5 comments about Introduction to Materials Management (6th Edition).

1. This book covers the basics of material management and goes into some quantitative detail as well. It is very well written and its lucid style is perfect for a beginner to get a grasp on the subject.
   
   The author clearly and logically explains the concepts of production planning, master production schedule, MRP, Production and activity control, purchasing, inventory management, forcasting, demand planning and much more.
   
   The book also has an abundance of examples and exercises for the student to work through. It makes a good read as a beginner's textbook - but it is probably not very useful as a practical guide for the experienced professional.



2. This is one of the best books I have come across which explains the basics of Manufacturing.



3. This book has an easy written language and is very good for beginners in the Supply Chain Management Area.



4. I own the 4th edition. I had to make a comment after amazon recommended the 5th.
   
   This is a great book. Originally, i was PO'ed at the price. Especially when you get it and its quite thin compared to many texts. I had to get it for APICS.
   
   Once you start reading it you find it cuts through all waste. This is not a padded book. It explains concepts in a brief, direct manner. Most importantly it communicates clearly. Its like a well written executive summary of the field of materials management. There is enough detail for practitioners.
   
   I have almost all texts in the recommended reading of APICS. This is probably my favorite. The utility you will get per unit of time reading this is huge.



5. My Professor is Lloyd Clive at Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario. I had the oppertunity to study the book as he explained it, giving me the full benefit of this text. It is a well related book meaning it is easy to understand becuase it relates to real world and real expierences. Great buy if your interested.

5 comments about The Colouring, Bronzing and Patination of Metals.

1. More than pleased with this purchase. These guys put serious time and energy into relaying info about patination. They leave no questions unanswered, as well as, they give tons of formulas to create with. The amazon price is the best out there!



2. Very nicely done, but I concur with those who believe additional photos are a must. A CD-ROM with high resolution images to go with each of the authors' experiments would be a useful upgrade to an otherwise astonishing book.
   
   I do feel that this book flags the hazardous materials very well, in fact, included are recipes which are subsequently not recommended by the authors based on the total risk or risk/reward ratio. The authors do assume some basic intelligence on the part of the reader.
   
   There are in addition examples of some very effective patinations, as evidenced in the color plates, which are achieved with relatively benign chemicals and methods; these should appeal to those who are not willing or prepared to work with more hazardous materials. Know your limits.
   
   The techniques employed are described clearly. To cap it off, recipes which give consistently good results are highlighted by an asterisk, a very thoughtful feature to help navigate through the abundance of esoteric and useful formulae.
   
   Bravo!



3. I could read for hours and hours about the different colors that are discussed is this book. I would consider this book an excellent source for information on just about any color patina you are looking for on silver, bronze, brass or copper. There are several beautiful color plates, but not nearly as many as there are colors that are given. I am also very interested in specifics and would have like to have seen some color photos of the processes in action, but, I am now just making my own. Anyway, it is a great book and I am glad to have it in my collection.



4. The only thing I can say against this book is it should have more chemical explanations about the corrosion products formed as patinas, everything else is good.



5. Get this book. Not only does it contain all the recepies you could ask for, it is actually possible to ask the more artistically oriented suppliers of chemicals for a liter of, say, nr. 314 and they'll mix it for you.

1 comments about Statics and Strength of Materials for Architecture and Building Construction.

1. Items arrived in perfect shape and also arrived ahead of schedule...Great seller.

5 comments about Fundamentals of Thermodynamics.

1. This book assumes you memorize everything they say once. In an example in chapter six, they went from V/2 to V/2 x 788 x 37.12 without saying why, without using symbols to show what the numbers represent, without even including units to help you figure out what they are doing. It turned out to be a conversion mentioned on a page in a chapter, not in any of the tables or indexes for conversion. Trying to follow their train of thought is like trying to walk up a flight of stairs with three foot high steps.



2. Over the past twenty-five years, I have used this book (or its earlier editions) as a student, teaching assistant, adjunct professor and as a practicing engineer and have found that I used this book more than the dozen or so books that I have on thermodynamics. This introductory book on thermodynamics contains many chapters devoted to the basic principles such as defining the state and the definition and determination of work. Later chapters include cycles, combustion, equilibrium and compressible flow. It is a very valuable reference for anyone involved in thermodynamics, because it contains a good overview of all the major topics and concerns.
   
