5 comments about Cosmic Motors: Spaceships, Cars and Pilots of Another Galaxy.

1. I really enjoyed Cosmic-Motors. As a 2d/3d artist I was inspired by the concepts that Simon created and his use of photography, 3d and 2d apps to bring his work to life. From scketches to final renders, his work is amazing and inspirational.



2. This is a great book for anyone looking for inspiration in the creative design field. The renderings were out of this world. I hope to see some of these creations in sci-fi movies in the future. I know the car on the cover is being used in a comercial for Autodesk "Digital Prototyping"



3. The rendered models of the ships in this book are amazing. What I especially liked seeing was the developmental sketches and the thought processes behind the vehicles.
   
   It's very inspiring. It makes you want to sketch and go out and learn Maya.



4. Design Studio Press is always putting out some great books and this one is no exception. This book is filled with some pretty sweet vehicle designs and shows you step by step the process of coming up with such cool designs. Each designer gives you insight on their process and how to solve problems when you're in a rut. I highly recommend this book to any aspiring concept artist or any designer for that matter that is interested in expanding their ideas as well as their library.



5. what to say what to say... this book is very high quality book, glossy full color pages, thick ones to boot! my only qualms in this book is that when i bought it based on reviews i read i thought it was a concept book but instead it looks like a finished product (if they were to exist). i notice they take one idea and milk the ish out of it for many pages at a time, the few concept pages i saw were fantastic. its a great book if you are looking for a book with many repeating images from different angles on some pretty interesting designs in full CG then this is for you. if you want something with a little more concept in mind more rough around the edges and more diversity, then maybe you need to find a different book. or call me maybe ill sell it to ya! ;)
   
   -gianni

No comments about Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us).

5 comments about How Cars Work.

1. I changed jobs and became a parts delivery person. The knowledge I have received from the book as helped me in knowing what my customers are talking about and thus can relate messages to the sales staff. For my job and personally, I like knowing what the function of the parts are and where they are located. I am so glad to have the book. It was well written and made learning easy.



2. I like the simplicity of How Cars Work. It has helped me communicate with my auto mechanic and has allowed me to make easy repairs and save money too. I've also been able to diagnose brake problems before they got out of hand.



3. The information was clear and informative. I am glad I bought it. The order also arrived in timely fasion.



4. My grandson is interested in cars & such so I thought he'd like to know what makes them tick. He started high school so this should help.



5. The publisher's blurb on Amazon here is a bit vague on what this book is actually designed to do. I wish they'd published the author's quote on the Amazon description that they printed on the back of the book. It would have been a clue to me not to buy it (so perhaps that is why they didn't include it). So, I'll type it here for those who may also find it a useful clue:
   
   "When I opened my tutoring center I couldn't find enough reading material for my teenage students, especially the boys. So I started writing short descriptions about car parts aimed at improving reading comprehension. I used simple drawings to help students visualize and associate the car parts with words. Eventually I had enough material for a a complete car book and... well... this is it!"
   
   Having read that on the back, I thought, "Well, of course. This book does read just like a collection of definitions for a juvenile mind that doesn't want to learn as much as skim a concept."
   
   When I got this book, I was hoping for a quick overview of the car. A quick read to look at to gain background understanding before jumping into more complicated books, since I know nothing about cars. It didn't help me much.
   
   Yes, it's a quick read, but it's over-simplified. It's like reading a dictionary without seeing the words in context and hoping to retain the words you learn as useful vocabulary. Or it's like reading only the chapter summaries of a text book which are geared not to help you learn the concept, but to jog your memory after you've read the full material and understand it.
   
   Generally, I have no difficulty absorbing technical information, but this book doesn't give you the full context to grasp the concepts behind the list of "car parts". I plan to keep this book in my library as a quick reference dictionary of sorts, but in retrospect, I wish I had not purchased it. It is badly overpriced and not much use for a novice looking for a cohesive understanding of cars.

5 comments about McQueen's Machines: The Cars and Bikes of a Hollywood Icon.

1. I nice book for the Mcqueen collector.
   Most chapters about his cars and a few movie cars.
   One minor point,only one small chapter about his collection of old bikes.
   Easy to read,good pictures.
   I good book to have on your bookshell.



