5 comments about Schaum's Outline of Engineering Mechanics.

1. I have had Statics and will be taking Dynamic's next semester. I bought this book so I could get a head start on next semester as I heard the professor is tough and the material is difficult.

   The parts that cover Statics were a very good supliment to what I had learned last semester. Kind of like the Reader's Digest version, I couldn't figure out what parts they had left out. It seemed pretty complete to me. They even covered stuff we didn't. We didn't have anything in our class wrt differential equations, but this book did. Since I have had diff eq, it was nice to see it being put to use and I learned something.

   On the Dynamic's side, it is a bit of a tough go. I am using this as a primary/only text and do not have the benifit of an instructor. I am wading through slowly. I wish there was a bit more explination before the examples. This is where an in class text book would be helpful. I believe that this book will be a valuable resource when I actually start the class.




2. I have always liked the Schaum's series of books. They are straightforward and to the point. This text was no exception.

   The most important aspect of this book is that it can be used as a supplement to most of the popular texts. I used it along with Beer & Johnston and Shames.

   Quite a useful book on a difficult, hands-on subject.




3. I have always liked the Schaum's series of books. They are straightforward and to the point. This text was no exception.

   The most important aspect of this book is that it can be used as a supplement to most of the popular texts. I used it along with Beer & Johnston and Shames.

   Quite a useful book on a difficult, hands-on subject.




4. This book was helpful in putting together arguments for problems I was working on.



5. I used this outline for review and with some problems I was having in a course on computational robotics I was taking a couple of years ago and I found this book to be an excellent review that answered all of my questions. However, my stepson used it in his statics and dynamics classes to help with the material when it was being presented to him for the first time, and he said he felt it brushed over some of the material in both classes. Even though this is a hefty outline, perhaps it would be better if they dedicated separate Schaum's outlines to each subject - statics and dynamics - and covered more ground in each subject rather than putting both subjects in the same book. This outline even has one chapter on mechanical vibrations, but it is just barely an overview and hardly gets into the subject at all. It might be best if that chapter were deleted entirely and more space spent on the subjects at hand.

5 comments about Interior Lighting, Fourth Edition.

1. The book begins with an inspirational and somewhat simplistic insight into lighting design. Simply as a study of lighting contrasts. While this is a very important aspect of LD, it is by far one of many concepts a professional must use. The book refers to many technical aspects of lighting without giving any "meat" or more in depth information, which I would have enjoyed. If you are new to LD or are an architect or engineer who has little experience with lighting, it is a very good lauching point. If you are technically knowledgable about lighting and want some inspiration, read chapter 1 and the last chapter on Design for concepts



2. While I was studying Interior Design at Parsons a number of years ago, I had Gary Gordon as a Lighting Design Instructor. He was by far one the best teachers that I had. He is very knowledgeable and has the unique ability to easily communicate the many aspects of both design and lighting. I highly recommend any publication he has authored.



3. This is a required book for an introductory lighting class I'm taking. Since we are solely relying on this book and it isn't supplemented with lecture material, I find that, without familiarity with lighting terminology and concepts, it is very difficult to understand -- very cryptic with the seemingly overused language of the field. While the author may be very knowledgeable, I feel the book is not very well written and the target audience is, perhaps, not intended to be, essentially, the layman. I don't find the organization of ideas and concepts to be clearly laid out or communicated well and, as they unfold, and I come to understand what the author is trying to say, wonder why it was made so difficult -- is that all he means, geesh and why didn't he tell me that earlier. It would be easier to understand the general concept of things first, even in plain English perhaps, and then go on to a more technical description to learn the language of the field and get the details. Just seems to make simple things very complicated, especially with the language, flow of ideas, and phrasing.
   
   I also find a lot of the graphic figures and photo examples need some clarification or more details. A picture's supposed to be worth a thousand words, not be cryptic and time-consuming to understand.
   
   Sorry, I would not recommend this for students who are not primed first. Especially the younger ones.



4. This is a great lighting design book, lots of graphical explanations, lots of useful information, a must-buy for any kind of interior designer!



5. This is an excellent reference for any designer. The text is in simple language and makes lighting concepts very easy to comprehend. I actually enjoyed reading it and will be a better lighting designer because of it.

5 comments about Engineering Mechanics - Dynamics (11th Edition).

