4 comments about Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals.

1. Written 10 years ago, the author spent just over a decade to finish this book. Having said that, there are still a lot to learn from this book. I am currently using it as THE textbook of my course (undergraduate and postgraduate).



2. almost all the areas concerning internal combustion engines are covered in proper detail. it is useful for related undergrad and grad studies, also an indispensable reference for grad research work in engine technologies.



3. This book is my Bible. It does not explain you how to add 2HP to the engine, it explains how all that works and why, with theory, numbers and serious real world tests.
   You may be interested in the theory: you'll find all you need to understand more detailled research papers.
   You don't need theory: you may simply trust very comprehensive and clear conclusions which explain with figures and numbers how thinks work.
   The book covers Spark Ignited and Diesel engines, indirect and direct injected.
   The book does not cover recent works on high speed SI (like Honda VTEC) and turbo-diesel engines, as well the indirect injected stratified combustion engines.



4. I'm not a mechanical engineer and I have been able to follow the book well. It goes really in depth in some places, so you have to know when to skip a few pages. But it is fine for a final year undergrad course, and I'm sure it would work for a grad course as well, but if you don't have a good math and science background (ie engineering), then just research www.howstuffworks.com and then subscribe to a few car magazines. There is a lot of practical info in here as well, but don't kid yourself, most of this is theoretical backround. I am an electrical engineer who wanted to get into hybrid vehicles, and I think if you are like me and want to just buy one book on ICEs, this is it.

5 comments about Flight in America: From the Wrights to the Astronauts.

1. This is one of those books that you look for, but seldom find. It is written so that it is easily read, easily understood, and easily absorbed. It is well researched, full of interesting facts and personal stories, and never lets up the pace of delivering an interesting, informative and educational narrative. I found it so much fun to read and understand, that I finished the entire book in three days, then read it again to reap what I might have missed the first time through. The author did an outstanding job of compiling and presenting complicated facts, dry figures, and personal stories into one very interesting and fun narrative. I recommend this book highly to anyone who wants to know every step of the race to flight history in the United states from the Wright brothers, to space exploration. The author managed to include almost every detail in this history of flight that you could ever want to know and still keep the story line from becoming boring, or slowing down once throughout the entire book. This wonderful work would be worth twice the asking price. I am glad that I found it, and am really glad that I now own it as part of my historical collection.



2. No one writes better syntheses of major topics in the history of air and space than Roger E. Bilstein, now retired from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. "Flight in America" is one of those exceptionally powerful syntheses that lays out a broad master narrative of the subject. Originally published in 1984, this work has now been through three editions, each refining and expanding the work to incorporate new understandings and broader perspectives. Indeed, "Flight in America" is THE place to start in any serious investigation of the development of air and space in the United States. Along with two other broad interpretive works-"Enterprise of Flight: The American Aviation and Aerospace Industry" (Smithsonian, 2001) and "Testing Aircraft, Exploring Space: An Illustrated History of NACA and NASA" (Johns Hopkins, 2003)-"Flight in America" offers a comprehensive narrative of the subject.

   In this volume Bilstein progresses chronologically from the time of the Wright brothers, barnstorming, and early military aviation to the rise of aviation as a business, the advent of airlines, and the technological progress of the airplane. He then spend considerable effort discussing the role of the airplane in World War II before moving into post-war developments with jet airliners, global military reach made possible with aircraft, and the beginning and development of the space age. In every sense, he offers a satisfying survey of aerospace issues that is useful both to students and scholars alike.

   At a fundamental level, "Flight in America" represents an attempt to help coalesce a "New Aerospace History." Like the "New Western History" or the "New Social History" that has been so important in the last twenty years, this approach represents a significant transformation that has largely been, although not exclusively, taking place in the field. Specifically, the "New Aerospace History" is committed to relating the subject to the larger issues of society, politics, and culture, taking a more sophisticated view of the technology than historians previously held. In the past, many writers on aerospace history held a fascination with the machinery, which has been largely anthropomorphized and often seen as "magical."

   The "New Aerospace History" embodied in this work moves beyond a fetish for the artifact to emphasize the broader role of the air- and spacecraft, and more importantly the whole technological system including not just the vehicle but also the other components that make up the aerospace climate, as an integral part of the human experience. This is not to be understood as lacking an interest in the artifact, or being artifactless. Rather it is an affirmation that one moves through reason and study to a larger understanding. It suggests that many unanswered questions are present in helping the development of modern flight, and that inquisitive individuals seek to know that which they do not understand. This assumption arises within historians and is based on their understanding of humans, for technological systems are constructions of the human mind or minds.

