Book excerpt: From nuclear dating methods to nucleosynthesis in stars. it's all here. The first practical, comprehensive guide to the science of radiochemistry. Radiochemistry and Nuclear Methods of Analysis is the first thorough and up-to-date look for the nonspecialist at the fundamentals of radiochemistry as well as the full range of advances currently made possible by the applications of radioactivity. Without an emphasis on high-level mathematics or abstruse theoretical physics, the book provides a clear, fundamentals-first look at radioactivity, the principles of radioactive decay, and nuclear reactions, as well as: * Modern radiochemical instrumentation * Nuclear dating methods * Methods for the production of radionuclides * The use of tracers and nuclear methods of analysis * The origin of the chemical elements * The biological effects of radiation The book's user-friendly instructional format, designed for both beginning and advanced students, includes numerous end-of-chapter problems ranging from the simple to complex which familiarize the reader with equations and concepts in the text. References to recent monographs, available in most college and university libraries, provide direction to more specialized literature. Invaluable to both students and professionals in search of a practical grasp of the subject, Radiochemistry and Nuclear Methods of Analysis is a clear introduction to radioactivity and radionuclear chemistry's principles, methods, and applications.