   Some of the reviews provided by current students are appropriate. The authors sometime assume that the first-time reader has a much stronger background than they do and or that can remember everything in the previous chapters. As a result, the sample problems are lacking in a detailed explanation of the concepts leaving the reader confused; however, once the reader understands thermodynamics, these sample problems can be a great help.



3. This book does have one merit. The thermodynamic tables in the back are extensive and easy to read. There is a wealth of information there that makes this a worthwhile reference book.
   
   However, this book is first and foremost a textbook, and as a learning instrument it is an utter failure.
   
   The book is littered with errors. Some are trivial, such as misspelled words or incorrect references. However, many are serious errors such as incorrect formulas or errors in the answer key and can leave you dumbfounded as you try to figure out how a seemingly impossible miracle of mathematics can take place.
   
   I remember one incident where I spent almost two hours working on one problem, trying everything I could think of to get my answer to line up with the answer in the back of the book. I eventually gave up and asked my professor the next day. He worked it out and it turned out that my original answer was correct and the book was wrong! This was an all-too-frequent experience for me as I used this book, and if I had a nickel for every minute I wasted finding errors in this book I would have an easy time paying for my other textbooks.
   
   Second, the book is incredibly confusing. I had over a 3.7 GPA going into Thermo I and was in my university's honors program. I don't typically have problems with comprehending textbooks, even poorly written ones. However, this book is totally incomprehensible to a student who has never taken a course in thermodynamics. The logic meanders to and fro apparently lacking any direction. The main points of each chapter are often hidden and poorly outlined. The explanations sometimes get sidetracked by pointless trains of thought, making it rather hard to pay attention. It might as well be in Greek.
   
   Third, the book makes almost no connection between theory and practice. If you are a visual learner, you are completely out of luck. I can't remember one single picture in the book. Most textbooks utilize pictures just for the sake of having pictures or to give the author an excuse to write a new revision. This book is in dire need of a few well-chosen pictures, but all you will get are a plethora of vague and boring diagrams. An appropriate picture can help a student make the transition from theory (in this case, the text and discussion of the book) to practice (the problems). I found that I could (with great difficulty) translate the unintelligible babble of the text into an understanding of the fundamental concepts, but when I needed to use this understanding to solve a complicated problem, the connection between theory and practice wasn't there.
   
   The sad thing is that, if your professor uses this book and assigns problems from it, you'll probably have to buy it anyway. It's a total waste and I hope your professor is a good one because you won't be learning anything in these pages.



4. I would say it's more for grad students than undergrad, the way it's written makes you pull your hair out. If you really have to get this book make sure you get something else with it. also you better hope your professor is really a good teacher or else you're screwed. I always teach my self, but not with this book.



5. After using this book for one semester of thermodynamics I didn't really feel like I had a good handle on the material. There is far too much superfluous information in this book to make it thicker. Some of the sections I found to be unnecessary, especially the first chapter. The only redeeming qualities of the book are the exhaustive thermo tables and the great deal of homework problems at the back of each chapter. As a student, you might want a book which lays down the concepts before jumping so quickly to practice.

5 comments about Materials and Design: The Art and Science of Material Selection in Product Design.

1. Amazing new perspective on matials and design! A must for any inspired designer/Product Manager.



2. It's quite heavy to read... but it covers so much information that it's worth of it. You won't find fancy products shown on the inside for any kind of material, but you will understand everything about them.
   
   If you are truly interested in Materials and Design, this is your book. I suggest also to take a look of those books written by Chris Lefteri, they are easier to read for a student, and have examples of the materials with great pictures. It's up to you "what" and "how" you want to learn.



3. ... to anyone w. even the slightest interest in materials & product design.



4. It's a really complete book, where you can find all technical data of a material and some design aplications, also you can find substitute materials for each one of them.
   
   Really Helpful



5. This book is perfect for Industrial Design students looking for some better understanding of materials, how to pick them, and what forming processes can be done to them. I am really glad I bought it.

