5 comments about It's Not Luck.

1. Great book! My first intention was not to buy this book. It was suggested to me. It ended up being very good. I'm glad that Amazon suggested it to me.
   Thank you



2. Another Goldratt teaching novel that teaches his thinking processes in story format. Fun reading. Inspires trying to solve work process problems that are hard because the current reality has contradictions in it. Setting is far from most workplaces, but then so are spy novels. Read the story for fun, and then read Scheinkopf's Thinking for a Change: Putting the TOC Thinking Processes to Use to learn the methods.



3. Goldratt takes us through he paces again, but this time not quite as ground breaking and informative as the Goal. Of course the Goal remains standard reading for all young managers in any sort of manufacturing environment, and the TOC is a baseline concept that they should wrap their mind around. This book is good and adds a little refinement on top of the previous books, but should definitely be down in the pile. Start with the Goal, and keep this book on the low priority / rainy day list.



4. This book truly is a sequal to the goal. In the goal we were introduced the important topic of throughput, inventory and operational expenses. On throuput we learnt how "work" flows through a process, how to manage buffers and when to introduce work into the system. We see how inventory is just held-up cash and why we should try to minimize it within the limits of our constraints. Finally, on operational expenses, we see how cost accounting can really distort the reality and that having excess capacity can actually be a good thing.
   
   In this book the author doesn't just repeat the process at a higher level. Instead we are introduced to new material: the Thinking Process. This is a toolkit for problem solving tools, which make us question our assumptions. These tools are named "Current & Future Reality Trees", "Pre-requisite Tree", "Transition-Tree" and "Negative Branch Reservations". As the story unfolds, our hero is busy applying the Thinking Process in sales in order to generate a leap in profits.
   
   At times, I found the book to be a bit "verbose" in the sense that reading a series of almost repeating if-then statements can be somewhat tedious. But there are some small diagrams that help you follow. All in all, I liked the book but it's an introduction not a manual. Neither this book nor the previous is much more than an introduction to the topic.
   
   For a more in-depth look at the Theory of Constraints and to gain sufficient knowledge to apply it to a business, you would definitely need another book.



5. This book is nowhere near it's predecessor 'The Goal', but it's still a very good book. If you've read the previous book this will add to the experience and will give you insight in some new sectors the theory of constraints can be applied to.
   
   It is not hard to read any of the books by Goldratt, as they read like a business novel. However, it will make you think about certain processes like it's the one million dollar one. That's what makes this series good; motivational writing and plain problem solving. Hey, who didn't like puzzles when they were kids?
   
   Liked the first one? Then get this one, as it is the second best of the series.

5 comments about 507 Mechanical Movements: Mechanisms and Devices (Dover Science Books).

1. well... it is what it says it is. I was under-whelmed. This is just a reprinting of old old patent drawings with very incomplete descriptions of the mechanisms described. In fact all of this is duplicated in "1800 Mechanical Movements Devices and Appliances" down to the word for word copy of the descriptions.
   Most of the diagrams are self explanatory; of those that aren't, very brief 1902 style descriptions which are probably abridged versions of the original patent application are only a little helpful. The rest (about 15 percent) still don't make sense.
   I was disappointed and I only paid 5 dollars for it.



2. This is a great collection of mechanisms for the curious. There is no kinematic, static or dynamic analysis; nor is it a source book for contemporary mechanism design. Instead there is an inspiring collection of mechanical innovation from the boom era of mechanical design.
   
   I have seen far, far, larger collections (well over 5,000 items) in academic treatises and a modern mechanism sourcebook may be more useful to the busy mechanical inventor - but there is still a lot of value in having this gem to hand.
   
   Dover has again produced a clear (though small) and robust paperback version of an old classic at a very attractive price.



3. What more can be said about this essential book for all gizmologists? This is a great book just to get the brain working.



4. The illustrations are well done, many of the mechanisms are repeated. The descriptions are dated. All in all, I would not buy this book again.



5. Keep in mind that this book 1) is paperback, 2) measures 6 1/4 inches wide by 7 1/8 inches tall, and 3) most every illustration is less than 2" square. All the illustrations are clear - printed in a grid on the left handside with a SHORT explanation of what it does on the right. The movements are described, but a lot of them leave me wondering what the heck you'd use them for in the real world. Certainly not as detailed of a book as I was expecting, but a nice LITTLE reference. On with a search for something more detailed!

5 comments about The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction.

1. I found this book very disappointing. The pictures were very pretty but that is pretty much it. The illustrations were confusing and of little use. It gives too much of an overview and no real specifics. I found woodworking for dummies to be a much better book for the beginning woodworker.