   This work emphasizes, therefore, research in aerospace topics that are no longer limited to the vehicle-centered, internalist, style of history that had gone before. "Flight in America" offers all of us an opportunity to immerse ourselves in this truly challenging new approach to the field. Highly recommended.




3. A very readable, quick and general history of flight in the United States. Bilstein is a noted historian and provides a narrative history of aviation that while comprehensive is a little disjointed in parts.



4. The book itself is great but I was missing pages from 52 to 87. I am not sure if the book is printed that way or of my book was the exception. Just make sure when you first get the book to check for missing pages.



5. this is a great book for any aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The book starts off with the ornithopter and ends in space travel/missels, with complete detail. the author does a great job of explaining political, military and economic impacts on the aviation industry. The only bad part is im on the 3rd chapter and the book is practically falling apart and i bought it new.

3 comments about Steam Plant Operation.

1. The book is good to see lots of pictures of steam plant equipment and a bit is given explaining what the equipment does, but I found the "Steam & Diesel Power Plant Operators Examinations" book much more powerful to pass fireman and engineers exams, including employment interviews! I suggest to buy both of these great books!



2. A must for the state of Ohio boiler exam,along with Steingress & Frost!



3. The best book on the market for training of power plant operators. Revisions keep up with the field. Have been using this book for training power plant opreators to optain their Massachusetts Stationary Engineers and Firemen's licenses, for over 15 years.

No comments about Aviation Maintenance Technician: Airframe: Volume 1: Structures (Aviation Maintenance Technician series).

5 comments about A Commands Guide For Solidworks 2008 (Solidworks).

1. I purchased this book because of its title and its many good reviews. If you are very new to 3D cad or Solidworks, this is a pretty good book. However, if you are looking for a concise command reference, this book is not for you.



2. These authors are great. I've used them in college and now I use them in industry. This is a great reference book with over 200 models on an incorporated book CD.
   
   I cracked open the book, inserted the CD and as I worked through the problems, I become more and more impressed with it. SolidWorks 2008 has a very different look from 2007. There are many neat tools and features; namely - Pop-up Context toolbars, DimXpert, MotionStudy, Instant3D and TolAnalysis to name a few.
   
   There are some weaknesses in this book, but ones that you can work around. To have all of the answers, they would need to write a 3000 page book. The index, in particular, I found to be pretty expansive - I used it to find answers to more than one problem where I was fairly clueless. Tons of illustrations and clearly written. Keep up the good work.



3. These authors know their stuff. It is easy to read and follow. As a new user, I can really appreciate a well written reference book. The book has a getting started section and then brakes into logical feature and sketch tool sections. The short tutorials lets you apply the tools to ensure that you understand their functionality. There are over 200 short tutorials with final models to help you learn 95% of what SolidWorks has to offer. There are full screen shots of most propertymanagers and dialog boxes which is a big help when trying to understand the various options.
   
   It provides extensive coverage of the document properties and system options section with system defaults. This is helpful when sharing a system. This is the most borrowed book in my department. Thank you ..



4. I've been combining my retraining in 3D modeling and learning SolidWorks specifics with the help of two SolidWorks books; Engineering Design with SolidWorks and A Commands Guide for SolidWorks. Both books deploy a step-by-step illustrated instruction approach.
   
   I'm rather new to 3D. I found the two books to be extremely useful and easy to follow. In a previous life, I was an AutoCad VAR, although that is going back quite a few years. Part of my learning process has been unlearning some of my AutoCad approaches. This takes time, but is well worth it. SolidWorks is a great software package.
   
   The Commands Guide for SolidWorks is excellent when it comes to short, quick, and informative tutorials, to quickly learn a subject topic or to understand a feature or tool. The CD is very helpful with both the initial and final models. The layout of the book provides a logically flow to learn. I took the time to write this review and will write a review for the Engineering Design with SolidWorks book, because I strongly believe that these books can help a new user and are the best books on the market today. I contacted the author for a question, which was trivial, but he responded to me in less than a day. WOW!



5. This is an excellent book if you are looking for a reference book that covers tons of information with short tutorials on SW. Each tutorial provides the ability to implement and view your results through an actual model.
   
   The CD provides all models, so you can use them to compare your results. Better yet, you can open existing models, and explore new ways to doing things.
   