1. I agreed with the previous response because the book is exactly the same as the 9th edition. The contents is the same as the 9th edition and the problem sets are 80% of whats in the 9th edition. The book is a rip off and it also contains ALL the same errors as it did in the past



2. Like the previous two reviews stated...the book is way overpriced and I had to buy a solution manual from Amazon.uk because apparently they dont sell it here?? If your teacher doesn't assign homework get a previous edition because the examples and explanation are the same...



3. I have never seen a textbook with such a sparse amount of explanation. Some of the sections are litterally a couple paragraphs, and they repeat themselves constantly. But they do a good amount of examples and have put a lot of effort into their illustrations. So, meh.



4. I ordered this book about 2mths ago and still havenot recieved the book.



5. This book is utter garbage! They show no work or explanations in the examples, or even in the solutions manual. The book goes like this: A really nice picture, then a formula without any numbers or explanation, then a numeric answer. I can't even figure out how to follow the solutions manual. The author has the most unique problem solving methods I have ever seen. My dynamics professor has given up on the book, as has the rest of my class. It is now just used as a book of homework problems. This will be the only book I sell back in my college career!

5 comments about Fluid Mechanics, Fourth Edition.

1. This is a good book to begin learning the fundamentals of fluid mechanics in a science point of view.



2. This book is not a great resource for a student. There are few examples, and the exercises at the end of each chapter are short and not very diverse. The exercises also have no solutions, not a big deal but the text has few examples.
   
   If you just need a reference this book is ok, but please don't teach from it!



3. This is an excellent work if you need background information about fluid mechanics, it explains basic notions such as the continuity equation in a mathematically rigorous, but nevertheless easily understandable way.
   However, if you are primarily in need of a resource for computational methods this is definitely not what you are looking for. In such a case I would for instance recommend the -works of Zienkievicz and Taylor, if you are interested in FEM.



4. That's the very worst shop I ever made using the internet. The book was supposed to arrive in December 26, and it has never arrived. We are now more than 15 days in delay, and there is not even a place to complain about that in the very bureacratic and unefficient Amazon web page. Worse than that, the seller is exactly Amazon.com. I really need the book, and a way to at least let amazon know that the book has NOT arrived so far.



5. One of the best introduction books in this
   field. This new edition has a chapter on
   Biofluid Mechanics. Over all, it is interesting
   and fun to read.

4 comments about The Mechanical Design Process.

1. Ullman provides an easy to understand text on an extremely detailed subject matter. I used it in a sophomore design class to get an overview of the mechanical design process and will use it again for senior capstone design. The text starts off using techniques/tools we're already familiar with and segways into more detailed and specific methods of concept development. The bicycle example does a great job of showing a designer's thought process and is a good inclusion to the book. Also, it helps that Ullman knows how to get to the point.
   
   However, some of the charts are difficult to grasp, and the material on cost and marketing are a bit dull. Although, that's probably due to the subject and not the author.



2. The paper used for this book would be better used as toilet paper. It is a collection of general observations and data fron old projects that was out of date when it was written. Any designer with a couple years experience could have written a better book in their sleep.



3. This text has fast become a favorite at our company; reminding our engineers of some of the key fundamentals of the machine design process. As designers of advanced machine design software technologies, Dr. Ullman's book has inspired the team resulting in valuable brainstorm sessions and innovations. All have found this text to be a great and engergizing read.
   
   I highly recommend this text and am glad that my son will have the opportunity of using it in his mechanical engineering studies at college.



4. A nice overview of the engineering design process. What is really nice is that the author includes a few examples per chapter--many design texts do not take this extra step.
   
   One really good aspect of the text is that the topics flow well for a Capstone Design class. Even QFD is explained in detail without getting too bogged down with the different uses it could have. Though, the author did not explain exactly *how* to use QFD in the design process, there was plenty of detail for a good introduction.
   
   It would be helpful to have problem assignments, to make the text more like a classroom text. But again, most design texts have difficulty taking this approach.
   
   The irony with my review: I was a grad student when Ullman's 1st and 2nd editions were out, and I saw many omissions I would have liked to have filled (particularly on DFM and QFD). Now, as the capstone design professor at a small university, I see how difficult it can be to lay out a textbook on this topic (because I have tried!). The author did a fine job of it.

2 comments about Machine Tool Practices (8th Edition).

1. I find this book clear and easy to read on machining topics. The photographs and illustrations fit well with the text. Generally a worthwhile beginners to intermediate book for pre apprentice to 3rd year. However in future editions I would like to see ISO metric information on topics such as threads and tapers along with limits and fits. I would also like to see a change to more up to date toolposts and tool holders for the lathes.