2. I don't buy many woodworking books because most, especially the ones sold by home centers, aren't very good. They lack detail, they're incomplete, and I often get the feeling that they're just cranked out without much thought. But this one caught my eye in a local bookstore and I'm glad I bought it.
   
   First of all, the book can be used either as a reference or as a complete primer on woodworking. There's lots of information there, but not so much that you get bogged down. At first I just used it to brush up on specific topics, and then I went back to the first page and started reading it straight through. It's well-written; words are used well and not wasted. Photography is superb. Despite the reference to generic "Furniture" in the title, the book is heavily oriented toward cabinets, which it covers in great detail, even to the point of describing how to construct multi-light glass doors.
   
   The first few pages are a little off-putting as the author describes what he considers an appropriate collection of tools and a space to put them in; unfortunately, many woodworking books assume that the reader has acres of space in which to set up a shop. As you read on, though, the text is more friendly toward the hobbyist.
   
   In short, this is a great woodworking reference or tutorial. Don't be put off by the beginning of the book; it gets better. And the Amazon price for this book is much lower than the $40 I paid in the bookstore.



3. Got this for my husband for his birthday and he loves it. Hasn't had a chance to build anything since, but it will definately come in handy. The quality of the book itself is very good especially for how low the price was. There are good pictures to follow and very thorough information and directions.



4. Given the scope of this work, I'm not sure what I expected, but I feel like, after reading a book on furniture and cabinet making, I ought to have some idea of how to construct a basic cabinet. While this book covers a wide variety of general techniques and types of joints commonly used, at no point does it tie them together; it discusses possibilities, but never synthesizes them into anything tangible, leaving me, at least, wondering which of the book's assorted grab bag of clever tricks might be combined to actually produce a cabinet. I already knew what a sliding dovetail was before I bought this book; what I sought to learn was the architecture and structural elements needed to design a cabinet. Strangely, I feel like I'm no closer to that knowledge than I was before I read the book.



5. Had some ok spatterings of information , but overall I found it a bit dissapointing. Its a fairly big book but doesnt seem to really show anthing ground breaking. If I had seen it before hand I wouldn't buy it again. Thats not to say in the right hands this book wouldn't be handy .Has some interesting info on how to make your own hinges, apart from that the rest is pretty standard stuff.

5 comments about Practical Watch Repairing.

1. SImple things using the right tools and procedures can allow you to get the satisfaction for the simple repairs. I would suggest doing classes etc or going to a professional for the more advanced types of repairs. The book also allows you to gain an appreciation of actually what makes then tick and tock.



2. I am amazed that this book (my edition printed in 2006) is an exact copy of a 1971 printing. Mechanical watches of today are readily described in this 35 year old text.
   
   The 1971 dust jacket has hand drawn lettering. The 2006 dust jacket has been cleaned up by computer aided drawing. It was amazing to find out that the author passed away in 1989. He unfortunately lived long enough to see the Japanese demolish the mechanical watch industry.
   
   This book does have a place in today's world...The mechanical Swiss Watch is making a comeback, although limited to those willing to invest in a $400 and up watch. But if you buy a good Swiss mechanical, it can be passed down and repaired by your heirs.. This book will probably still be available, when your heirloom is in need of repair...



3. This product, though very good, was not what I expected. It is apparently a very early book on watch repair (updated through the years), written by a watch repairman. The book targets persons wanting to begin a watch repair business, so it included the ideal work space, all the tools necessary to begin an ultimately profitable business, all good information but more than I wanted or needed. It is sometimes difficult to read because a few sections are quite technical and include jargon, but I was also able to locate and understand the information I needed for my own home watch repairs.



4. As a watchmaker by Trade, i bought this out of curiosity. From the techinques of openning a watch case to the description of indiviual watch parts is grossly outdated. New technology in watch production rendered this book obsolete and would only be suited to someone whose advanced in their studies as a watchmaker rather than a novice.



5. I wanted a book that would help me understand and at the end allow me to repair or clean, oil and adjust a watch. This book didn't do it. It says you can start as a beginner. Wrong. Regardless of what other reviewers say, you will not end up disassembling and reassembling a vintage wristwatch. The material is too old and does not cover how you can do the tasks mentioned in the book with today's technology. You'll wind up falling to sleep.

4 comments about Machinery's Handbook 28th Larger Print Edition (Machinery's Handbook).

1. This book is easier on the eyes thanks to the larger print and builds bigger muscles due to its larger size! As usual this book has all the necessary info to get my mechanical engineering design tasks complete only it's improved.