   The book is well illustrated and laid out with excellent steps to following. The authors real users, and you can tell with their ability to explain and show procedures. Its great to find the right book for the right job.

4 comments about Schaum's Outline of Statics and Strength of Materials (Schaum's).

1. Plese send for me about the screw test in all universities. Tank's all over.



2. This book is full of mistakes. I spend more time checking the author's work that I do practicing. Don't waste your money or time with this.



3. I have found it helpful in confirming information I was not sure about.



4. This book is a great self teacher of statics and beam mechanics. It has the best treatment of the "singularity function" method for beam loading that I have read.

5 comments about Magnesium Overcast: The Story of the Convair B-36(Specialty Press) (Specialty Press).

1. "Magnesium Overcast" is just what an "airplane book" should be: large, attractive, detailed, with a wealth of superior illustrations, many in color. I'd hazard a guess that there are more than 300 high-quality photos and drawings, including a rare chart of the Convair production line.
   
   In any case, it's all here: something for "rivet counters" and "number crunchers" alike. The authors deserve full credit for the thoroughness of their work and the obvious care they lavished on this project. Kudos also go to Specialty Press for producing this significant volume in such lavish style at a reasonable price.



2. A great long range bomber that served in SAC to perform as a bridge between the "prop" planes and the pure jet. This book is throughly
   researched and easy to read. Many photos.



3. "Uncle Sam's newest, biggest bomber -- the B-36 -- is a long, slim gal with a wiggle in her rear. She's a little on the skinny side, but she's beautiful", gushed the New York Daily News.
   
   My earliest memory of her was Jimmie Stewart's arctic crash landing in the Hollywood epic, "Strategic Air Command." Later he falls in love with a younger, sexier plane -- the new B-47 Stratojet.
   
   Looking back, we remember the B-36 as a colossal cold war relic, but the massive B-36 was originally conceived to fight another foe -- Adolph Hitler's 3rd Reich. Describing the Peacemaker, author Dennis R. Jenkins relates, "The story of the B-36 is unique in American history. The aircraft was an interesting blend of concepts proven during World War II combined with budding 1950s high tech systems."
   
   Mr. Jenkins reveals, "The B-36, despite its seemingly conventional appearance, pushed 1950's state-of-the-art further than any other aircraft of its era. Its sheer size brought structural challenges, while its high-altitude capabilities brought engine cooling and other problems. Sophisticated gun and bombing systems presented development, maintenance, and operational headaches."
   
   "Magnesium Overcast: The Story of the Convair B-36" is a high quality, glossy, format book with a jackpot of intriguing photographs (many in color), instructive drawings and tables. Many of the wonderful interior photographs, diagrams and engineering drawings were taken from U.S. Air Force technical manuals. The graphics alone make this one of the finest aircraft books I have ever seen. Mr. Jenkins had done a superior job of presenting all the modification programs in great detail with a clear, concise style. He has meticulously researched and presented the life cycle of the B-36 from conception through scrapping out.
   
   To meet the extreme requirements of its mission, several outlandish design features were tried -- bunks for the off-duty crewmen and a gallery complete with oven to prepare hot meals --- a complex system of 8 retractable remote control dual 20mm gun turrets -- various parasite fighter planes that could be launched from aboard the B-36 when needed -- a nuclear reactor to power greatly modified turbojet engines.
   
   Nuclear powered aircraft theoretically could stay airborne for years. Unfortunately, very heavy radiation shielding was imperative for crew protection.
   
   Thankfully the B-47 Stratojet and the B-52 Buff became operational and finally put an end to the expensive Frankenstein experiments with the outmoded B-36.



4. To those B-36 and SAC fans, this book is well worth it and fantastic. I find it hard to believe all those so fine pictures contained in this book. I am a man of short words, but the only disappointment for anyone is if they did not buy it. So take heed to my advice: do not put off buying it. In conclusion, do not make me say, "I told you so."



5. An excellent history of the B-36 and its variants, including the YB-60 jet version. Plenty of detail, along with many pictures and drawings. A worthwhile book for students of aviation history, especially those with interest in the B-36.

5 comments about Military Flight Aptitude Tests (CliffsTestPrep).

1. This, like any other study guide, is good to understand what will be on the test, and how to interperet information. However, the practice tests are filled with errors. One question will have a picture and the correct answer. A few questions later, the same exact picture, but a different answer. I bought it for the AFAST, and the "complex movements" section is worse. Again, good for understanding how it works, but terrible practice tests. Two same questions, two different answers...