5 comments about Fabric Glossary (4th Edition).

1. I was a little disappointed that all of the pictures were blackand white. In order for this book to be useful to me, I would have topay [approx. $20.] plus shipping and handling to get the actual swatches used in this reference book.

   The text seemed to be very thorough and all fabric types are covered. For the price, I would have expected color photos of the swatches since it is difficult to judge texture from black and white. If you don't mind investing [more money] for the swatches, you'll be happy with this book.




2. Fantastic book! One that is extremely useful and one that I take everywhere with me. Perfect for new designers acquiring fabric sense. I know several firms where this book is a staple reference guide. A+++++



3. I received this book in a timely manner and it's in great condition. thanks.



4. It has places to attach sample of fabric so you can feel, touch, and learn about them. It is organized alphabetically which is nice if you know what fabric you are looking for. It should have an extra source to look up by the weave of fabric.



5. Okay. Remember those old sticker books? This is sort of like that, one swatch of fabric at a time, except you're not licking them...Sound tedious? Sort of, but the process of putting the swatches on the correct pages/descriptions is great tactile exercise. This is a good reference, and the suggested uses will help to keep you from making a really bad choice for a given project. A drawback to this book is that it gets a huge bulge in the middle, making it difficult to shelve or stack with other books and materials.

5 comments about Pipefitters Handbook.

1. THIS BOOK HAS BEEN AN UNLIMITED SOURCE OF INFORMATION BOTH IN THE FIELD AND THE CLASS ROOM. IT IS FULL OF VERY USEFUL FORMULAS, CHARTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE PLUMBER AND THE PIPEFITTER. I WOULD BE LOST IF I LOST THIS BOOK.



2. Mike (piping designer) - Very informative book, helps out alot with my job. Has absolutely everything in it you need to know for piping design. I would recommend this book to anyone in the piping field.



3. Been plumbing med gas in hospitals for a long time and this book is a must!



4. This book provides lots of information in a compact form that makes it a very valuable tool for anyone involved in crosscountry pipline construction.



5. I purchased this book for my b/f who is a pipefitter with a construction company. It is one of those books that everyone wants to know where to get one. (Those that are in the trade).

5 comments about Welding Basics.

1. I bought this book for Christmas for my boyfriend. However the book didnt arrive in time but when he got it my boyfriend read it in one day and wants to try and weld together some of the stuff it shown. This is a very good book.



2. I thought this book was worth reading. Yes, I've read the other reviews that said it was too simplified and for idiots but for someone who has never welded, or like me has not welded since high school, it covers the basics. It gives a good comparison of different technologies (Oxy, SMAW, MIG, TIG and plasma) the pros/cons of each. No, this book will not teach you how to weld like a pro but it is a good starting point if you want to learn about the various technologies or trying to decide what type of welder you want or need to get started. The Welder's Handbook (Finch) is also a good beginner's guide.



3. The book provides a basic footing in welding. I simply used the book to develop a working vocabulary before I began learning how to weld.



4. I found this book to have strong basic/beginner information as advertised. Some foggy areas are clearer to me now. The section on welding projects could have been left out and additional instructional materials provided.



5. The book is good for starters. It is a bit vague on the basics but informative. A good starter book.

No comments about Fabric Science.

4 comments about Molecular Driving Forces: Statistical Thermodynamics in CHemistry & Biology.

1. The topic of this book, the physical chemistry of molecules, especially those relevant to biology, is one of the most challenging courses to a college student in chemist. But these authors have tried to make it easy for you - and they succeed. They used figures, pictures and analogies to help you to understand some of the most sophisticated concepts in science. For example entropy. The authors are leading researchers in the field and they brought a unique perspective to the subject; the writing is very lucid.



2. I have this book assigned as a text book for one of my classes and it is superb. Very clear explaination from the very basics of statistics and how it builds up to thermodynamics and beyond. The book succintly explains all of the necessary math and has instructive examples to drive the point home. I really like this book!



3. I always consult this book when I need to brush up my stat. Mech. Highly recommended.



4. This book covers a broad field of topics not present in similar books more than usual ones. A great value for a teacher or for advanced undergraduate students!