2. The product is certainly comprehensive and reasonably well made for reading in an 'office-friendly' environment, however I don't think that the book would survive too long in a workshop, the pages are too flimsey and I wouldn't expect them to last in such an environment. To overcome this dilema the publisher might consider packaging the CD with the book for the book price so that hobbists like me can have it available also on screen (e.g. a PC screen that is also being used for CNC operations in the workshop). In that case, why not just have the CD you might ask - I say there is nothing like being able to thumb through the real thing (the book) before hitting the workshop (to view the book on-screen). Notwithstanding, every model engineer should have this reference.



3. There's definitely a wealth of information / data in this book, 75% of which I will probably never use given the nature of my profession. I'm giving this book 5 stars because so far it's lived up to my expectations. I could probably find some of the same information I need on the internet, but it's handy to have so much of it all right here in this handy albeit rather large book.
   
   I can see, as another reviewer pointed out, that this might not be best suited for hostile environments. It's served me well so far at my clean but cluttered desk, and undoubtedly will continue to hold up for many years. I'm not sure that I'd be willing to pay extra for a bombproof version.
   
   As much as I hate to admit it, sometimes when I need a quick break from staring at the computer monitor, I find myself randomly flipping through the pages of my Machinery's Handbook in search of something interesting. So far, it hasn't let me down.
   
   This won't make it on anybody's fast-paced action/adventure bestseller list, but it's clearly an invaluable resource for the mechanically inclined.



4. This is a great reference book. It has all the information a student or experienced professional metalworker needs.
   
   Not much of a plot for late nite reading though.

5 comments about Making It: Manufacturing Techniques for Product Design.

1. Very readable & understandable review of various materials specifications & materials techniques including both traditional and the unconventional.
   
   A good catalogue of one of the elementary and fundamental drivers for new product design.



2. I am a 1st year student in an industrial design dept. the book really gives a wide review over production methods and in a very elegant non-exhaustive way. It maps the methods of production and gives cross-refrences that describes a reliable picture of the industrial processes and their characteristics. In conclusion - analitic and kind. highly recomended.



3. A catalog of processes is essentially what this book is. It's broken into 7 process sections: Cut from Solid, Sheet, Continuous, Thin & Hollow, Into Solid, Complex and Advanced. Each section has from 6-20 subset processes, eg, 'Cut From Solid' includes CNC machining, Turning, etc., 'Into Solid' has Forging, Sintering, 'Thin and Hollow' processes such as Blow Molding, Filament Winding, etc. The range of processes seems quite comprehensive and includes some I'd never heard of before such as Inflating Metal under the Sheet section, which is basically using air to inflate sheets of metal in a mold.
   
   Each process is typically described in 2-3 pages and follows a common layout. There's a picture of a typical item produced, some text describing the process, and an information section which includes economic production volume, type of surface and finish, and the typical sizes and tolerances of parts produced. This is followed by a '+' and '-' list of advantages and disadvantages of the particular process.
   
   A Further Information section on each process lists web addresses of manufacturers who supply the process and/or provide more information on it. This is a great resource, but you do wonder--given the fluidity of the web--how long some of these addresses will be viable.
   
   For the price this book is a great catalog of many of the manufacturing processes available. It doesn't go into any detail on how to design for the process (as a designer) or make it function (as a machinist/manufacturer), but it's a great reference as an overview of available processes, their benefits and limitations, and where to go to get more information.



4. this is an excellent book, it has good pictures and images that describe step by step all the processes.



5. I bought this book from Swipe Books in Toronto because I actually got the chance to read through it and I saw how awesome it was. When I got back to Australia it got to the stage where so many people were borrowing "Making It" from me that I've bought them all their own copies. It's an awesome book, an unbelievable snap shot on every type of manufacturing process out there and why you would use one instead of another. For anyone studying or in ID, just buy it, you won't regret it and will no doubt have to buy your mates a copy because you get sick of them borrowing it too.

5 comments about Statistics for Six Sigma Made Easy.

1. Nice customer seervice and quick shipping. This is Six Sigma style. AAAA+.



2. Brussee's Statistics for Six Sigma Made Easy is a wonderful "how to" text for six sigma stat tools that is very readable, and usable, by anyone with at least a high school level background in mathematics. He has done a great job of simplifying much of what a Green Belt would use from the Six Sigma toolkit, and he presents the material in a format highly conducive to application. The result is a valuable statistics manual for the Six Sigma implementer.



3. I like the level of detalization in this book and simple language explaining the concept, application of statistics, and Sigma methods. The value of this book from my practical point of view is the Case Studies which help to better understand when and how statistics for Six Sigma can be used.



