NATURE VOL. 236 APRIL 7 1972 287 papers comes forward now. The indexes references), more satisfactory, for the (author and subject), which fill thirty­ subject matter is grouped into several five pages, are commendably detailed. very useful tables (for example, poly­ This is a book of outstanding merit molecular effects in absorption spectro­ and a milestone on the road which scopy, radiative decay of excited Lauge Koch and others pursued and states, and so on), continuing the still follow : "to know and see always format established in the previous a little more of Greenland's geology". volume of the series. There is also a J. W. COWIE general discussion of progress in the area of photophysical processes, with valuable commentary and assessment of key contributions reported during the year. The short third part on co­ Glaciation ordination complexes is in the form of Glacier Ice. By Austin Post and Ed­ a discussion with editorial com­ ward R. LaChapelle. Pp. 110 (130 mentary. photographs). (University of Washing­ The CS volume is subdivided into ton: Seattle and London, 1971.) $20. smaller sections than the Turro volume THIS book captures both the magnifi­ the Ross Ice Shelf. The authc:s are and provides a detailed discussion of cent alpine scenery of glacier covered primarily "mountain" glaciologists, the contents of the literature for the mountains and the fascination of however, and more than ninety per cent period covered, including experimental nature, manifest sometimes in well of their photographs deal with pheno­ design, primary data including many ordered glacier patterns and at others mena in mountain regions. They have tables, graphs and spectra, kinetic in the chaotic jumble of an ice fall or done an excellent job which can be schemes, rate equations, and the main the jagged penitents of a high snow­ recommended both as an aid to teach­ arguments presented in the original field in Chile. The regular bowed ing and especially to those who have paper, with critical commentary. Thus curves of the ogives, the long straight been fascinated by seeing a few glaciers the CS survey is far more comprehen­ medial moraines typical of most gla­ in nature and wish to learn more for sive than the Turro survey, and includes ciers, or the whorled moraines of a their own satisfaction. sufficient background on most topics to surging glacier all call out for an G. DE Q. RoBIN provide a context for discussion of explanation. recent papers, whereas this is almost Such explanations are provided by never the case in the Turro volume. A two experienced glaciologists with a reader relatively non-conversant with special knowledge of the mountains and Photochemistry the background literature in photo­ glaciers of the north-west of North Annual Survey of Photochemistry. By chemistry could benefit from the CS America. Austin Post is well known for Nicholas J. Turro et al. Vol. 3. Pp. x+ survey, but would be generally at sea in his use of aerial photography as an aid 382. (Wiley: New York and London, the Turro survey, except perhaps in to glaciological investigations, while August 1971.) £9.50. Part II. The introduction and general Edward LaChapelle of the University review of the year in the CS volume of Washington, Seattle, has made many Photochemistry. Vol. 2. Senior reporter, by Bryce-Smith, the senior reporter, is contributions to the study of ice crys­ D. Bryce-Smith. Pp. xvii+817. (The interesting as an overview of progress tals, avalanches and glacier flow. Chemical Society: London, May 1971.) in photochemistry by an acknowledged Together they have produced a book £12. expert. Both volumes include author of character. THESE are continuing volumes of two indices. Although Glacier Ice would grace annual series which survey one year's I personally refer to the CS volumes any coffee table with its superb black­ literature in the popular area of photo­ more frequently than to the Turro sur­ and-white photographs in a large land­ chemistry. The volumes do not quite veys, although both are useful. Because scape format, it is primarily a reference overlap; the survey by Turro et al. they are expensive, it is doubtful book of glacier photographs. These are covers the 1969 literature, while the whether most photochemists will want arranged in sections to illustrate various Chemical Society (CS) volume covers to purchase both volumes, in which aspects or glaciology ranging from the period July 1969-June 1970. case I would recommend the CS survey. glacier formation, mass balance and The Turro book is in three parts. The Professional libraries in laboratories surface features, to the flow of glaciers, first part, which is on organic photo­ and institutions with activity in photo­ surging glaciers, moraine formation, chemistry and contains 1,071 references, chemistry should preferably have both glacial landscapes and differences in provides requisite coverage but is in volumes in their collection. appearance of temperate, sub-polar and many ways unsatisfactory. There is DAVID I. SCHUSTER polar glaciers. usually only a brief summary comment Accompanying the photographic on each paper, which gives little indica­ material is an authoritative text which, tion of the detailed content of the paper without use of mathematics or complex (for example, reaction conditions, quan­ physical terminology, describes the tum yields, rate constants, basis for High Magnetic Fields phenomena in the photographs. A use­ mechanistic conclusions and so on) ful glossary of glacier terms is except in rare instances where actual Pulsed High Magnetic Fields: Physical included. data are presented There is an unfor­ Effects and Generation Methods Con­ One can only make minor criticisms tunately large number of typographical cerning Pulsed Fields up to the Mega­ oersted Level. By Heinz Knoepfel. Pp. of this production. Perhaps more use errors, mostly in structures. It is useful of diagrams (there is only one) to ex­ as a quick superficial view of what has xxii + 372. (North-Holland: Amster­ plain phenomena would have helped the been done, and the interested reader can dam and London, 1970.) £8.40. layman. The brief section on the Ant­ find the details in the references. I find THE production of intense steady mag­ arctic does not succeed in giving the Part II by Leonard and Hammond, netic fields is, and always has been, a reader a feel for the vast scale of the which deals with photophysical pro­ costly business. It is therefore not sur­ phenomena, especially in relation to cesses of organic compounds (1,052 prising that the pattern which has © 1972 Nature Publishing Group.