2. This book and the workbook were required for a machine shop class I took. The Amazon description is pretty accurate. It is written for someone in a vocational training program who will be working in the industry rather than a home workshop. The book covers a lot of material, but doesn't go into depth on any of it. Its a pretty good introductory book, but its kind of expensive. I wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't required for the class. If you are just interested in learning to operate a certain machine, like a mill or lathe, or if you are interested in machining as a hobby I think there are probably better books. I am giving it 3 stars because of the high price, and many of the photos are not high enough quality, especially considering the price.

2 comments about Statics and Mechanics of Materials (2nd Edition).

1. Statics and Mechanics of Materials by R.C.HIBBELER

   Statics: 1) General Principles 2) Force Vectors 3) Force System Resultants 4) Equilibrium 5) Structural Analysis 6) Geometric Properties and Distributed Loadings 7) Internal Loadings

   Mechanics of Materials: 8) Stress and Strain 9) Mechanical Properties of Materials 10) Axial Load 11) Torsion 12) Bending 13) Transverse Shear 14) Combined Loadings 15) Stress and Strain Transformations 16) Design of Beams 17) Buckling of Columns

   My Comment About The Book: I think this is one of the best books interested in statics and mechanics. You can learn all subjects easyly and you can see lots of applications with very good examples. If you really want to learn buy it!




2. I bought this book about 4 months ago for my Statics class at university. The book is well organized and the concepts as well as the examples are easy to follow. I have found it to be a very good reference especially if one is learning some of the concepts mentioned in the book from scratch. There is a sufficient number of examples and problems for one to digest the material.
   
   On the downside, the book does not have the feel of a general purpose reference book and should be regarded as a textbook that is to be followed in order to learn the material inside.

3 comments about Aerodynamics for Engineers (5th Edition).

1. I strongly recommend this book for those who are studying their first courses in aerodynamics. It is indeed clear, easy to understand, and, above all, very illustrated. In point of fact, I have liked aerodynamics because of this book. I used this book in my first course in aerodynamics instead of the required book given by my university (K.F.U.P.M), which was " Fundamentals of Aerodynamics written by John D. Anderson, because it avoids the complexity of derivations of equations, which might be the nightmare for some aerodynamics students particularly the beginners. Over and above this, I have been very willing and interested in reading the text because the authors have avoided tautology. Furthermore, I have digested a lots of concepts because of its very clear figures which have made a great impression on me, you know, one picture worth a 1000 words as the saying goes.

   As far as the examples given in each chapter are concerned, I believe that the authors should have added extra examples in order to see the applications of the important theories and their equations. Anyhow, some of the provided examples did come in my major exams.

   Like other aerodynamics books I have seen, this book does not provide the students with the solution of the problems given at the end of each chapter. I found that some of the theoretical questions given at the end of each chapter were among the questions my instructor used to give us in his quizzes, major, and final exams. The other thing I don not like about this book, similar to other aerodynamics books, is that it does not have a glossary. Thus, Students will have to read the text to find the definitions of the new terms. However, the definitions given are easy to memorize and comprehend as well.

   For those who are interested in full derivations of equations, I believe that this book will not be very helpful to them. They should buy " Fundamentals of Aerodynamics written by John D. Anderson" immediately.

   I believe very strongly that using both of the books I mentioned above will enable the student to pass his/her course with flying colors. I am sure as eggs are eggs that they will come in handy in quizzes, majors, final exams, plus term projects. I used both of them and I got "B". Believe you me, you will make it God willing, as I did.




2. This book and the "Fundamentals of Aerodynamics" by J.D. Anderson are the BEST aerodynamics text for the engineering students. I highly recommed them to every aerospace and mechanical engineering students.



3. 
   The book provides a great foundation in aerodynamics principles and theory for aeronautical engineers or mechanical engineers studying aerospace engineering. The book is well organized and well written with clear and easy to follow explanations.
   
   This is a reader-friendly book that most mechanical or aeronautical engineering students who require a down to earth book that teaches the fundamentals of aerodynamics will find interesting and informative.
   
   Although this is not the best book on the market, it nevertheless is worth investing in as it provides a basic though comprehensive guide to aerodynamics with a focus on fundamental principles and techniques, incorporating the latest advances in software and in hardware that have resulted in the ever increasing use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in aircraft design.

