1 comments about Physics for Engineers and Scientists, Regular Edition.

1. This is one of the better textbooks for introductory Physics for science majors. Halliday, Resnick and Walker's emphasizes on problem solvings; Serway's makes great balance between concepts and applications; Giancoli's is more conceptual oriented; Young and Freedman's has a lot of excellent problems and explains concepts very well; Tipler's is quite boring and concise. It's always nice to read a newly published classical physics textbook to see how the same subject is presented differently by the different authors. But since this book emphasizes the practical aspects of physics, it's probably more welcome than the others for a college level cal based introductory physics course. There is a complete Answer book to the problems that I found quite helpful. Problems are pretty much the same for all the editions. ISBN-10: 039395756X, ISBN-13: 9780393957563

5 comments about The Dock Manual: Designing/Building/Maintaining.

1. I gave up trying to find any useful information on dock building and then happened across this book not long ago. Max Burns has written a very comprehensive reference book that covers almost any imaginable dock/shore situation including the one I was looking for . If you're thinking of building your own, add this book to your library!



2. Yes, this book provides a well-illustrated overview of approaches to dock building and choices of materials. But it doesn't go far enough if you have a significant tidal range or if the wind blows. What's missing is any introduction to engineering. How to make sure the ramp doesn't fall off your float when the tide goes out. How to figure the static forces on your dock caused by 4 knot currents. How to estimate the wave heights and dynamic forces in 80 knot winds. And how to design a dock that will survive this abuse. You might want to involve a professional engineer in these situations, but that can be true of pretty much anything to do with docks. A book with this title should at least introduce you to these subjects and provide references for the gory details. Like some others, the author believes books like this should be peppered with jokes. Personally I find this annoying, but I must admit his jokes are above average. So if you want a funny introduction to building docks in gentle places, this book is for you.



3. Very thorough. Just the information I needed to determine what type of dock to build on my lakefront property.



4. I've built decks and docks in the past and I find this text to be of immense value as I prepare to build a new system of decks and docks at a new location. I'd suggest this this one to anyone who was about to build near or on the water.



5. As a handyman I like to bulid my own things. This book gives you a lot of insight. It shows an easier way of doing things by using things you would not have thought of. It is an excellent book with a lot of ideals.

5 comments about Understanding Space: An Introduction to Astronautics + Website (Space Technology).

1. Mr. Jerry Jon Seller's book, "Understanding Space" is an amazing textbook about the technical aspects of space. The text is well written, the diagrams are easily understood, and the "tech-factor" for space geeks is acceptably high. It is no wonder that the United States Air Force has recommended "Understanding Space" as its baseline text concerning Technical aspects of space flight.
   
   For those afraid of "rocket-science" level math, the book is written at a very easy level, using algebra, trigonometry, and bits of calculus covered with a whole BUNCH of physics. It is an excellent text for technical classes, and also easily readable for non-technical space classes. I've personally referenced this book in *EVERY* space-related class I've taken (4 undergrad and a *whole* bunch of graduate classes) - if you buy it, you will use it, I guarantee.
   
   The only downside to this text lies in the fault of its users, not the author or publisher. This book was written to be the introduction to the Space Technology Library, a list covering more advanced topics in space. That said, the text is written at a high-school/undergraduate level for math and physics; yet the USAF has committed its "Certified Space Professionals" to using the text at their advanced level "Space 200" course. If you're taking (or teaching) space-related classes, understand the level of information you're needing - there *are* other space technical books (some by the same publisher) that will cover these topics in more depth (i.e. harder math and physics).



2. For the course I'm taking, this text is an excellent resource.



3. It's a text book. I ordered it and it got here on time...what more could I ask for?



4. This textbook was required for 2 of my Aeronautical Science courses in my pursuit for my Masters and I was more than happy to read it again. There is so much useful information in this text.
   
   The author reveals the intricacies of the space environment as well as the hazards of going into space with great depth. If you are required to purchase this book; it's a keeper for reference purposes as well.
   
   Happy reading.
   
   Sam



5. I found this book to be very enjoyable. A great review of Calculus and linear Algebra, are available in the appendix. This book has easily understood orbital concepts and is easy to follow. Anyone with and interest in Space technology should enjoy this book.

