The chemical bond in inorganic chemistry. The bond valence model. By I. David Brown. Pp. 278. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. Price (paperback) GBP 35.00. ISBN 0-19-929881-5.

This is the first paperback edition. The bond valence model is becoming increasingly popular in fields such as materials science and mineralogy. Unlike other models of inorganic bonding, it is simple, intuitive and predictive. Many applications are reviewed. Contents: 1. Historical introduction, 2. The ionic bond, 3. The bond valence model, 4. Anion and cation bonding strengths, 5. Liquids, 6. Cation coordination number, 7. Hydrogen bonds, 8. Electronically distorted structures, 9. Physical properties of bonds, 10. Space and space groups, 11. Modelling inorganic structures, 12. Lattice-induced strain, 13. Applications, 14. Chemical implications of the bond valence model. Appendices.