With his book Physical Methods in Bioinorganic Chemistry: Spectroscopy and Magnetism, editor Larry Que certainly lives up to his reputation as an outstanding teacher/scholar in the bioinorganic field. In this timely publication, Que leads a team of notable international experts in bioinorganic physical techniques to produce a well-organized, information-rich book with chapters that are enjoyable to read. A nice integration of chemistry, biology, and physics, this book covers all the popular bioinorganic techniques: molecular magnetism and electronic absorption, resonance Raman, electron paramagnetic resonance, electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM), electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), circular dichroism (CD), magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer, paramagnetic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and X-ray absorption spectroscopies.

With a depth more than sufficient for a graduate text, Physical Methods in Bioinorganic Chemistry presents material in each chapter in a relatively consistent manner ideal for student learning. Each chapter assumes a working knowledge of group theory and it is within this context that theoretical principles of the technique and later, data interpretation are discussed. In many cases, additional information on relevant select topics (e.g. spin-orbit coupling, the Heisenberg-Dirac-VanVleck Hamiltonian, and the nuclear Overhauser effect) is provided in appendixes. After establishing the basic theoretical principles, the authors guide the reader through data analysis using simple systems, highlighting current synthetic models. In the case of Mössbauer spectroscopy, clever use of a fictitious compound allows the author to "adjust the parameters in such a way that [enables the reader] to see the crucial features of the Mössbauer spectra of high-spin Fe(III) in one example". The transition to understanding more complex biomolecular examples is then relatively easy. Throughout the chapters, the importance of relying on multiple techniques not only for complete interpretation but also for theory development is emphasized. For example, the spin Hamiltonian approach is appropriately used to allow comparison of information from different techniques such as EPR, Mössbauer, and NMR spectroscopies and molecular magnetism. Thus, the symbiotic nature and collaborative spirit so true to this field are naturally conveyed throughout the text. Two capstone case studies (Cu_A Site of Cytochrome c Oxidase and Isopenicillin N Synthase), numerous references, and an appendix of study problems make this text an essential classroom tool for graduate faculty and students. The study problems focus on only three of the nine technique-based chapters; I hope that more will be made available in future editions.

Physical Methods in Bioinorganic Chemistry is not only for graduate instruction, however. As Que states in his preface, "[this book] is also a source of information for scientists not previously trained in spectroscopy and magnetism who find their research projects evolving in a direction that requires such physical methods." True to this claim, researchers will find that in addition to the rich theoretical content, many chapters also include experimental aspects. Those of you who are fans of Andrew Derome's Modern NMR Techniques for Chemistry Research (1) will note that brief descriptions of the instrumentation and practical aspects for obtaining data are presented, often in an engaging Deromesque style. For example, the chapter NMR of Paramagnetic Metal Centers contains a section entitled "I Just Want a Spectrum!" that says it all. With user-friendly language, the authors provide handy tips for obtaining paramagnetic NMR, resonance Raman, CD, and X-ray absorption spectra as well as for measuring molecular magnetism and susceptibility. As with the study-problems noted above, an extension of this topic to techniques in all chapters would be welcomed in future editions.

Lastly, undergraduate faculty teaching either bioinorganic chemistry or instrumental analysis should make room for Physical Methods in Bioinorganic Chemistry on their shelves. More often than not, students taking my special topics bioinorganic chemistry course are enraptured by these seemingly foreign techniques and clamor (especially in course evaluations!) for more coverage. Undergraduate faculty using either Jim Cowan's Inorganic Biochemistry-An Introduction (2) or Lippard and Berg's Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry (3) will find this to be an important supplement and reference book. Likewise, for those of you who would like to shore up your instrumental methods course with bioinorganic applications, this book is a must!

Literature Cited

1. Derome, A. E. Modern NMR Techniques for Chemistry Research; Pergamon: New York, 1987.
2. Cowan, J. A. Inorganic Biochemistry, An Introduction, 2nd ed.; VCH: New York, 1997.
3. Lippard, S. J.; Berg, J. M. Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry; University Science Books: Mill Valley, CA, 1994.