1 comments about Fundamentals of Thermal-Fluid Sciences with Student Resource CD.

1. A good reference, general classic approach. I've been using Cengel's thermal fluids sciences and Moran/Shapiro's Engineering Thermodynamics for revising Thermo and mecha fluids...Fundamentals of Thermal-fluid SciencesFundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics

2 comments about Schaum's Outline of Heat Transfer.

1. It is what I expected. Heat Transfer all in one reference.



2. I found the Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems of Heat Transfer, 2nd Ed. a helpful addition to my small collection of radiation heat transfer references. It has a unique worked example of the direct conversion from an Oppenheim radiosity network (RC analogy) to a radiation exchange factor (script-F) network.
   
   I cannot comment on the conduction or convection sections because I have not yet used them.

5 comments about Theory of Vibrations with Applications (5th Edition).

1. Posibly the worst textbook i have ever encountered. Not enough examples, Limited explinations not suited for a introductory course. It's hard to imagine a publisher would have continued printing this to a 5th ed.



2. This is literally the most useless text book I have ever encountered (and I really thought I had read the worst). It is COMPLETELY USELESS.It doesnt explain basic concepts and examples skip mutliple steps on their way to the solution. And by multiple I mean I cant follow them at all. Please, if you are a teacher, DO NOT use this book to teach Junior Meche's. Everyone in my class thinks this book sucks!



3. The topics covered are many but the depth is zero and the examples are about 90% too short. It doesn't really help to get a picture and a solution without intermediate steps or even halfhearted explanation. This book is completely inaccessible to a student and will sit useless on the shelf as $130 bucks wasted. Disgusting.



4. The coverage is spotty at best, very much like "swiss cheese" as another reviewer pointed out. Their are very few examples, and they are poorly worked out. In addition, the exercises somehow expect you to know material never even covered in the text and are nigh unsolvable unless you already have experience with vibration theory or a copy of the solution manual (also very poorly written).
   
   It is extremely difficult for beginners and not terribly useful as a reference either. Overall one of the worst texts I've ever had to use.



5. This review is for the paperback fifth edition of this book.
   
   Alright, I have read so many negative reviews of this book here. So even though this book was recommended elsewhere I was slightly apprehensive in buying it. I have read only the first 2 chapters, but I am so overwhelmed that I thought I will write a review.
   
   My rating: excellent. This book will make you think and understand the subject. But it expects a certain level of mathematical and engineering maturity (not higher than undergraduate). The problem sets are excellent. When you sit and finish through the problems you really understand the topic. Lot of times I read the text twice and made sure that I understood the topic before starting the problems. But then I had to come back and refer again and surely I will figure out some missing information. It takes time but is very rewarding. Most of all this text doesn't assume that the readers are dumb - it expects that the readers can think.
   
   What do I mean that the book expects a certain mathematical and engineering maturity? I will give a couple of examples. In the introductory chapter it has a small section on decomposition of periodic motion into Fourier series. There it expects for you to know how to integrate Integral(cos mx cos nx dx) or that Cos A cos B = 1/2[Cos(A+B) - cos(A-B)]. In second chapter to find the effective mass of a simply supported beam with a point load in the middle, it expects you to know
   that the deflection of the beam can be written as y=y_max(3(x/l)-4(x/l)^3). I mean it will straight away write y=ymax... etc. No other intermediate steps. It will also just integrate this y_max(3(x/l)-4(x/l)^3) with respect to x and write the result as 0.4857 y_max or whatever value it is. It will expect that you know how to solve differential equation into characteristic equation and particular solution. It gives a proof for solving md^x/dt^2 + cdx/dt + kx = 0 but it is better for you to have some background in differential equation (again not more that undergraduate level) to fully understand it.
   
