“A popular account of the new theory of matter and the relations of the new physics and new chemistry to other sciences.... The discovery of Becquerel and the Curies and its consequences form mainly the subject matter of the book. The author treats of current conceptions, the periodic law, gaseous ions, natural radio-activity, the resolution of the atom, inorganic evolution, and the new knowledge and old problems. There are numerous illustrations.”—N. Y. Times.
“Although some little fault might be found with the arrangement of the book, Prof. Duncan has succeeded in his main object. When allowance is made for the faults here enumerated, the book remains the best of its kind that we have read.”
| + + — | Ath. 1905, 1: 787. Je. 24. 1450w. | |
| + + — | Critic. 47: 287. S. ‘05. 100w. |
“It is not too much to say that no intelligent person can afford to permit this book to go unread. We have failed to find in the book any important inaccuracy, despite the fact that the field covered is so large and the subject-matter so difficult.”
| + + + | Educ. R. 30: 310. O. ‘05. 740w. |
“The style out-flammarions Flammarion in its vividness and its occasional verse quotations. So also is its all-embracing scope an expression of the author’s literary enthusiasm rather than of his scientific earnestness.”
| + + — | Engin. N. 53: 641. Je. 15, ‘05. 490w. | |
| + + + | Ind. 58: 1015. My. 4, ‘05. 360w. |
“This work is the first attempt which I have seen to bring into suitable compass, in an intelligible manner, the various problems which are occupying the attention of many physicists and chemists. There are few errors, and these are unimportant. Whether the author might not have omitted much fine writing is a question of taste.” W. R.
| + + — | Nature. 72: 241. Jl. 13, ‘05. 1310w. | |
| N. Y. Times. 10: 121. F. 25, ‘05. 300w. |
“His descriptions and explanations are clear even to a layman.”