late Victor Starr. By distilling much of their published work and lecture course notes the authors have provided a work which avoids excessive mathematics and concentrates on the ideas and concepts central to the understanding and appreciation of our climate system. The authors’ expertise reflects the book’s contents, with about 60 per cent on observational/ diagnostic studies and the remainder on physical principles and general background. Although it is pitched at graduate level, it will also provide excellent material for stimulating undergraduates in climate-related disciplines. Although over 500 pages long there are still some weaknesses. References to computer modelling and its increasingly large role in climate studies is very limited and outdated, and the quite extensive sections on physical processes barely mention atmospheric convection. This is an ideal addition to the bookshelf. By providing a summary of the physical foundations of our climate system, it deserves to be a widely read text useful in the teaching and research activities of many scientists. M. J. Miller Superconductivity. By P. F. Dahl. Pp. 406. American Institute of Physics. 7992. Hardback f38.00, US $55.00 ISBN 0 88378 848 7. Dahl has produced an excellent history of superconductivity, finely researched and written with a clarity of exposition that renders the somewhat esoteric nature of the material accessible to readers without specialist knowledge of lowtemperature physics. However, the author makes few concessions to his readers, who are expected to be familiar with the major tenets of modem physics. Nevertheless, he paints a clear picture of his subject and draws together several threads that are often ignored in such intemalist histories. The significance of, and rivalry between, individuals and institutions, the reciprocal interplay between experiment and theory and the mutual dependence of physics and engineering are
treated to an insightful study. Dahl’s work suggests the complex nature of scientific research and engineering development, and goes some way to unravel the technical and social aspects of science. He shows how interest in the liquefaction of gases and the measurement of low temperature shifted to the behaviour of conductors, whence superconductors were discovered and defined. For 20 years the subject was ‘experiment led’ - only slowly did theoretical understanding emerge. By the 1960s a reasonable theory evolved, but even now superconductivity is still providing surprises for theoreticians. Dahl’s touch is sure in the early period - that is to ca 1940 where he originally intended to end his book - but becomes less so towards modern developments. The first 11 chapters were a riveting read - the last three could have been left out. In general the book has been well proofread: apart from transposed captions to figures 7-7 and 7-8, very few significant errors were detected. It is a pity, however, that better diagrams could not have been provided - some of them were’unclear, too many were almost incomprehensible. An excellent text could have been marred by poor graphics. However, these criticisms aside, Dahl’s book can be recommended to those interested in the history of what is now an important technology; for as a case study in discovery, innovation and utilization it stands in the first rank. Colin A. Hempstead The Janus Faces of Genius. By B. J. T. Dobbs. Pp. 359. Cambridge University Press. 1992. Hardback f30.00, US $47.95 ISBN 0 52 I 38084. Fifty years ago Lord Keynes boldly opined ‘there can be no doubt that the peculiar geometrical form in which the exposition of the Principia is dressed up bears no resemblance at all to the mental processes by which Newton actually arrived at his conclusions’. Dr Dobbs seeks to demonstrate the truth of this opinion, using the same Newtonian papers that Keynes read, and many others. Isaac Newton was a man looking backwards over 2000 years of learning, as well as forward to mathematical and experimental science. Basing her case on 20 years of research, Dr Dobbs argues that Newton’s immersion in history, religion, philosophy, and alchemy formed his scientific thought. His ideas of the ‘vegetation’ of metals, of an active spirit in Nature (later, active principles) and of the continuous activity of God in his creation were the intellectual foundation of Principia and Opticks, though not dictating precise arguments. Other factors were Stoic philosophy and (perhaps) Stonehenge. One cannot but agree that Newton’s world was complex, and that he sought to hide a part of its complexity. There are still, however, may unresolved questions of great interest relating to that part which Newton did wish to reveal. A. Rupert Hall
Understanding our Environment. An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry and Pollution. Edited by R. M. Harrison. Pp. 326. Royal Society of Chemistry. 1992. Paperback f 19.50 ISBN 0 85 186 233 0. This review of the problems of environmental resource protection has been compiled ‘for any reader with some background in the chemical sciences’. An introductory overview is followed by six chapters explaining the basic physical chemistry of the main compartments of the geobiosphere: atmosphere, terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems as well as the behaviour and monitoring of anthropogenic emissions and pollutants. Two final chapters address human health hazards, ecotoxicological aspects and the ‘economic’ implications of control measures. Some needs for correction and improvement can be identified. For example, the global annual rate of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emission is given as of the order of 5 billion tonnes (p. 9) but an implied 25 billion tonnes later (p. 18). Different graphical scales of figure 9 (p. 117) are given without reference to the relevant plots. Access for reference would be greatly helped by glossaries of the many acronyms with a list of figures and tables. Finally, in today’s world of urgently needed international cooperation references to the existing machinery and programmes of the relevant UN agencies were negligible (for example FAO, IAEA, WHO and WMO.).
