5 comments about Microscale Organic Laboratory: with Multistep and Multiscale Syntheses.

1. I used this text for my organic labs (2 semesters, for majors). I thought the book was pitiful. From the undergrad's perspective, it was disorganized, unclear, verbose; generally excessive. The black and white pages with black line figures are not exactly a pleasure to read. I HAD to buy it. I hope you don't!



2. Chances are you are not buying this book for your home organic lab. You probably are buying this for a class. I feel sorry for you.



3. I have had some terrible professors, but I have NEVER had a book that was as insufficient and wholly undeveloped in its topic. Mayo et al. may know what they are doing in the laboratory, but they must know NOTHING of writing books to convey knowledge. Someone told me that this is the most widely used book for organic chemistry labs. If that is true, I hate to see the sad state of science in a few years when we start to see all the chemists it produces. Because of the overwhelming difficulty of the problems in this book, students are forced to concentrate on specific answers to the questions that are asked and not on the concepts overall. The result: for all the complexity and effort involved, the student learns NOTHING. The second half of the book outright states (in the intro to Chapter 7) that "the mechanisms ... are more involved and not generally developed at the introductory level." I am an undergraduate student whose second semester of organic chemistry lab far outstrips the two- semester academic textbook.



4. This is one of the worst textbooks I have ever used. Luckily, we only used to for one week...I couldn't imagine having to use it for any longer than that. Unfortunately there isn't an option for zero stars.



5. This is my first semester organic chemistry course. Even though I have been using another book for laboratory "Organic Chemistry Lab [...] by Charles E., Jr. Bell", this book helped me to understand the concepts better (many times the instructor quized us on the reasoning behind an experiment which Bell does not mention).
   Moreover, Bell's book is somewhat incomplete. For about 25% of the experiments that I performed, we used hand-outs because Bell's did not handle them correclty.
   I think that "developing microscale techniques" section was really good to introduce you to the most important techniques that one must master (which Bell does not mention much either.) I think that this book is not as bad as the other reviewers think, at least, relatively not as bad as they might think.

5 comments about Workflow Modeling: Tools for Process Improvement and Application Development.

1. Everything started with the creation of a two days workshop: Workflow Process Modeling. The authors have continually improved the workshop with participants' feedback and ideas based on their own hands-on consulting work with many organizations. The book is very well structured and it is based on real world experience. The structure is simple with no unnecessary parts that usually fill other books with redundant content. The content is not a mere recount of personal experiences: there are plenty of references to other publications. Plus, you will find good humor in the book that makes it even more readable.
   
   Although the authors declared their work aimed at application development work as a final outcome, the book is focused very much on the business side with emphasis on process workflow. Nowadays the specialization pushes further and further apart the role of a business analyst from the system analyst, while in the past some would refer to these roles as one. This book might not be very useful for a system analyst because it is not very technically oriented. You will not find yourself drown under zillions of diagrams created with a specific software package, but you will get instead a method of how to approach business analysis from a broad, yet practical, perspective. The book does not bother even to talk too much about UML. I found that refreshing and extremely useful. I have been searching for a book that is more like a thought provoking companion rather than a software tool manual and this book fits that description.
   
   Workflow Modeling is a comprehensive book. It does not focus on a particular stage of business analysis. It provides an inventory of areas the professional business process consultant would have to consider and the rationale for each one of them. Some readers might not agree with the little amount of space dedicated to class modeling which is almost inexistent. On the plus side, the authors talk about approach in dealing with project stakeholders, pitfalls, team building and difficulties and what questions to ask in various situations. The authors appreciate the importance of the final delivery, how to map the road between the as-is process to to-be process and understand the structure of the organization. I found many things that were said here very realistic and valuable; I could relate them to my own experience. The book does not say much about class modeling, but it talks a lot about swimlane diagrams and use cases analysis.
   
   You can use Workflow Modeling to design your own work template that suits your style and formation. You can come back , re-read some parts or the whole book (I have done that) and still get something out of it. I recommend the book as a good investment that will not go out of fashion very soon.



2. I was recommended this book from BPMN Essentials course I recently took and just finished the book. It has a great deal of examples and suggestions for how to perform process modelling, which I like.



