Syntheses and Separations Using Functional Polymers. Edited by D. C. Sherriffgton and P. Hodge. Pp. 454. Wiley, Chichester. 1988. f52.50.

This text is the sequel to ‘Polymer-supported Reactions in Organic Synthesis’, edited by Hodge and Sherrington in 1980. The two books are equally credit-worthy. Well- known workers have contributed 1 I chapters entitled ‘Synthesis and Structure of Polymer Supports’ by A. Cuyot (42 pages, 120 ret%); ‘Organic Reactions Using Polymer- Supported Catalysts, Reagents or Substrates’ by P. Hodge (80 pages, 351 refs); ‘Polymer- Bound Transition Metal Catalysts’ by P. E. Garrou and B. C. Gates (26 pages, 105 refs); ‘Design and Industrial Application of Polymeric Acid Catalysts‘ by H. Widdecke (32 pages, 61 refs); ‘Polymeric Phase Trans- fer Catalysts’ by M. Tom& and W. T. Ford (28 pages, 147 refs); ‘Properties of Polymeric Rose Bengals - Polymers as Photochemical Reagents’ by D. C. Neckers (18 pages, 24 refs); ‘Folymeri~ Models of Reactive Biolo- gical Systems’ by H. J. van den Berg and G. Challa (38 pages, 82 refs); ‘Polymers in Affinity Chromatography’ by L. Jervis (40 pages, 213 refs); ‘Use of Chiral Polymers for the Separation of Enantiomers’ by W. H. Pirkle and G. S. Mohler (20 pages, 69 refs); ‘Polymeric Ligands in Hydrometallurgy’ by A. Warshawsky (62 pages. 134 refs): and ‘A Wider Perspective of Polymer Supports and Reactive Polymers’ by D. C. Sherrington (58 pages and 204 refs).

The various contributions are well written and coverage is usually up to early 1986. The articles are written in such a way that a newcomer to the topic can learn a great deal, while they remain of great value to experi- enced research workers. Therefore. the text is an essential library purchase, but may be priced out of reach of some individuals.

J. 0. Milter

Photons and Quantum Fluctuations. Edited by E. R. Pike and H. Waither. Pp. 218. Adam Hilger, Bristol. 7988. f23.50.

Grudgingly, 1 came to enjoy quite a lot in this book. Grudgingly, because the title is less than sensible; ‘Nonclassical Light’ would surely have been much better. It would, too, have looked so much more like a book if the editors had asked for the ~mera-ready copy to he in the same, or at least similar, type- face. It is admirable that a seminar which was held in January 1988 should reach book form so rapidly, but it could have been done just as quickly with a little eye to the aesthetics. Such a volume needs a genuine introduction to the subject, but Yuens paper entitled ‘Nonclassical Light’ is no more than an aide m&moire to those who know the material already.

Nevertheless, there are a great many things which are good. Herbert Walther’s own article on Single-atom Oscillators is admirably clear and absolutely fascinating~ as is the one by Mandel and his co-workers Oil ‘Nonclassical Photon interference Effects’. A moratorium should be declared

on papers on the localization of photons. Perhaps ten years would be a good period of abstinence, in the hope that by the end of that time something approximating to real local~zatjon might then prove to be possible. This is an extremely interesting field; and the book inevitably becomes interesting for all its faults.

tes Allen

Soil Physics. 2nd Edn. By T. .I. ~arshai~ and J. W. tioimes. Pp. 374. Cambridge University Press. 1988. Hardback f45.00, US$89.50; paperback f 15.00, LJS$,?B.95.

The main theme of this book is soil-water relations but its great virtue is the broad scope of its coverage of topics in soil physics. These topics also include: soil aggregation and structure; soil strength, compaction, and tillage; management of soil water; and the physical environment of roots. I have not found such a broad coverage of topics in soil physics treated ai this level in any other textbook and the reappearance of this book in a slightly enlarged second edition is to be welcomed. A further strength of this book is the comprehensive list of references that allows the reader easy access to more de- tailed research and reviews and has been increased by over 100 references since the last edition.

The authors’ approach is that of physicists and their style is clear, concise, and well itlustrated with an excellent compilation of experimental results. This book is excellent value to students of soil physics and to research workers in related fields who need an autho~tative account.

C. Mullins

Membrane Proteins: Structure, function, Assembly. fdiied by Jan ~ydstr~m. Pp. 250. Cambrjdge University Press. 1988. f30.00, uSq47.50.

This is a splendid book for the teacher rather than the student. It is the proceedings of Nobel Symposium 66 held in September 1985 and is organized into three sections: struc- ture and function of membrane proteins; lipid-protein interactions; and biosynthesis and assembly of membrane proteins, of which the last is disappointing since it com- prises only two short articles and gives no indication of the controversies and debate within the field. However, the first two sec- tions, particularly the first. are excellent. The articles arc generally thoughtful, detailed reviews of very specific topics, mainly con- cerning proteins whose functions (as opposed to mechanisms of action) are quite well understood. It is not surprising, there- fore, that most chapters in the first section concentrate on proteins involved in ion or etectron transport or harvesting light energy. In the shorter second section on lipid-protein interactions, I was particularly fascinated by the chapter on the structure of membranes in thermophiljc ar~haeba~te~a, and must thank the authors for widening my narrow, planar- lipid-bilayer concept of membrane structure.

Overall this book has such an interesting

wealth of detail, informed speculation, and references, that it shoutd be useful, particu- larty to teachers, for many years.

S. J. S. Hardy

Low-Level Radioactive Waste Regulation - Science. Politics and Fear. Edited by Michael E. Burns. Pp. 31 I, Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, Ml, and Wiley, Chichester. 1988. f30.35.

Anyone requiring a comprehensive introduc- tion to the problems associated with the disposal of radioactive wastes could do worse than start with this book, aptly sub-titled ‘Science, Politics and Fear’. Although it is specific to the USA, the topics covered have their parallels in virtually every country that has to dispose of radioactive wastes

The chapters can mostly be read in isota- tion, which allows the reader the iuxury of selective reading, at the expense of some duplication. Of particular interest to the newcomer to the field is the opening chapter which provides a superb, anecdotal history of the nuclear industry. The following chapters attempt to explain the USA’s complex radioactive waste policy and regulations. That they largely succeed is a tribute to the authors. although it is inevitably confusing for the reader at the first attempt. Chapter 9, intriguingly titled ‘Making the World Safe for Chicken Little’, must be a cri-de-coeur for every scientist in the industry who cannot understand why people should be concerned by the trivial risks associated with radioactive waste disposal.

Further into the book is a topical chapter on the biological effects of radiation, and there are also a number of case studies on how different organizations have reacted to the regulatory requirements.

In conclusion, a recommended read for waste disposal practitioners everywhere.

N&e1 Mon~kto~

Mapping and Sequencing the Human Gename. By the Commi~ee on ~appiffg and Sequeffcing the Human Genome, Board on Basic Biology, Commission on Life Science and ~atjonai Research Council. Pp. 116. Nationaf Academy Press, Washington. 1988. Paperback.

Anyone who wishes to know why this field is rapidly becoming the most important biolo- gical project of the century, and probably the biggest collaborative venture ever in biology, can do no better than to read this clear, concise, and exciting book from the National Research Council of the USA. Far from being the usual turgid committee report, the book gives a stage-by-stage outline of the background, methods, and current progress in gene mapping and sequencing, and then discusses how future work can best be coor- dinated as a single major human genome project. Finally, it considers the medical, industrial, and other benefits likely to come from this project, as well as the potential problems relating to commercial, interna- tional. and ethical considerations.

The recommendations are unequivocal. It