   What do I mean that the book will make you think? For example when discussing energy methods on simple harmonic motion, it will say that due to conservation of energy T1+U1 = T2+U2 where 1 and 2 denotes two different positions of the vibrating body. By choosing 1 to be the static equilibrium position and choosing U1=0 as the reference potential energy, and 2 be the position corresponding to max disp, we have T1+0 = 0+U2. Now it says that if the system is undergoing harmonic motion then, T1 and U2 are max values and the preceding equation give rise to T_max = U_max. And that this equation will lead directly to natural frequency. It is up to you to figure out that for simple harmonic motion, x is given by x = A
   sin(wt+phi), v = Aw cos(wt+phi), a = -Aw^2 sin(wt+phi). So when v = 0 it implies that cos (wt+phi) = 0 and that implies that sin(wt+phi) is +- 1 so x is max (also conversely). So T_max = 1/2*m*A*w^2 , since cos (wt+phi)=+-1. Also U_max = 1/2*k*A^2, since sin(wt+phi)= +-1. So T_max = U_max gives w^2 = k/m. (We are actually eliminating sin and cos terms by taking the max values).
   
   In short, a very very good book for some one who has an undergraduate background in engineering and who is willing to think and put the effort. If you want a quick read or if you are looking for an easy book then this is probably not for you. But remember that you can only learn if you put the effort. There are a few typos for the answers at the back of the book, but that doesn't diminish the book's worth.
   
   There are 3 typos I found in answers to odd problems at the back of the book. I have finished problems of only chapter 1.
   Corrections for odd number answers at back:
   -------------------------------------------
   1.3) d^x/dt^2 _ max = 287.1 what is given is 278.1
   1.11) x(t) = 1/2 + 4/pi^2( cos w1t + 1/3^2 cos 3w1t + 1/5^2 cos 5w1t + ...)
   (what is given is sin w1t for the first harmonic term)
   1.16) a_o = 2/3 (what is given is a_o = 1/3).
   
   Again I may be wrong in the typos. Kindly double check them before using it.

5 comments about Analysis of Transport Phenomena (Topics in Chemical Engineering).

1. This book would be better if the author didnt have a tendancy to leave steps out of most his examples. Problems at the end of the chapters can be really difficult. I highly suggest using another book, or atleast having a good undergraduate text to supplement this one.



2. This book is well organized, well detailed, and well articulated. The lessons are useful and the text approachable for an academic work. I've read / had to use many other textbooks in my pursuit of a chemical engineering education and this is the best. I give it a whole-hearted recommendation for any serious student.



3. I got so involved with this book that I virtually wrote notes on every single page. The amount of useful information in this book has exceeded the tolerance the binding has for my handling. And I even took good care of it too! After my organic chemistry text, I'd say that I spent more time with this book than any other on my shelf.



4. This book, so far, is well organized and provides a most excellent approach to transport phenomena. The author evidently has a deep understanding of the topic.
   
   On the negative side, this book could do with some revising. Example problems should have a better "ansatz," that is, a more clearly-defined starting point for the analysis of problems in transport (i.e. should we consider balance and constitutive equations simultaneous at the start of every problem?). When working out Example problems, equations throughout the chapter do not seem to be invoked in any order, so it can be hard to follow the author's train of thought. Another problem which cost me a couple hours of hard "figuring" was trying to determine the motivation for stating "C[A]" as evaluated at "L" (see p. 51-52). To summarize, much of the student's understanding of the subject is taken for granted (perhaps to be expected, since this is a graduate-level text on the subject).
   
   I agree with the review that says this book would be invaluable for research and obtaining a deep understanding of transport phenomena. This book would be perfect if the basic principles of transport phenomena were repeatedly touched upon (one example is the the equations on p. 4, which are mentioned once and used without citation or warning in several examples) for the first few chapters (and THEN steps could be skipped and the reader's knowledge can be taken for granted). Then, anyone with enough mathematical aptitude could obtain a very deep understanding of transport phenomena by reading this book.



5. Very good graduate level text. Not an introductory text. Like some of the other reviews say, the author does not spend much time with the basics, however if that is what you are after, look at B-S-L Transport Phenomena.

5 comments about Rocket Propulsion Elements, 7th Edition.

1. I have loved rocket propulsion in all its forms (real and imagined) since I was following the Apollo 11 mission on television. This book will help you with every aspect of rocketry whether for direct professional relevance, hobbyist development or whether you dream with many of us of solving the problems that will allow us (as so eloquently put by the late Carl Sagan) to "dip our toes in the cosmic ocean". I believe we must swim between the stars and the nuts and bolts foundations for doing it are in this book. Go get it. Lets do it.



