5 comments about Introductory Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (Prentice Hall International Series in the Physical and Chemical Engineering Sciences).

1. I think the text was pretty good; it made you consult references frequently, and that is a necessary skill to have as an engineer. As an engineer you have to know how to pick up theory and put it to use quickly. The problems were rough and time consuming, but that's because no problems in engineering are easy! When completed, though, you are satisfied. To the last guy: "physics" is the one major that can do anything! Everything in science is either physics or bug collecting, whether you like it or not :) But, engineering is more marketable.



2. I bought this book a few weeks ago thinking that it will give me a good base to begin my first thermo course next year. I was so lost and confused by the book that I immediately sought help, and my tutor told me that I had completely wasted my money. If you are someone who has never done thermo before, like myself, save your money for something more useful: there is nothing introductory about this text. Try checking out Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach by Boles (a MUCH better introductory text-book).



3. I have read the book that was written by Prof. Elliott and Prof. Lira while I was a M.Sc student in Iran. Chapter 15 captured my interests and that's why now I am a Ph.D. student in Prof. Elliott's group. I would suggest the authors to update Chapter 15 and give more FORTRAN programs related to this chapter to readers and explain it in a more coherent way. Also, they should compare their's with Sandler's thermo book to gather some new ideas for the next edition. The name of the book also should be changed for future edition since it's objective is for both undergraduate and graduate students. Finally, I should say that this book was the best thermo book I have ever read.
   Amir Vahid
   [...]



4. I have used this textbook for the last three years in my undergraduate chemical engineering thermodynamics course. Material is presented in a general way and teaches students general problem solving strategies so they can solve any problem, not just a few convenient special cases. There are numerous examples provided for each section of the text and each example is presented step by step. There are a wide range of problems provided at various levels of difficulty from easy to very difficult. In addition, the authors provide a number of Excel spreadsheets and computer programs so that students can solve very complicated phase equilibria problems with little effort.
   
   The only negative comment I have is that the last copy of this textbook I recieved was printed poorly, and the binding fell apart after only one semester of use. The previous two copies I received did not have this problem.
   
   In response to the poster who said their tutor called it a "waste of money", one should keep in mind that this is a chemical engineering textbook, while the Boles text is geared toward mechanical engineers. By the time chemical engineering students take thermodynamics, they have had a year of chemistry, followed by organic chemistry and physical chemistry (or are taking p-chem at the same time as their thermodynamics course). In addition, ChE majors also get basic thermodynamics (1st Law energy balances) in Material and Energy Balances. This text picks up right where the MEB course ends.



5. It was great... I order a newer book with expideted shiping. Guess what IT DID NOT ARRIVE. So this was a little damage in the cover arrive promptly and was my best choice. The book was in better conditions of what I expected.

2 comments about Computer Integrated Manufacturing (3rd Edition).

1. Many manufacturing technology professors feel unsure about the nature and teaching computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)in their program. James A. Rehg and Henry W. Kraebber are dynamic authors, as they present CIM as a technical and strategic function of an organization. They offer a technical and management-based approach for understanding and implementing CIM in the "world class manufacturing" settings. Unlike other CIM books, Computer Integrated Manufacturing is written from the manufacturing technology professor's point of view with technical expertise. The CIM model used is consistent with the SME Manufacturing Enterprise Wheel developed by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. This books explains the fundamental principles as well as practical applications of computer integrated manufacturing in a clear and effective manner and the illustrations complement the text well.



2. Many manufacturing technology professors feel unsure about the nature and teaching computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)in their program. James A. Rehg and Henry W. Kraebber are dynamic authors, as they present CIM as a technical and strategic function of an organization. They offer a technical and management-based approach for understanding and implementing CIM in the "world class manufacturing" settings. Unlike other CIM books, Computer Integrated Manufacturing is written from the manufacturing technology professor's point of view with technical expertise. The CIM model used is consistent with the SME Manufacturing Enterprise Wheel developed by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. This books explains the fundamental principles as well as practical applications of computer integrated manufacturing in a clear and effective manner and the illustrations and complement the text well.

5 comments about Value Stream Management.

1. This book gave me great insight to re-initialized our lean efforts. We have been so busy and got caught up in the value stream mapping craze and kaizen events, but little impact. This book did a superb job in laying out the eight steps, with all the forms, templates necessary to ensure sustainable results. Great work by the authors!



2. This book has helped in all areas of our business. We are incorporating it into all of our processes!! Wonderful training tool for any organization.



