`One of the basic principles of physical chemistry concerns the characterization of compounds. Indeed, physical chemists make good collaborators with synthetic organic chemists in that the physikers know how to study the new compounds that the organikers continually synthesize. [...] In his short introductory chapter, the author discusses why one would want to characterize compounds, ... Read moreat what point during development should the compounds be characterized, and what methodologies constitute charcterization investigations. In the next two concise and tidy chapters, the authors outlines a number of basic concepts associated with themordynamics and kinetics. [...] So who should buy this book? There is no doubt that the volume constitutes an excellent source of information for graduate students because its broad focus cuts across so many fields that it can serve as a supplement to various courses. The empirical aspects will be useful to pharamceutical workers who need a shortcut to a viable experimental protocol and who do not have the time to research the literature.' Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 8:3 (2003) Show Less