2. Just like everyone else on here I am so pissed off. I will NEVER purchase another book from this publisher. I dont care if its the best book inthe world. Absolutely no excuse. They should refund everyones money and do a massive recall. This should be against the law. Im so pissed right now that all I can really think about is swear words. Thanks for absolutely &^%^%$# nothing.



3. If you are studying for the AFAST DO NOT use this book. The instrument and complex movement practice sections contain numerous grievous errors. The AFAST does not contain high level math test like this book indicates, but instead mechanical concepts. It is amazing that this book was published in this apparently unedited and misinformed state. The book the Army gave me to review 15 minutes prior to testing was way better. No one in my family will every buy a cliffs test prep book again for any reason. If someone fails the test because of this crappy book I hope they sue so it gets pulled from the shelves and other don't fall victim.



4. The practice test bared no similarity to the actual AFAST:
   1) On mechanical section, there are no numbers on real AFAST
   2) The answers on the cyclic section are wrong
   3) The helicopter knowledge section was much easier (and more fundamental) on the actual AFAST
   
   It's a waste of money and time.



5. I used this for my Army AFAST test, and it was a great help leading up to the test. While the test is not that difficult, it is good to practce a few of the practical questions before taking the actual test.
   
   If you fail this, you can't take it for another 6 months, so this could save you some time.

5 comments about Wager with the Wind: The Don Sheldon Story.

1. Good book if you are interested in Bush Pilots in Alaska and flying.
   Don Sheldon was a fearless, dedicated pilot.



2. Don Sheldon was one of kind, and one of the greats of Alaska aviation. He was a pioneer without doubt on Denali. A good job by author James Greiner. If you liked this book, you will also like,
   
   FLYING NORTH SOUTH EAST AND WEST, by Captain Terry Reece This book covers not only Alaska aviation, but polar expeditions, cargo flying world wide.
   Flying North South East and West: Arctic to the Sahara



3. 
   Great book on Alasks's history. Too bad such a highly skilled wonderful man had to die so young.



4. i bought this book because don was a friend of my grandfather whom he nicely mentions in the biography. however, i really enjoyed it. as a pilot myself, i was fascinating by his many flying tales.



5. As a budding new student pilot myself, I found some of the stories absolutely scary. I hope I never find myself in half the situations he found himself in. It was a great read and I highly recommend it, especially to anyone who is learning to fly.

5 comments about Illustrated Guide to Aerodynamics.

1. I found Skip Smith's book to be an excellent layman's introduction to aerodynamics. Fluid mechanics does not usually make for interesting, easily comprehensible reading, but Dr. Smith's book is clearly the exception. I'm constantly irritated by the very inaccurate descriptions of aerodynamics given in many flying magazines and instructional books. This book has none of those common errors. Reading this book should greatly increase the average pilot's knowledge of how his plane flies and what huge design constraints aeronatical engineers have to live with. Highly recommended reading for all those who are interested in learning more about the principles of flight.



2. This book will be very helpful to pilots who want an "intuitive" understanding of aerodynamics. It will allow them to apply the information that is only touched on in other beginning piloting texts. I am considering using it as a textbook for a community college pilot technology curriculum. His explanation of wing lift does not emphasize Newton enough and seems to over emphasize Bernoulli, but this is not intended as a highly technical or mathematical approach. It is real world information for the pilot.



3. I started from Aerodynamics for Engineers which was a bad choice. However, this was excellent introductory book that was on very understandable and practical level, just how introduction should be. Very good book for homebuilder or pilot point of view.



4. I read this book for research that I am doing at school. In this book the author carefully and slowly explains the principles of aerodynamics. His approach is perfect for those of us who are new to the subject.
   
   The layout of the book makes sense. The book includes many examples along with thorough explanations of these examples. (He also gives many interesting anecdotal comments.) Additionally, the author's handling of the material is simple, but not so basic that one cannot get a full understanding of aerodynamic forces acting on an airplane and on the structures than comprise the vehicle.
   
   This book is a very useful reference for understanding aerodynamic forces and how these forces can be determined and predicted.



5. I have owned this book for about 10 years, and it is one of my favorites. I have read it cover to cover, and have referred to it many times since. Great for the pilot, mechanic, kit builder or amatuer designer. Easy to read and informative. A "must have" for anyone who really wants to understand airplanes and aerodynamics.