3. I use this book in my lean manufacturing class. It has good practical examples and a useful method for doing lean using the value stream mapping approach. I highly receommend this book for the first timers. I think someone who has no experience could get started using this book.



4. This book provides a practical approach for implementing lean manufacturing and what pit-falls should be avoided during the lean journey. Recommended for organizations that are beginning lean manaufacturing implementation.



5. VSM books shows interesting process to apply modern control thinking to production. However, clear products standardisation & determination process could be necessary before methods can be applied as well as possible.
   
   Discussed waste elimination is generally nice approach. Waste elimination possibilities in organisations should to be evaluated with this book and more generally at lean bibliography, because elimination of waste helps almost everybody. :)

5 comments about The Papermaker's Companion: The Ultimate Guide to Making And Using Handmade Paper.

1. I received this book as a gift and I really like it. I am a brand new papermaker and was able to use this book right away and make a recycled paper batch that looked great. The details about making a mould and presses really helped. I recommend this book not only because it has the basics but it also has intermediate concepts.



2. Finally, I found a book that isn't about pretty pictures and way out there techniques. This book is about making paper. Helen gives you all the nuances necessary to make paper on your own. This is a comprehensive, information-packed book that is THE must-have for any beginner or even intermediate. Too many books show us beautiful photos of great art work but neglect to give us those finer details that would make our efforts a success. This book shows you how to succeed.



3. I checked the Papermaker's Companion out of the library just for some basic information about paper making. I found myself referring to it so often that I renewed the loan. And again. Finally, I broke down and bought my own copy. The recipes and instructions are clear and fairly comprehensive. The book contains at least a basic explanation of everything from using recycled paper to making your own pulp from plants and leaves. The projects are interesting and clearly explained. This is a good reference book for experienced paper makers and a good beginner's guide for those just starting out. Although it does contain a few projects for kids, this book is more appropriate for older teens and adults.



4. This is a comprehensive little book for those who want to learn about making paper! The title says it all. It is pretty clear; both in its instructions as well as detailing the material needed. It can guide you through something simple that will leave you with a piece of paper so you can say "I did it" and its not for me. Or, help you set up a full studio so you can really get into making paper for art, for gift giving, for writing, for what ever purpose. If the latter becomes your passion, then you will probably have to move on to something more detailed for expanding your craft. This is a nice, basic beginner book, although not a "papermaking for dummies" level. Read it through, figure out where you want to start, and give it a try!



5. book is well written and covers all the basics pretty well. onecan get stqrted making paper by following guidelines in this book. addresses most needs and covers method well.

4 comments about Food Analysis (Food Science Texts Series).

1. dear sirs, as a matter of fact ,we need to know if this book is usefull for processing of potato chips and can this book help us for using a better technology for oil consumption in our production.since we are researching on how we can reduce oil in potato chips.



2. The book handles all the techniques, principles and recommended applications regarding sampling, proximate analysis and special analysis for the main components in foods, carbohydrate, protein and fats. It also includes an excellent review on the biochemical and instrumental methods. I would recommend a second book regarding the special analysis for the food groups. I lecture on food analysis and found it to be an excellent support for my course.



3. i found it a very good book to understand the basics of spectroscopy and chromatography in addition to other analysis procedures.



4. This text book is required by the professor for the course my daughter taking for her 4th year in bio-engineering and is available in the university bookstore at twice the price we paid at Amazon. The delivery time for Amazon is amazingly fast, virtually overnight for Amazon Prime account, my daughter is completely satisfied with it. I would advise those who are attending college to make Amazon as the first stop for their text book needs.

1 comments about Chemical Principles in the Laboratory.

1. This book uses removable pages as prelabs which were very good in giving a conceptual idea of the experiments before they were done. Also, there are good flowcharts, equations for every step of the reactions, and formulas to help do the problems. All data that needs to be recorded is clearly mentioned in a form format.

5 comments about Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering (7th Edition) (Prentice Hall International Series in the Physical and Chemical Engineering Sciences).

1. This book is a classic . With all my respects to the next authors , this book belongs from its initial release to a selected dinasty of works made with an unusual passion style , and that invisible factor seems to make the clear difference . The presentation , the precise comments and the appraoch given to every chapter where the essential concepts of Mass balance or Energy balance are so brilliantly shown that it is literally impossible for you not to win with this .
   And after you bought it you will wonder in silent voice of course ( Do we need a teacher for Chemical Engineering Principles? ) .
   If you acquire this one and then the Whitwell and Tonner (see my review) , How can you lose ?
   Fundamental for Chemical , Production and Industrial Engineering.