4%
Despite the inevitable potential for improved presentation of such wide-ranging scientific material, the authors are to be congratulated on their very useful and timely work. F. P. W. Winteringham Physics of Climate. By Jose P. Peixoto and Abraham H. Oort. Pp. 520. American Institute of Physics. 1992. Hardback f66.00, US $95.00 ISBN 0 88318 711 6, paperback f31.25 US $45.00 ISBN 0 88318 712 4. At a time when there is major emphasis on both improving our understanding of the earth’s present climate system and the interdisciplinary studies needed to interpret evidence of climate change, this breadth of scientific interest ensures that this book has a potentially large readership. Both authors - and Ed Lorenz, who provided the foreword - attribute their original interest in the subject to the late Victor Starr. By distilling much of their published work and lecture course notes the authors have provided a work which avoids excessive mathematics and concentrates on the ideas and concepts central to the understanding and appreciation of our climate system. The authors’ expertise reflects the book’s contents, with about 60 per cent on observational/ diagnostic studies and the remainder on physical principles and general background. Although it is pitched at graduate level, it will also provide excellent material for stimulating undergraduates in climate-related disciplines. Although over 500 pages long there are still some weaknesses. References to computer modelling and its increasingly large role in climate studies is very limited and outdated, and the quite extensive sections on physical processes barely mention atmospheric convection. This is an ideal addition to the bookshelf. By providing a summary of the physical foundations of our climate system, it deserves to be a widely read text useful in the teaching and research activities of many scientists. M. J. Miller Superconductivity. By P. F. Dahl. Pp. 406. American Institute of Physics. 7992. Hardback f38.00, US $55.00 ISBN 0 88378 848 7. Dahl has produced an excellent history of superconductivity, finely researched and written with a clarity of exposition that renders the somewhat esoteric nature of the material accessible to readers without specialist knowledge of lowtemperature physics. However, the author makes few concessions to his readers, who are expected to be familiar with the major tenets of modem physics. Nevertheless, he paints a clear picture of his subject and draws together several threads that are often ignored in such intemalist histories. The significance of, and rivalry between, individuals and institutions, the reciprocal interplay between experiment and theory and the mutual dependence of physics and engineering are
treated to an insightful study. Dahl’s work suggests the complex nature of scientific research and engineering development, and goes some way to unravel the technical and social aspects of science. He shows how interest in the liquefaction of gases and the measurement of low temperature shifted to the behaviour of conductors, whence superconductors were discovered and defined. For 20 years the subject was ‘experiment led’ - only slowly did theoretical understanding emerge. By the 1960s a reasonable theory evolved, but even now superconductivity is still providing surprises for theoreticians. Dahl’s touch is sure in the early period - that is to ca 1940 where he originally intended to end his book - but becomes less so towards modern developments. The first 11 chapters were a riveting read - the last three could have been left out. In general the book has been well proofread: apart from transposed captions to figures 7-7 and 7-8, very few significant errors were detected. It is a pity, however, that better diagrams could not have been provided - some of them were’unclear, too many were almost incomprehensible. An excellent text could have been marred by poor graphics. However, these criticisms aside, Dahl’s book can be recommended to those interested in the history of what is now an important technology; for as a case study in discovery, innovation and utilization it stands in the first rank. Colin A. Hempstead The Janus Faces of Genius. By B. J. T. Dobbs. Pp. 359. Cambridge University Press. 1992. Hardback f30.00, US $47.95 ISBN 0 52 I 38084. Fifty years ago Lord Keynes boldly opined ‘there can be no doubt that the peculiar geometrical form in which the exposition of the Principia is dressed up bears no resemblance at all to the mental processes by which Newton actually arrived at his conclusions’. Dr Dobbs seeks to demonstrate the truth of this opinion, using the same Newtonian papers that Keynes read, and many others. Isaac Newton was a man looking backwards over 2000 years of learning, as well as forward to mathematical and experimental science. Basing her case on 20 years of research, Dr Dobbs argues that Newton’s immersion in history, religion, philosophy, and alchemy formed his scientific thought. His ideas of the ‘vegetation’ of metals, of an active spirit in Nature (later, active principles) and of the continuous activity of God in his creation were the intellectual foundation of Principia and Opticks, though not dictating precise arguments. Other factors were Stoic philosophy and (perhaps) Stonehenge. One cannot but agree that Newton’s world was complex, and that he sought to hide a part of its complexity. There are still, however, may unresolved questions of great interest relating to that part which Newton did wish to reveal. A. Rupert Hall