Since the early 1930's, Soviet chemists have played a lead ing role in the study of unfamiliar oxidation state compounds of the peroxide, superoxide, and ozonide types. Interest in the alkali and alkaline earth metal derivatives is now widespread and diverse, and numerous practical applications of these com pounds have evolved, ranging from their use as air revitaliza tion materials in space cabins to their use in compounding semiconductor materials. Professor Vol'nov is eminently qualified to write this monograph since for many years he has been a leading investi gator and prolific writer in...