744 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS of detergents and this is handled in a suc- cinct and informative way. These chapters are followed by one on application and formulation of detergents where various helpful starting formulas for various types of finished products are presented. Most of these deal with straightforward de- tergent applications however, there is a section on toilet preparations such as shampoos, bubble baths and household and cosmetic soaps. The final chapter, which deals with a brief exposition of analytical methods used in the detergent field, is most noteworthy for a schematic procedure for the analysis of detergents. In summary, this is an excellent book dealing with the practical aspects of the preparation, use and characterization of synthetic detergents and is intended pri- marily for technologists in this field. Its use would be limited for most cosmetic chemists except for the reasons cited pre- viously.--ROBERT MARCHISOTTO--Bio- services Information Service, Philadelphia, Pa.