2. When as a young physicist I started working on rocket nozzle design most of the material in this book had to be dug up from a paper here, a book there, or else it simply wasn't known. Now here's everything you need to know in a couple of chapters. And besides nozzle design, here in information on virtually every aspect of rockets from the design to the propellents, from concepts to testing. Most of the book is on conventional liquid or solid fuel chemical rockets, because that's where most of the action is today. There is a new chapter (from my older edition) on electrical propulsion.
   
   The book is suitable for use as a textbook for either a one or two term course, or as an introductory book to an engineer now moving into the field, or as a reference book for the experienced. It is especially good to use when you need to come up to speed on some area of the business where you don't normally work.
   
   The one weakness of the book is the lack of discussion on computers either in terms of engine control systems or of the design software that is avaiable. Next revision I guess.



3. I was fortunate enough to have a rocket propulsion internship at the Moscow Aviation Institute when I was an undergrad. As I hadn't taken a full-fledged rocket propulsion I bought this book for the trip. After arriving I proudly showed this great tome to my researchers to which they scanned it and replied, "This book is great if you would like to look at pictures and read vague stories about general rocketry, but it doesn't explain at all how to engineer or build anything, so it is worthless." I passed this off as hubris until they gave me a couple of the old Soviet books on rocket engineering full of detailed performance characteristics and equations which were horribly lacking in Sutton. Even with my nonexistent Russian they were more useful than "the tome." Unfortunately I wasn't able to bring their engineering books back with me, but trust me, I was ashamed I had brought Sutton. I ended up not even using it as a door stop. I can hope future versions will get technical but don't count on it. If it hasn't managed to do it in 50 years since it was first published, it probably won't happen.



4. I picked up this book in a used bookstore on a lark, tossed it on my "in" pile of books, and there it languished for a year or so. When I finally picked it up as a cure for insomnia, I managed to make my way through 2/3 of the thing before finally falling asleep. This book is marvelous. I had no idea what was involved in real rocket science, but quite a bit. Vibration physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, injectors, turbopumps... The book would make a wonderful practical course for, say, a senior physics student, to test his knowledge of different fields. I was also struck by the elegant simplicity of the models which were actually used to design the rockets we use today. This is no cookbook of differential equations for finite element analysis and doing what the idiot box says; this hearkens back to when engineers used slide rules, and designed things they really understood. The elegant results for nozzle shape, driven by thermodynamics (I had no idea why rockets had big nozzles like they do), and flame length estimators of rocket thrust alone were worth the price of the book.
   
   I had no idea it is still used as a textbook for rocketry (I have the second edition from 1956), but it doesn't surprise me terribly. The lucidity of the writing and derivations made this almost inevitable. I'm sure there are more practical books in Russian, but there aren't in English, so this one will remain a classic until Americans begin to do real rocket science again.



5. I'm only sixteen years old, and still only in algebra 2, but I bought this book because I am extremely fascinated with rocketry and I want to learn more about it. This will be a text that will be with me throughout my college years and beyond, and I feel that it was a great investment. The math and chemistry are a little intimidating thus far, but then again, where do they get the phrase, "It's not rocket science!"? I realize it's a little ambitious for me, but if I systematically go through it I'm that much closer to experimental rocketry/spacecraft.
   
   The book is thoughtfully laid out, and exhaustively covers pretty much every area of rocket propulsion. I would recommend this book to any aspiring rocket scientist!

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.

3 comments about Water Supply and Pollution Control (7th Edition).

1. The book is very easy reading and understandable, but it does not have answers to the work problems which is most important. It has a good balance of theory and applications.



2. As teacher of an Environmental Engineering course (at Ariel Academic College, Israel) and as consulting engineer, I find the book useful, but... Some areas are weak: Population and demand prognosis, Resource planning, Economic evaluation and optimization, Advanced water treatment (membrane and ion exchange technologies, for example), Desalination of brackish and sea water. Each chapter has a well explained exercise, a very useful feature, but most are non metric. All in all, I know of no better textbook, and it is worth its money.



3. The book was brand new and got here in three days. Cheaper than the bookstore and the wait was very short.