GENETICS MANUAL
Current Theory, Concepts, Terms
by George P Rédei (University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA)
The 1,150 pages of this manual contain more information than any other comparable book. It is not a glossary or dictionary or review because all concepts are explained, not just defined or mentioned. The manual covers the latest developments on the subject that are usually missing in textbooks and monographs. The book suceeded in covering a broad range of topics in modern genetics, cell and molecular biology, biometry, etc, without glossing over the classical foundations. While the hundreds of simple and clear illustrations make it an excellent classroom tool, the cross-references among the entries tie the contents into an extremely useful comprehensive textbook. Most of the biometrical procedures are presented by worked-out examples in a plain form and effectively reaches out to non-geneticists without compromising high scientific standards. The WEB and email addresses of databases and other sources of detailed information are very helpful. A well selected list of about 1000 references, published mainly in the last couple of years, completes the volume. The moderate price makes it a best buy, and an excellent choice to own for students, teachers, scientists, physicians, lawyers and all educated persons who cannot afford an entire library yet wish to be well informed.
TOPOLOGICAL QUANTUM NUMBERS IN NON-RELATIVISTIC PHYSICS
edited by David J Thouless ( University of Washington)
Topological quantum numbers are distinguished from quantum numbers based on symmetry because they are insensitive to the imperfections of the systems in which they are observed. They have become very important in precision measurements in recent years, and provide the best measurements of voltage and electrical resistance. The book begins with Dirac's argument for the quantisation of electric charge, continuing with discussions on the helium superfluids; flux quantisation and the Josephson effect in superconductors; the Hall effects; solids and liquid crystals; and topological phase transitions. The accompanying reprints include some of the classic experimental and theoretical papers in this area. Physicists – both experimental and theoretical – who are interested in the topic will find this book an invaluable reference.
S CHANDRASEKHAR: THE MAN BEHIND THE LEGEND
edited by Kameshwar C Wali (Syracuse University, USA)
"... an album of verbal portraits of an austere, proud, cultured and deeply humane astrophysicist."
New Scientist, Feb 1998
"The present effort is a fine one, and I recommend the book with enthusiasm."
Physics World, 1998
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar–known simply as Chandra throughout the scientific world has become a legendary figure for his prolific contributions to physics, astrophysics, and applied mathematics. Before his death in 1995, Chandra had forbidden a memorial of the conventional sort, celebrating his life. This book, which contains some thirty articles by his former students, his associates, and his colleagues, is in a sense a memorial volume. It says little about Chandra's great scientific achievements, but shows his human side and the various facets of his brilliant personality, his incredible memory, his wit, and the breadth of his knowledge of art, music, literature, and the humanities in general. The contributors to this highly interesting book are among the few who broke the seemingly forbidden barrier surrounding the very private Chandra and came to know him well in one context or another. They include Lalitha Chandrasekhar, Roger Penrose, Richard H Dalitz, J W Cronin, Robert G Sachs, Abhay Ashtekar, and Robert Wald.