1 comments about Fluid Mechanics with Student Resources DVD (McGraw-Hill Mechanical Engineering).

1. You can save at least $40 by going paperback instead of hardcover for this textbook, and the only thing missing from the paperback version is the constants written on the inside cover of the hardcover book. I just had my roommate photocopy the page for me and taped it in my paperback book. Exactly equal textbooks, not so equal price. Paperbacks are the way to go.

5 comments about Fundamentals of Thermodynamics.

1. This book assumes you memorize everything they say once. In an example in chapter six, they went from V/2 to V/2 x 788 x 37.12 without saying why, without using symbols to show what the numbers represent, without even including units to help you figure out what they are doing. It turned out to be a conversion mentioned on a page in a chapter, not in any of the tables or indexes for conversion. Trying to follow their train of thought is like trying to walk up a flight of stairs with three foot high steps.



2. Over the past twenty-five years, I have used this book (or its earlier editions) as a student, teaching assistant, adjunct professor and as a practicing engineer and have found that I used this book more than the dozen or so books that I have on thermodynamics. This introductory book on thermodynamics contains many chapters devoted to the basic principles such as defining the state and the definition and determination of work. Later chapters include cycles, combustion, equilibrium and compressible flow. It is a very valuable reference for anyone involved in thermodynamics, because it contains a good overview of all the major topics and concerns.
   
   Some of the reviews provided by current students are appropriate. The authors sometime assume that the first-time reader has a much stronger background than they do and or that can remember everything in the previous chapters. As a result, the sample problems are lacking in a detailed explanation of the concepts leaving the reader confused; however, once the reader understands thermodynamics, these sample problems can be a great help.



3. This book does have one merit. The thermodynamic tables in the back are extensive and easy to read. There is a wealth of information there that makes this a worthwhile reference book.
   
   However, this book is first and foremost a textbook, and as a learning instrument it is an utter failure.
   
   The book is littered with errors. Some are trivial, such as misspelled words or incorrect references. However, many are serious errors such as incorrect formulas or errors in the answer key and can leave you dumbfounded as you try to figure out how a seemingly impossible miracle of mathematics can take place.
   
   I remember one incident where I spent almost two hours working on one problem, trying everything I could think of to get my answer to line up with the answer in the back of the book. I eventually gave up and asked my professor the next day. He worked it out and it turned out that my original answer was correct and the book was wrong! This was an all-too-frequent experience for me as I used this book, and if I had a nickel for every minute I wasted finding errors in this book I would have an easy time paying for my other textbooks.
   
   Second, the book is incredibly confusing. I had over a 3.7 GPA going into Thermo I and was in my university's honors program. I don't typically have problems with comprehending textbooks, even poorly written ones. However, this book is totally incomprehensible to a student who has never taken a course in thermodynamics. The logic meanders to and fro apparently lacking any direction. The main points of each chapter are often hidden and poorly outlined. The explanations sometimes get sidetracked by pointless trains of thought, making it rather hard to pay attention. It might as well be in Greek.
   
   Third, the book makes almost no connection between theory and practice. If you are a visual learner, you are completely out of luck. I can't remember one single picture in the book. Most textbooks utilize pictures just for the sake of having pictures or to give the author an excuse to write a new revision. This book is in dire need of a few well-chosen pictures, but all you will get are a plethora of vague and boring diagrams. An appropriate picture can help a student make the transition from theory (in this case, the text and discussion of the book) to practice (the problems). I found that I could (with great difficulty) translate the unintelligible babble of the text into an understanding of the fundamental concepts, but when I needed to use this understanding to solve a complicated problem, the connection between theory and practice wasn't there.
   
   The sad thing is that, if your professor uses this book and assigns problems from it, you'll probably have to buy it anyway. It's a total waste and I hope your professor is a good one because you won't be learning anything in these pages.



4. I would say it's more for grad students than undergrad, the way it's written makes you pull your hair out. If you really have to get this book make sure you get something else with it. also you better hope your professor is really a good teacher or else you're screwed. I always teach my self, but not with this book.



5. After using this book for one semester of thermodynamics I didn't really feel like I had a good handle on the material. There is far too much superfluous information in this book to make it thicker. Some of the sections I found to be unnecessary, especially the first chapter. The only redeeming qualities of the book are the exhaustive thermo tables and the great deal of homework problems at the back of each chapter. As a student, you might want a book which lays down the concepts before jumping so quickly to practice.