Great Discoveries By Young Chemists. By James Kendall. Nelson. 231 pp.

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27374, 12 June 1954, Page 3

Great Discoveries By Young Chemists. By James Kendall. Nelson. 231 pp.

Professor Kendall has used the material for some lectures given to a young audience at the Royal Institution to form the basis of an extremely interesting book for - iris and boys, which will probably be borrowed and enjoyed by their parents. The. aim of the lectures was, in the author’s own words “to show what a predominant part young chemists have played in the development of their science. It was with some surprise that I finally recognised that, there are, indeed, very few significant discoveries in chemistry not due to ‘juveniles’.” Professor Kendall sketches the careers and early researches of a number of scientists including such well known figures as Madame Curie, Michael Faraday and Sir Humphrey Davy and to round off the picture touches in each case on the scientist’s later work. The book is a judicious blend of biography and technical fact: there is not so much chemistry to daunt the less .wellinformed, and sufficient detail to satisfy the appetite of the reader with a growing interest in, and knowledge of, chemistry.. The book is extremely well produced with an interesting collection of little known photographs, including many of well known men in their early years. Professor Kendall obviously knows how to hold the interest of a young audience.