This book is a comprehensive account of the optical properties of minerals, correlating them with structure and composition, and briefly mentioning diagnostic criteria. It includes a section on paragenesis and discussions of crystal chemistry, which are particularly valuable. Each description is followed by a critical selection of references. The general nature of the production is pleasing, though there are some minor errors, such as incorrect indices in crystal figures and the interchange of 'fast' and 'slow' on page ix. The distinction in the legend to Figure 29 is unclear, and Figure 68 shows decreasing birefringence with increasing alkali content in beryl, contrary to the text. The minima for refractive indices and birefringence for beryl are inconsistent. These are minor criticisms of an important work, with the remaining volumes expected to be of interest to petrologists. The high price, however, makes the series inaccessible to most individuals. The book "Biography of Physics" by Prof. George Gamow is well-regarded as a physicist and popularizer of science. It is a balanced work between a scientific text and a popular account, though the author's intention to entertain may distract the uninitiated. The book provides a clear perspective on the works of Archimedes, Kepler, and Galileo, and includes a detailed discussion of Newton's Principia. The chapters on heat, light, and electricity are sound, and the treatment of relativity is excellent. The later chapters on modern physics are engaging, though the lighter side of individual physicists may not persuade newcomers to the subject. The book is a delightful story for those already familiar with physics, but may not be the best introduction for those new to the subject. "Linear Differential Operators" by Prof. Cornelius Lanczos is a unique book with distinctive features, particularly for mathematicians working at the intersection of pure and applied mathematics. It emphasizes the connection between analysis, algebra, and numerical processes, and discusses applications in physics and electrical engineering. The first five chapters focus on mathematical developments, including interpolation, harmonic analysis, matrix calculus, function spaces, and Green's functions. The book covers communication problems, Sturm-Liouville problems, boundary-value problems, and the numerical solution of trajectory problems. A notable omission is the lack of references to original papers. The book is written in a clear and discursive style, suitable for mathematically mature readers, and will be attractive to graduate students.This book is a comprehensive account of the optical properties of minerals, correlating them with structure and composition, and briefly mentioning diagnostic criteria. It includes a section on paragenesis and discussions of crystal chemistry, which are particularly valuable. Each description is followed by a critical selection of references. The general nature of the production is pleasing, though there are some minor errors, such as incorrect indices in crystal figures and the interchange of 'fast' and 'slow' on page ix. The distinction in the legend to Figure 29 is unclear, and Figure 68 shows decreasing birefringence with increasing alkali content in beryl, contrary to the text. The minima for refractive indices and birefringence for beryl are inconsistent. These are minor criticisms of an important work, with the remaining volumes expected to be of interest to petrologists. The high price, however, makes the series inaccessible to most individuals. The book "Biography of Physics" by Prof. George Gamow is well-regarded as a physicist and popularizer of science. It is a balanced work between a scientific text and a popular account, though the author's intention to entertain may distract the uninitiated. The book provides a clear perspective on the works of Archimedes, Kepler, and Galileo, and includes a detailed discussion of Newton's Principia. The chapters on heat, light, and electricity are sound, and the treatment of relativity is excellent. The later chapters on modern physics are engaging, though the lighter side of individual physicists may not persuade newcomers to the subject. The book is a delightful story for those already familiar with physics, but may not be the best introduction for those new to the subject. "Linear Differential Operators" by Prof. Cornelius Lanczos is a unique book with distinctive features, particularly for mathematicians working at the intersection of pure and applied mathematics. It emphasizes the connection between analysis, algebra, and numerical processes, and discusses applications in physics and electrical engineering. The first five chapters focus on mathematical developments, including interpolation, harmonic analysis, matrix calculus, function spaces, and Green's functions. The book covers communication problems, Sturm-Liouville problems, boundary-value problems, and the numerical solution of trajectory problems. A notable omission is the lack of references to original papers. The book is written in a clear and discursive style, suitable for mathematically mature readers, and will be attractive to graduate students.