3. I enjoyed this book because of:
   1) clear, coherent logic
   2) it's very practical from cover to cover - everything you need to know before modeling processes you can find here and use it in your work on the very next day
   3) the language - it's plain and definitely supports better adoption of the tools described. I also like the authors' delicate humor :)
   
   As a whole - two thumbs up, 5 stars.



4. Good overall analysis and methodology for approaching process re-design projects. Very practical and well written. Includes strategies for avoiding common pitfalls.



5. This book is great! It is well written, easy to read, and put together in a logical manner. Everyone that has an interest in improving business processes should take the time to read the book.
   
   For those that are new to the world of process it will be a real eye opener (and a bit of a page turner). For those that are self taught it will save you 20 years of trial and error. For those that are industry experts it serves as a great (and necessary) reminder that if you miss the big picture - your project is off track.
   
   I attended a BPM conference in late 2006 and was amazed at how theoretical and up in the clouds many of the so called experts were. Alec is different, his approach is field tested, practical, and it works.

No comments about Construction Master Pro: Workbook and Study Guide.

3 comments about Warehouse Distribution and Operations Handbook (McGraw-Hill Handbooks).

1. This is the best book I've ever found on material handling and warehouse storage. Though a little pricey, this book has content that makes it well worth the cost. Extensive detail on material handling and storage equipment. Also has separate chapters dedicated to small item warehouses, case-pick warehouses, and pallet warehouses.
   Anyone designing a new warehouse or redesigning an existing one should read this book.



2. This book is a must for ANY professional working in the finished-goods/products Fulfillment/Distribution world. If your work and responsibilities span anywhere within a FC/DC, you should pick up this book. For less than one hundred bucks, you get one of the best written, concise handbooks I have ever encountered.
   
   It's very important to note that this is not just a dictionary-like handbook, but rather a book that is actually easily readble and enjoyable. It is not for novices, but for anyone with some level of experience, the book comes to life and will help you build depth.
   
   I work for a major e-retailer that disbributes products to end customers. Having worked many years here and picking up most of the know-how from experience alone, I am now questioning why our learning dept doesn't have the insight to make this book a "required" manual for all when we first started. It is excellent and provides great explanations and applications .
   
   Buy it. If I ran a DC/FC, this is a must read for all my mgrs and jr mgrs.



3. Great for the in dept look at a well run warehouse. Has all the details to help you start or clean-up an operation and help it run like a well oiled machine.

1 comments about Concepts in Wine Technology.

1. good book must to have if you are a wine maker

5 comments about Crystal Clear: A Human-Powered Methodology for Small Teams (Agile Software Development Series).

1. Lots of relevent information about Software Development project management. It give insight into ways of dealing with stuff I see every day at work. I am about 1/3 of they way through, it is well laid out, I'd recommend it for anyone that is a technology development group and want some good ideas for how to deal with projects.



2. The Crystal methodology is extremely lightweight, and is not saddled with the percieved "rules" of XP. This is *the* guidebook for the Crystal familiy. Pick a few of the 7 properties and get started building better software!



3. Cockburn's writing style is fluid, the agile development topic is interesting, and his experience is very valuable.



4. I love this book. Recommended read for anyone who has to obtain requirements form customers. The book also has many team building elements and a great Agile roadmap.



5. The "Agile" umbrella includes multiple approaches/lenses from which to view, practice and evolve software and teams. Alistair's material offers an additional lens. So when reading this material, I don't believe it was ever his intent for people to pick up Crystal and say "This is it". Rather, this material offers an alternative framework of thought that would nicely meld/synthesize with other characteristics/practices/behaviors under the Agile umbrella of software evolution. I've not personally applied the material yet .. but could see it's inter-relationship to those things I do currently practice today under the Agile space.

5 comments about Mastering Digital Black and White: A Photographer's Guide to High Quality Black-and-White Imaging and Printing (Digital Process and Print).

1. Very good overview and very timely. The samples of solutions available in the marletplace are up to date for 2007.



2. Extremely useful for any serious photographer interested in printing in high quality black and white.



3. Good photography transcends whether the image was captured in full color or black-and-white, and Amadou Diallo recognizes that fact in presenting this excellent guidebook for imaging in monochrome. Virtually everything in this book has applications in color photography as well, whether it's the description of proper calibration to the invaluable tips on tonality. If you aspire to be a better photographer, this book is a good place to start. You'll find that after you've mastered black-and-white image capture and output, you'll be well on the road to mastery of all aspects of good photography. Recommended.



