Book Review

Harmon, Joseph E.; Gross, Alan G. The Craft of Scientific Communication; University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 2010. $55. (Hardcover) 240 p. ISBN: 978-0-226-31661-1; $20 (Paper) ISBN: 978-022-31662-8; $7 rent, $20 (Electronic), 978-022-631663-5.

Although little information is given on writing for chemistry, a good text and reference for writing and presenting science to both scientific and public audiences. Crafting of a scientific article is described followed by four examples. Research proposals and communications to a lay audience are described next followed by a discussion of style based on how good scientists actually write. Not all sentences need to be short in active mode nor do long sentences need be split (no mention of the "Fog Index", recommended by some technical editors for "executive summaries"). Method descriptions are similar to Julia Childs’ recipes. Exercises, with answers follow each chapter. Another deficiency is the lack of mention of poor, cluttered, low contrast power point slides. (Preciously reviewed by J. Kovac, J. Chem. Educ., 87(11), 1139-1140, 2010, doi: 10.1021/ed100882.)

Robert E. Buntrock
Buntrock Associates
16 Willow Drive
Orono, ME 04473
207-866-7930
buntrock16@myfairpoint.net