New Reference Book:

Theilheimer’s Synthetic Methods of Organic Chemistry Volume 68
William Theilheimer
Basel; New York : Karger, 2005
Call#: Ref QD262 .S94

From Karger Publishers:

“Published biannually, these books provide a key research tool for accessing synthetic methods back to 1945 with updated information on new developments in synthetic organic chemistry. They are based on an original presentation of data according to reaction type.

Readers can

• gain access to specific methodologies
• keep abreast of developments in established reactions
• browse for information in a generic sense

500 informative abstracts per volume describe new reactions and synthetic methods reported in the world-wide scientific literature. Each abstract is introduced with a concise title, followed by a clear depiction of a typical reaction, the corresponding experimental section, and comments on scope, limitation and any specific advantages.

Numerous supplementary references provide updates on established procedures. Each Theilheimer volume is supported by an in-depth, heavily cross-referenced Subject Index, uniquely devised for functional group retrieval, and enabling the user to locate reactions from both the product and starting material aspects.

The current volume in this renowned series is based on the journal literature published up to March 2005. A Reviews section (inclusive of data published up to September 2005) is also included, and the volume is introduced with a Trends section focusing on the very recent developments which will form the basis of volume 69.”

New Reference Book:

Hurricanes: A Reference Handbook
Patrick J. Fitzpatrick
2nd ed
Santa Barbara, CA:ABC-CLIO, 2006
Call# Ref QC944 .F58 2006

From ABC-CLIO:

“From killer storms to their implications for the insurance premiums of U.S. residents, this much-awaited update explores the ecological, social, and economic consequences of hurricanes and their effects on both coastal and inland areas.

Twenty-six people dead, $26.5 billion worth of damage, and eight insurance companies left bankrupt—such was the impact of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the most costly storm in U.S. history. How can coastal residents best prepare for the threat posed by such awesome phenomena? What is the likely impact of global climate change on the frequency and fury of hurricane activity?

In September 1776 the so-called “Hurricane of Independence” hit Canada and the northeastern United States, leading to 4,170 deaths. In 1900 around 8,000 perished in the Galveston Hurricane and the resulting tidal surge. Coastal defenses, early warning systems, and evacuation procedures have improved enormously. However, hurricanes still pose a potentially devastating threat to life and property, especially in coastal regions of the United States and the Caribbean. What causes these extreme storms? How can we best defend ourselves?

Hurricanes: A Reference Handbook explores the historical, ecological, economic, and social dimensions of hurricanes in North America. Synthesizing literature from a wide range of authoritative sources, this book is an invaluable guide to hurricanes and their impact and is essential reading for students, scientists, mariners, and coastal residents alike.”