4. Very good book but extremely technical. Not a quick read but is chock-full of useful and practical information. Recommend it as a good addition to your personal reference library.



5. This book does live up to its title in my opinion. The illustrations are very well organized with the text, moving from simple to more complex.
   
   All digital imaging technologies become altered by sucessive innovations, but this kind of text lays down a foundation for you to proceed into the future. Amadou doesn't give detailed workflows for every ink, media, and printer out there for the simple reason that the rate in which ALL of these inksets, rips, and printers are changing would made such an endeavor impossible, and certainly out of date by the time of publishing. That is the fault of our era not the fault of the author.
   
   I agree with the other poster who stated that Amadou's book is equally useful for many color imaging concepts. In a way it is the foundation for them. For someone venturing into this territory for the first time it lets you know who the players are in monochrome inkjet imaging, and where the technology has been in the recent past, and where the information will be available in the future.
   
   John

5 comments about Lean Production Simplified: A Plain-Language Guide to the World's Most Powerful Production System.

1. "Lean Production Simplified" is essential reading for anyone new to lean. With a wonderfully clear writing style Pascal Dennis gives an overview of the structure and tools of lean including an excellent short history. Dennis clearly explains the concepts and philosophy of lean - though this is not a "how-to" book and does not give detailed methods for the tools. The book is an excellent introduction to lean. For example, I found its 20 pages on Hoshin planning explained the process better than any other work I've read.
   
   You can tell when an author really understands the lean process - they emphasise the importance of behavioural and cultural aspects of lean and recognise that these are at least as important as the tools. Dennis's chapters on involvement and lean culture are excellent. He clearly lives the lean philosophy. "Lean Production Simplified" is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand lean.



2. This book explains lean manufacturing in the TPS (Toyota Production System) method. The sentences tend to be short and choppy, but if you have a basic understanding of lean this book can enrich knowledge and provide specific examples.



3. Lean Production Simplified provides a great practical guide to the implementation of lean principles. The author gives enough history and background of lean production to put the concepts into context. He then covers all the basic concepts with a unified approach. We are using this book to orient several new team members to the concepts as we implement important lean projects.



4. I thought this book did a good job in giving you an overview of the lean tools. It is a good reference point if you would like to further study lean activities.



5. I've read many of the more popular lean books (see our other reviews), and have been doing lean full-time since 2000. In my view this book has the best, most complete field of view of them all, touching on several concepts that get no attention in any other lean overview text. It should be noted that as far a depth goes however, the name says it all... Lean Production Simplified.
   
   Pro:
   -Shingo prize winner
   -Brief yet complete coverage of lean topics
   -Coverage of several topics not found elsewhere, including the much ignored hoshin kanri
   -Decent chapter summaries, ample examples and figures
   
   Con:
   -I guess about the worst you can say is there's too many misspellings for a 2nd edition.
   -Perhaps too many sentences that start with, "At Toyota" which create some repetitive reading.
   
   Bottom line: Highly recommended for exposure to the basics.

5 comments about Molecules and Medicine.

1. This book did not meet my expectations. I was hoping to find interesting stories about the development of these medicines and why they were developed for their diseases, but did not find this in this book.



2. This is really a very interesting book that touches on some important aspects of drugs while covering the real breakthroughs in this field. The individual summaries on each of the drugs are very helpful, though brief and thus incomplete. However, you really do need a background in organic chemistry and biology to get the most out of it-- the book is oddly accessible and out of read at the same time.



3. I strongly recommend this book, it is well organized, outstandingly illustrated, and a great guide to students, undergraduate and graduate, of enticing and valuable compounds.



4. With the level of interest in pharmaceuticals never being higher, this timely contribution is a home run. This is a must for organic and medicinal chemists and for anyone who wants obtain accurate information on important drugs.



5. The present book, written in a precise and concise manner, illustrates efficiently the development of medicinal chemistry providing the reader an insight of this increasingly imperative field.

No comments about Kanban for the Shopfloor (Shopfloor Series).