MAX PLANCK. Introduction to the Mechanics of Deformable Bodies. Translated from the German by L. Ya. Shtrum, edited by Prof. N. P. Kasterin. GIZ, Moscow—Leningrad, 1929. 207 pp. Price 2 rubles 50 kopecks.

“Introduction to the Mechanics of Deformable Bodies” serves as a natural continuation of the same author’s booklet “Introduction to General Mechanics,” published by GIZ in Russian translation and widely disseminated as an excellent aid in theoretical mechanics.

The book under review contains the foundations of the mechanics of deformable bodies, necessary for the further detailed study of the theory of elasticity and hydrodynamics. The contents of the book are divided into three parts. In the first part are presented the general kinematic and dynamic laws of motion of deformable bodies; the second part—infinitesimal deformations—contains elements of the theory of elasticity and acoustics; in the third part, bearing the title “finite deformations,” the foundations of the hydrodynamics of ideal and viscous fluids are set forth.

The monographs and textbooks belonging to M. Planck, while brief and elegant in exposition, are striking for the richness of their content, the depth of thought, and the breadth of scientific synthesis. All these qualities are also inherent in the book under review. Despite its relatively small size, the book embraces extensive material and gives the reader solid information in the field of the mechanics of deformable bodies, which may serve as entirely sufficient preparation for the reading of specialized works on hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, and the theory of elasticity, as well as for independent scientific work. The exposition is distinguished by rigor, clarity, and elegance, and does not require of the reader any special mathematical preparation beyond the limits of the basic facts of differential and integral calculus. Particularly noteworthy is the author’s skill in presenting, with astonishing simplicity and vividness, questions which in the usual exposition require complex mathematical derivations that often obscure the physical picture of the phenomena, so that physics is sacrificed to mathematics. In M. Planck’s book a harmonious combination has been achieved between the physical content and the mathematical apparatus, which, for all its rigor, does not divert the reader’s attention from the physical side of the exposition.

The translation of the book has been carried out carefully and accurately. The language of the translation is quite satisfactory, apart from a few minor stylistic inaccuracies caused by the translator’s desire to make the translation as close as possible to the original.

In view of the acute shortage in Russian scientific literature of works containing an introduction to the mechanics of deformable bodies, the appearance of M. Planck’s excellent book in Russian translation must be welcomed in every way.

This book may be successfully recommended to all who wish to study theoretical mechanics thoroughly, as well as to persons in technical professions who wish to supplement and deepen their knowledge in this field.

The book is very well produced; there are almost no misprints. The price of the book is low and quite affordable.

N. Buseovich.