4. Es un libro de altisima calidad, escrito en un lenguaje simple y fácil de entender. Altamente recomendable para todo aquel que quiera introducirse en los conceptos de SixSigma



5. Warren Brusee gets right into the thick of Six Sigma from the very beginning. The author discusses shortcuts and simpler methods than traditional Six Sigma processes that are equally as effective.
   
   Statistics and Quantitative Methods have never been particularly friends of mine. This book is approachable, reads well, has very clear examples, and sample problems.
   
   If you are looking for a book to introduce you to Six Sigma, and teach some very useful tools, make this the first book on the subject you buy.

5 comments about Designing with Type: The Essential Guide to Typography (Designing With Type).

1. Your book arrived today and I totally love it! I really like the improvements in the 5th edition. The color tabs and the projects in the back are very helpful. I love the practical approach to teaching typography. I will most definitely request it as my course textbook for the next term I teach Typography One!
   
   --Sarah Slattery, Adjunct Instructor, Kendall College of Art end Design



2. As a professor of Typography, I think that, that kind of a book has to be the part of each design school library.
   It is important to have it, because you can find in it all kind of basic typography knowledge not only just for Typography students. So, as I said before I am kindly recommended it. Hoping you can find interesting, as am I.
   
   Associate professor, Eduard Cehovin
   Design Department
   Academy of Fine Arts and Design
   University of Ljubljana
   Slovenia



3. I bought this book for a class, but later found out the book was changed. I found this edition much more helpful than the later edition that I had to buy and use for class.



4. An absolute must have for any beginning typography student or instructor. User friendly, it covers the fundamentals of typography comprehensively and with great clarity. I have used it as a text book, when I taught beginning typography and continue to recommend it for my Intermediate and Advanced type classes. No teacher or student of typography should be without this one. Truly a classic from a real pro.



5. This is a great book for learning how to use typography in design. Anyone who is in any design field should look into this book, it will increase you abilities as a designer.

3 comments about Abc's Of Reloading: The Definitive Guide For Novice To Expert (ABC's of Reloading).

1. This book came highly recommended by members of a forum on reloading. I was not disappointed. I will recommend it myself. The book covers the bases and is easy to read. You will need to add other books to your library, ( such as load data for specific calibers ) but this is a very good place to start.



2. This is the book I used when I got started reloading about 10 years ago, and this book gave me just what I needed. When I first got the itch to load my own ammunition, I was overwhelmed by the amount of information and terminology involved in this fascinating field/hobby. It was very difficult to take all the individual pieces of information that I had and form it into an understandable process. I was snowed in under a blizzard of data that I was piecing together through chat rooms and web sites. Everyone was very helpful - basically shooters are the most helpful people I know - but still I was just getting fragments without a solid, complete overview. Phrases like "roll crimp", "seating and sizer dies," and "headspace" came at me in a blizzard. I could look up each phrase, understand each one as a piece, but still the whole picture was fuzzy. In essence, that is what this book will do for you: turn it all into a coherent, linear whole. The writing is very solid and clear, the illustrations are well done and helpful, and the information is very complete. After reading this book, the entire process made sense to me, and more importantly, I was fully warned about the does and don'ts of the reloading world. The coverage is very complete. Primers, powders, bullets and cases are explained with regard to nomenclature and history. All necessary tools and accessories are discussed and explained. This is just a great book. It won't make you an expert (only actual reloading for years will do that), but it will put you on the right road if you wish to become one. --Mykal Banta



3. This book is an excellent introduction to reloading. I had read a lot of the material on-line, however, having a definitive source for the material is most comforting. The author makes excellent points about safety. This is not a reloading guide in the sense of providing recipes, but rather, an introduction to the topic, and a discussion in depth. The author clearly spells out that every reloader will also need not one, but several reloading manuals. As one who never contemplated reloading before, I found the material very understandable. This book both validated my research on the subject and gave me the confidence that I was going about reloading the right way.

5 comments about Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 6th Edition.

1. I JUST SIGNED UP FOR SCHOOL. I AM SAVING ABOUT $ 55.00 BUYING IT ONLINE INSTEAD OF SCHOOL.



2. It is a comprehensive book that can be used an a great resource. I find it very useful. I recommend it.



3. The product is very very good and suportive in my course and in my studying.And i send back one product due to my mistake of ordering two insted of one,i want to know whether you received the product i send back,and how am going to receive my refund back.Thank you.



4. This book is a must have.....Amazon has the best price for it....Free shipping....Its a no brainer....Buy it!!!!



5. This book is great for beginners as well as experienced technicians. Every explanation is detailed with pictures and graphs. All types of refrigeration applications are covered with the how to detail for installing and understanding every component in the system, including helpful tips and safety recommendations.