2. Chad McQueen's input and those that were around McQueen make this such an interesting book. I gave it as a gift to someone who was a fan of Steve's. Loved the anecdotes throughout and great photos.



3. My husband is a huge Steve McQueen fan as well as an avid motorcycle fan. He loves Steven Terrance(?) McQueen so much that we have a "Steve McQueen Latrine" in our basement. It is painted in the colors of the Le Mans car. He loved this book! Lots of pictures he hadn't seen before, plus some new tid bits of information. Great book.



4. If you're a McQueen fan and a gearhead this book is a "must have".
   Lots of beatiful pitures and stories behind The Cooler King's machines.
   As a gearhead McQueen had a lot of cars and bikes and his passion is well explained in this book.
   A good choice if you want a deep sight inside his garage and racing career.
   Did you know that the famous McQueen's Speedster and XKSS were sold from the actor only to buy them again later in his life? And did you know that the Buggy in "The Thomas Crown affair" had a Chevelle engine?
   You'll higly appreciate this book.
   
   Marco



5. Great book with lots of photos and information. A MUST for any Steve McQueen fan!

5 comments about How to Rebuild Your Volkswagen air-Cooled Engine (All models, 1961 and up).

1. Truly an invaluable book. I am rebuilding my 1600cc dual port engine with this, and John Muir's "How to Keep You're Volkswagen Alive". This book's numerous pictures, advice, and technical information combined with Muir's common sense and experience is a great combo!



2. I have not used this manual yet, but it appears to have the information I need to maintain my 1971 VW Super beetle convertable show car.



3. The How to Rebuild Your Volkswagen air-Cooled Engine was over my head.



4. This book is fantastic. Its very detailed and gives you the information you need to do this job proficiently.



5. This a well prepared thesis. The details provided by the author are excellent and the reference matterial useful. The photos, black and white, are just too small to see the image and deduce the exact aspect he wishes to display.

5 comments about TOYOTA PRODUCTION SYSTEM: Beyond Large-Scale Production.

1. There are many myths around the Toyota Production System (TPS). Ohno Taiichi merits my deepest respects, considering he was able almost a half century ago to observe and learn from others. Considering the simple target given to him, to "catch up with America" he studied in-depth the work of Ford and recognised the idea of copying the US supermarket system for his operational purpose.
   
   The book describes very well what constraints he was given from the owners when Toyota started to get into the automotive business and what path they followed until the first fully operated TPS plant went operational at the 60s.
   
   Many thinkings of Ohno Taiichi are still actual. He is capable of bringing key problems to the point: efficiency gains are worthless until they really lead to cost reduction. Unfortunatelly we all now the opposite from this wisdom - and many "growth-strategies" of companies today are nothing else than to try to increase business with the same workforce. Furthermore the author gives good examples how Toyota handled different issues, as e.g. the syncronization of production with final assembly.
   
   The reader will not find any operational theory or formulas in this book and if you are looking for books teaching you about designing and sizing Pull-systems you should look for books as "Kanban made simple" or similar. TPS is not about installing software than about eliminating everything which is waste and does mainly not contribute to the succes of your business.
   
   Anyway this book is a must read for any readers interested in first hand information about the basis that made TMC what they are today - a business model developed by smart people many years ago and dearing to ask simple questions, to find sound and robust solutions and to steadily develop the system and its people working in it.
   
   My deepest respect to Ohno Taiichi,
   Domo arrigato,
   
   Oliver



2. I got this as a present for my father for his birthday last weekend. He has already started reading it and making notes. It is everything we hoped it would be and met his expectations. I would recommend it for marketing students, teachers, and anyone interested in that type of thing.



3. "Toyota Production System" was published in 1979 in Japanese and, in English in 1988. It is the source material on the toyota production system and, in my view, it is often good to go back to the source. Sadly, I found this book disappointing. The writing style is clunky (perhaps a poor translation) and the book lacks structure; being more of a semi-random collection of points than a development of ideas. Nevertheless there is some interesting stuff in here. The honesty that this is a long slow process (taking Toyota 30+ years) is refreshing, and I hadn't realised that Mr Ohno ranked kanban (with quick changeovers) as the core of the system and essential to success. Often in lean kanban seems to be a bit of a side issue: here it is vital. Also there is an interesting analysis of some of Henry Ford's early writings compared to TPS. This would be good material for a student essay. However, for the philosophy of TPS you will get much more out of "The Toyota Way" or "The Toyota Way Fieldbook"; and for the tools of lean go to "Lean Production Simplified" or the many other books in this area. Overall this book is a bit of a let-down I am sad to say.



4. Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production
   Great tool for understanding basics and roots of TPS



5. A "must read" for anyone in manufacturing. It is the basis for all modern manufacturing, and for any business process or flow. The author describes the two pillars of the Toyota production system as autonomation and just-in-time. He explaines the six rules associated with the kanban. He also describes the seven wastes and the value of asking "Why" five times. The book is very easy and quick reading, and provides a complete backgroung to the Toyota development and success.

5 comments about Engine Management: Advanced Tuning.

1. This is a very good book, well thought out. Easy to read and understand, even for a beginner. Step by step details of what you need to do and check from beginning to end.



2. This is a very informative book for someone just starting out in tuning and gives some pointers for the experienced. I recommend this book to anyone interested in tuning there own vehicles and needs some help getting started.



3. This book is very well written and easy to understand and follow. It starts out explaining the basics of automotive engines, controls, sensors, etc then gets into how these systems interact with each other and then how to look at the different engine paramaters to determine how to alter controls and sensors related to pressures, speeds and temps to increase engine performance. Good read for the novice as well as the advanced tuner.



4. This manual goes into a lot of electronic tuning theory. After you've read it all, you should have a basic knowledge of computer tuning of electronic management sytems. As the book says "If you can tune a carburetor, you can tune EFI".



5. It's not that the title said, when You enter at the point of specific theme of fuel inyection the autor jump to a "lets to a professional technician" or "it's only for expert". I expect more for the book, other books are more complete with the theme.

5 comments about Scooters,Automatic Transmission 50 to 250cc (Hayne's Automotive Repair Manual).

1. This is a DIY book from Haynes - what more is there to say. I didn't give it 5 stars because nothing is perfect - this is very close. A definite "BUY".



2. Well written (just have to get used to some of the English terminology) and well illustrated covering many maintenance items,repairs and overhauls to 2 and 4 stroke, air and liquid cooled scooters. You will need your owners manual for specifications though, as only a few brands are listed. Manual also covers safety items,as well as tool and workshop tips.



3. this book provides all the info you need to disassemble and rebuild most scooter motors as well as tips and methods to make it easier



4. this book almost was what i was looking for i still had a lot of good info tho the shipper sent it out super fast and it showed up faster then i thought it would i very surprised at how fast it got here



5. The Lovely Pearl ET4 on the front cover is not one of the models covered, a bit misleading. If you have one of the later L.E.A.D.E.R. engines, any engine work should be doable, since the ET4 and the LX share the same engine.

5 comments about Welder's Handbook, RevisedHP1513: A Guide to Plasma Cutting, Oxyacetylene, ARC, MIG and TIG Welding.

1. This was just the product he wanted and a whole lot cheaper than he could have gotten it elsewhere!



2. Bought this book in part because I was hoping it would give some insight on plasma cutter selection, use, and other info.
   
   However, in the plasma cutting section I find half a page of general info, and 12 pictures of people cutting stuff out with plasma cutters or things that have been cut with a plasma cutter. In other words, nothing useful.
   
   The rest of the book looks like exactly the same stuff that's in his other welder's handbook. It is good info, but for something that's "Revised & Updated" it sure doesn't seem to me like it has much new info.



3. I have only welded once before with no instruction. It seems extremely difficult. Now after reading this book I understand why it is difficult and I know a lot more. My goal of purchase and reading the book were completed yesterday, and now I have to ask my wife if I can buy another power tool and some steel to play with. I can't promise her, but I think I will have fun and maybe burn myself. This book seems adequate for a real welder also. I liked the format and level of explanation.



4. Packed full of knowledge about all aspects of welding. Whether you are a new welder or an experienced welder, there is likely some good information for you. I have welded for close to forty years and picked up some good information.



5. A good beginners guide to all types of welding. Short on details for the more experienced.

No comments about Extreme Toyota: Radical Contradictions That Drive Success at the World's Best Manufacturer.