Dec, 1958.
] BOOK R E V I E W S
7. Theory of the Optica lProperties of
Imperfections in Nonmetals--D. L. Dexter,
pp. 355-411--This is a theoretical account
of the current state of understanding of the
optical properties, with the presentation of
the important equations and formalisms
utilized in this field. In a sense it completes
and brings up to date the 1954 review by
Seitz (R.M.P. 26, 7, 1954).
HENRI AMAR
The Franklin Institute Laboratories
THE SOLID STATE FOR ENGINEERS, by
Maurice J. Sinnott, 522 pages, diagrams,
6 X 9 in. New York, John Wiley & Sons,
Inc., 1958. Price, $12.50.
The variety of materials and processes
with which today's engineers work requires
such a broad knowledge of the physical sci-
ences t h a t a grasp of the basic principles of
the factors controlling the structure and
properties of materials is a prime necessity.
This necessity has been observed for some
time by Professor Sinnott and prompted
this publication. As the author stated,
he is attempting to bridge the gap between
a textbook on engineering materials and one
on solid state physics. He has presented the
subject matter in 21 chapters based upon
generally accepted principles of structure,
properties, and energy relationships.
Each chapter is supplemented with a
bibliography directed to the more detailed
and basic considerations of the subject.
Illustrative problems in each section are
very helpful in learning the principles
involved.
Some explanations of broad theories as
presented by the author are subject to dif-
ferent interpretations and thus controversial,
however, the intent was to give the student
a working theory. An example of this is
the comment that "the purer the metal, the
lower its strength."
In attempting to cover such a broad field
as the solid state in one volume, the author
necessarily had to be brief and arbitrary.
The last section on miscellaneous surface
phenomena is much too brief. Possibly at
this stage the author was exhausted. How-
ever, the importance of this extensive subject
is becoming so great t h a t it is now the basis
for an International Congress of Catalysis
53t
and an International Conference on'Surface
Activity.
In general the topics are presented in a
logical development and in a style t h a t is
easy to read. The book certainly fulfills
the author's intent to give the student en-
gineer an introduction to the many facets of
the solid state. The practicing engineer who
wishes to develop a more fundamental
understanding of factors affecting the proper-
ties of materials can benefit from its study
and will also find the volume a useful addition
to his library.
R. S. DALTER
The Franklin Institute Laboratories
STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION OF THE STARS,
by Martir~ Schwarzschild. 296 pages,
diagrams, 6 X 9 in. Princeton, Princeton
University Press, 1958. Price, $6.00.
This book fills a critical need in modern
astronomical literature. Summarized in it
are many of the stimulating developments
which have so vastly changed the study
of stellar interiors. These developments
originated with the introduction of nuclear
physics into astronomy and much of the
work has been practicable only because of the
existence of the large electronic computers.
The book is divided into eight chapters.
The first describes the observational founda-
tion on which the theoretical work is based
and which furnishes the tests for it. Most
of this work is the product of the last decade
and was made possible chiefly by the develop-
ment of the multiplier photocell which has
made possible precise measurements of faint
stars.
The second chapter is concerned with the
basic physical laws applied in the study of
the state of stellar interiors. Topics con-
sidered are hydrostatic and thermal equi-
librium, radiative and convective energy
transport, the equation of state, opacity,
the appropriate nuclear reactions, and
conditions of the surface layers. The third
chapter describes the mathematical tech-
niques needed for the construction of stellar
models concluding with the description of
numerical integration.
The following four chapters describe in
considerable detail the methods of construc-
ing various stellar models. Chapter four
deals with the stars in their initial state
532 BOOK REVIEWS [J. F. I.

after thermonuclear reactions have become CALCULUS OF VARIATIONSAND ITS APPLICA-

the source of energy generation. For this TION, Proceedings of the Eighth Sym-
purpose, the stars are divided into "upper posium in Applied Mathematics of the
main sequence," "lower main sequence," American Mathematical Society, edited by
and subdwarfs. The first division is made Lawrence M. Graves. 153 pages, graphs,
because of the difference in the energy 61 10 in. New York, McGraw-HiU Book
liberating process in the two cases and also Co., Inc., 1958. Price, $7.50.
because of the necessity of dealing with deep This volume, the eighth in a series of
convection zones in the latter case. The proceedings of symposia in applied mathe-
apsidal motion test is developed in some matics, continues in the tradition established
detail and the chapter concludes with a by its seven predecessors. It contains the
description of the pre-main sequence contrac- papers presented at the Eighth Symposium
tion. in Applied Mathematics, sponsored jointly
The fifth and sixth chapters deal with the by the American Mathematical Society
models of stars in the early and advanced and the Office of Ordnance Research on
evolutionary phases respectively. Chapter April 12-13, 1956, at the University of
seven is concerned with the final state when Chicago. Topics discussed by some of
the stars presumably have become white today's outstanding mathematicians include
dwarfs. The last chapter summarizes the Elasticity, Plasticity, Dynamic Programing,
conclusions that can be drawn from the Hydrodynamics, Diffraction, Conformal
model sequences and describes the story of Mapping, Functional Analysis and Bounds
stellar evolution as seen at present. for Eigenvalues.
This book is not for the amateur, and there Eric Reissner, in his paper, "On Varia-
are portions which even the professional tional Principles in Elasticity," demonstrates
not working in the field of stellar interiors that Green's minimum principle for displace-
may not wish to read in full detail. However, ment and Castigliano's maximum principle
the construction is such that the first and for stresses are both direct consequences of
last chapters can be read with profit without a more general principle for stresses and
the necessity of following all the interven- displacements.
ing discussion. Certain topics--for example, An interesting paper by D. C. Drucker,
the evolution of close binary systems--are "Variational Principles in the Mathematical
deliberately omitted, either because they Theory of Plasticity," considers Perfect-
have been adequately covered elsewhere or plasticity theory and both the incrementally
because the current state of our knowledge linear and the incrementally non-linear
is in too great state of change to make their theories for work-hardening materials. Coun-
inclusion suitable. terparts of the minlmum-potential-energy and
This work performs an outstanding service minimum-complementary-energy theorems
in gathering in one volume an authoratative are derived for stress strain relations of great
summary of work scattered widely through- generality. Absolute-mlnlmum principles
out the literature. The treatment is rigorous rather than relative ones are established.
but the author never loses sight of the basic Commenting on Professor Drucker's paper,
physical principles so that, even in the details P. G. Hodge, Jr., in a special note, discusses
of model construction, the reader can keep the difference between two viewpoints, viz.,
in view the basic considerations governing minimum principles and variational principles
the computations. The only criticism that with respect to the physical sciences. In
can be made is that the style is so clear and a similar note, H. F. Weinberger com-
the descriptions so lucid that the casual ments on the paper "Stationary Principles
reader, despite explicit warnings, may well for Forced Vibrations in Elasticity and
take away the impression that in all phases Electromagnetism" by J. L. Synge.
of stellar evolution we are on firmer ground M. M. Schiffer discusses the technique of
than in reality we are. variational methods in conformal mapping
FRANK BRADSIIAWWOOD indicating its usefulness in existence problems
The University of Pennsylvania and extremum problems. The prolific Rich-