Structure and chemistry of crystalline solids. By B. E. Douglas and S.‐M. Ho. Pp. x + 346. New York: Springer Science and Business Media, 2006. Price (hardback) EUR 99.95, USD 129.00, GBP 77.00. ISBN 978‐0‐387‐26147‐8.

The art of solving a structure from powder diffraction data has developed rapidly over the last ten years to the point where numerous crystal structures, both organic and inorganic, have been solved directly from powder data. However, it is still an art and, in contrast to its single-crystal equivalent, is far from routine. The art lies not only in the correct application of a specific experimental technique or computer program but also in the selection of the optimal path for the problem at hand. Written and edited by experts active in the field, and covering both the fundamental and applied aspects of structure solution from powder diffraction data, this book guides both novices and experienced practitioners alike through the maze of possibilities. Readership: Graduate students, lecturers and researchers in crystallography, physical chemistry, and materials science; all practitioners of powder diffraction in academia and industry; chemists and chemical analysts in the chemical, materials, and pharmaceutical industry.