2. This book is well worth the money. I was very impressed by the examples and excellent explanations. Highly recommend this book to any chemical or process engineer



3. This book is an excellent reference on Chemical Engineering Principles and Calculations for any engineer or practitioner working in the process industries. I am an Electronic Engineer, but I have been working for the last 16 years as an Instrumentation, Automation and Process Control Engineer for the Oil & Gas Industry. As a result I have been involved with Chemical Engineering issues in a day to day basic.
   
   I have found this book to be an ideal self-study guide. In this Edition the authors have included several categories of problems sets to assist in self-study. Self-assessment tests with answers (in Appendix A) follow each section, and thought and discussion problems follow the self-assessment tests.
   
   If a non Chemical Engineer can learn Chemical Engineering Principles from this book, I guarantee that any Chemical Engineering student or practitioner will find this readable textbook very useful.



4. I bought this book when I was taking my course in material and energy balances, I have got the one by Felder and Rosseau which I thought, no offence to the authors, totally awful, and not good for self-teaching at all. I have another title ("Introduction to Chemical Processes") by Regina Murphy which although not on the same level as this, is a much light-hearted approach to the same subject matter. On the whole for anyone who wants to teach and understand material and energy balances for Chemical Engineers, this book is one I would recommend highly.



5. This was the book that got me started in Chemical Engineering. Nowadays, I solve a problem every few years and need a refresher. The first chapter starts out with details on units and basic concepts. The next chapter evolves into more and more complicated material balances. The following chapters discuss concepts such as adiabatic flame temperature, Clausius-Clapeyron's equation (vapor pressure relates to heat of vaporization), average heat capacity and enthalpy of flue gases, psychrometry (water-air only), etc.. In the final section, the complexity of combined heat and material balances is addressed.
   
   In all, this is an excellent book for an introduction to Chemical Engineering or, as I use it now, as a great reference. I've had to retire my first copy and am using a new version. One bit of advice: get good copies of large and small psychrometry charts: 10-110 F dry bulb (small chart); 10-260+ (large chart).Put these in an envelope in the flap of the book for quick access.
   
   If this review was helpful, please add your vote.

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.

3 comments about Polymer Chemistry, Second Edition.

1. Classic text on polymer chemistry. Professors usually teach directly out of this book, and are excited to discover that it is back in print. Though "Polymer Chemistry" has not been updated since 1984, by no means is it outdated. Intended for senior-level undergraduate or beginning graduate level, this text covers introductory terminology, basic chain dynamics, basic rheological characterization, crystallization, thermodynamics of the glassy state, synthesis, reaction kinetics, and solution thermodynamics.

   This book is written from the chemist's perspective and meant as an introduction. Chemists wishing to specialize in the organic synthesis aspect may also benefit from "Principles of Polymerization" by Odian. Materials engineers would likewise turn to a polymer physics text and keep Hiemenz as a reference.

   While this book is indispensible as a student text, its format isn't conducive to leisurely reading. A professional wishing to brush-up on skills may benefit from other texts.




2. This book of Paul Hiemenz' could have been almost halved without detriment to its content. I would not point this out if the language were engaging, but it is not.



3. As I have said in my title, this is an excellent book for introductory physical polymer science. Not that good for organic/synthetic polymer science.

3 comments about Introduction to Organic Laboratory Techniques: A Small-Scale Approach (Saunders Golden Sunburst Series).

1. An outstanding lab text for sophomore level 1-yr organic courses. Any chemistry/physical science major should not sell this book back at the end of the semester! Half of the book is dedicated to experiments which while informative is not the real gem here. The other half of the book covers techniques in organic and microscale chemistry. If you ever need to build a chromatographic column or do vacuum filtration again, you will be glad that you kept this book in your library.

   The techniques section alone justifies buying this book. Chemistry majors, microbiologists, environmental scientists and engineers will all find this text valuable in their future careers.




2. Dr. Pavia's class was so much fun. It was great to have a book written for our facility, by our instructors. I recommend this book to other schools because the techniques are clearly explained and the experiments are interesting.



3. It has taken this company a month to even send this book. It is quite amazing how slow this company and how it treats its customers. Do not expect books to come unless you want to wait til the book become a classic. Highly suggest to purchase from someone else. Luckly, I've been using a book from lab TA for my organic lab
   class.