5 comments about Thermal Physics (2nd Edition).

1. Huge content. Good book with extra information but dont deal with it if you are not taking the assigned course.



2. This is quite possibly the worst physics book I have had to use during my entire undergraduate career (and it doesn't help that my professor is pretty bad also). I am on chapter 14 and I can safely say that I know nothing about statistical/thermal physics. Like many other reviewers have said, this book is simply an exercise in reading equations. Very few times does Kittel actually explain why or what he is doing. He doesn't group important information together and, even when there is an important equation, he doesn't highlight it in anyway (yet he'll make sure to outline a completely useless formula for some small principle). He goes through the math, but doesn't explain how he goes from one step to the next half the time. The problems, in addition to the bad text, did not help me understand what I read at all. It is simply a long chore of manipulating equations to get the one Kittel wants. If your school uses this book, I would suggest shopping around for some supplemental reading.



3. In taking a second undergraduate course in thermodynamics, I had to suffer through this book on top of a terrible professor. The explanations are decent in and of themselves, but the book's cohesiveness (i.e. how it interlinks seemingly separate topics, as all physics texts should) is awful. For example, Ch. 8 on heat engines does not even attempt to make a connection with the simple systems exchanging heat or particles that were talked about previously. It just dives right in and leaves the reader guessing. Maybe this is obvious to Kittel and Kroemer, but the answer is certainly not obvious to me. Also, there are way too many applications that only serve to confuse the reader even more. The problems only serve as practice in mathematics.
   
   A good physics text should be clear and mathematically rigourous but at the same time it should give much intuition. This book did nothing but confuse me.



4. This is the worst book I have ever purchased (and the Solid State Physics as well -also by Kittel). The books have no solved examples. I am using these books in my Solid State Physics class, and have to do very hard homework and exam problems, yet I have no examples in the books. This has been a nightmare. I do not recomend these books to anybody. I believe, even if you ask Kittel, he would not know how he derived half of his formulas.



5. The book itself is a classic and generations of good physicists have studied from this book, so I'm not going to review the book itself. What I did not like one bit was the poor paper quality. The pages are so thin that print from the next page is clearly visible. The last three pages (one blank and two printed with constants, non critical) had been glued together. I'm not going to return the book because if I do, it'll waste paper as they'll throw my current copy away, but if I'm paying $122 for a book, I'd expect atleast decent publishing if not stellar publishing.

2 comments about Textiles in America 1650-1870.

1. TEXTILES IN AMERICA 1650-1870 was first published in 1984 to become a celebrated, definitive study on the topic of textiles in early American homes. Its reprint here makes it an ongoing top pick and mention for any college-level art library holding: it draws on source material scrapbooks of cloth swatches offering period terms, dimensions, prices, and engravings of their times to reproduce both photos and information, adding historical background on decorative practices and textile use in both England and America. College-level collections strong in textile history and art can't miss this.



2. This is a reprint of a classic Textiles reference book. I'm happy to get a copy at the current price instead of inflated re-sale prices.

5 comments about Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Analysis and Design.

1. This book is a good source for determining all the design needs for HVAC systems from calculating the heating /cooling load to duct design and fan selection which is essential to assure an economical, energy-efficient, maintainable and flex design that will only not be technically adequate but also meet the user within the allocated budget. I consider this book a key to get in the HVAC industry and a reference for HVAC study courses.



2. This is an excellent HVAC text. The concepts are clearly explained and well developed. The references in the book are current with ASHRAE standards which is of utmost utility and importance. The minor drawback from the text is the simplicity of the examples; fortunately the excellent explanation and development of the concepts by the authors helps in overcoming this small flaw. Excellent book overall. I highly recommend it.



3. This book is equal in quality of content to edition 5 except that the version of edition 6 being sold here does not contain the CD normally included with this textbook. The publisher's web site states "New to this edition (edition 6) is the inclusion of additional realistic, interactive and in-depth examples on CD". This CD would also contain the software that was included with edition 5. According to the publisher's tech support however, the version of edition 6 being sold by Amazon.com is for use under the guidance of an instructor where apparently the material on the CD would not be needed. If this book is for personal use I recommend a version that includes the CD.



4. I am holding beside me a 6th edition with the CD in the back of the book. The 6th edition DOES include a CD, unlike what the previous review wrote. I had to write this so others are not mislead. Maybe some books people are selling don't include it -- what to do? Just ask the seller if their book has a CD with it. Mine does, and others do too.



5. By far the worst text book I've ever had to use. Riddled with errors. Poor and incomplete explanations of complex subject matter. Examples and problems often with errors. Does lead the student into intense studying of content, if only to understand exactly what authors are saying and whether it is correct or not. Included software worthless except for limited use in solving problems in text.
   
   This book should be offered free to India, Japan, and China to give us an edge over their HVAC engineerng expertise.

No comments about How To Weld (Motorbooks Workshop).

4 comments about Audel Pipefitter's and Welder's Pocket Manual.

1. Although the information in this book is factual, I find that the contents do not match the name of the book. Most of the information should already be known to the tradesman. When looking at a pocket manuel, I am looking for quick referances, pre-figured math tables, and or drawings. A better title for this book would be, Pipefitter's and welder's pocket manuel for beginer's.



2. I've been waiting for a revision of this Audel book for almost 10 years, and it's finally here! I always have a devil of a time finding any useful books about my trade-pipe fitting. The only thing I ever found was the old edition of this book, I guess that reviewer who wrote that review dated 2000 was talking about the old edition because the new one just came out-in late 2003. And what an improvement. I'm giving one to each guy on my crew!



3. I always have this book near me at work. It's an excellent reference, particularly if you're in your first few years in the trade.

   The book has seventeen chapters, plus an appendix. Here's the table of contents from my copy of the book:

   1. Math and Metrics.
   2. Calculating Offsets.
   3. Pipe Welding with Oxyacetylene and Arc.
   4. Automatic Fire Protection Systems.
   5. Steam Heating Systems.
   6. Hot-Water Heating Systems.
   7. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
   8. Process Piping Using Plastics.
   9. Grooved-End and Plain-End Piping Systems.
   10. Learning to Use an Instrument Level.
   11. Pneumatic Control Systems.
   12. Gas Piping.
   13. Tungsten Inert Gas Welding.
   14. Trouble-Shooting Tips for Arc Welding.
   15. Pipe Welders' Definitions.
   16. Definitions of Heating and Air Conditioning Terms.
   17. Glossary of Terms Relating to Plastic Piping.




4. Great book that I take every were I Go. One that no welder should be with out.

2 comments about Wills' Mineral Processing Technology, Seventh Edition: An Introduction to the Practical Aspects of Ore Treatment and Mineral Recovery.

1. Its a readable book for being technical, its information is mediocre though. Work out examples and pictures very useful in understanding information.



2. This comprehensive book focuses on beneficiation methods. These include crushing, grinding, comminution, froth flotation, dense medium separation, etc. Parts of this book are quantitative, and suggested Excel spreadsheet formats are provided.
   
   There is a relatively sophisticated introduction to the economics of metal recovery. For instance, when tin occurs within easily-accessible alluvial deposits, as little as 0.01% tin (that's a mere 100 ppm) is commercially exploitable. In contrast, when tin occurs in veins that require deep mining to reach it, a minimum level of 1.5% may be necessary to make it worth getting (p. 4).
   
   Considering their increasing importance in recent years, there is little attention devoted to the rare earth minerals. However, the table provided on the polarity of minerals (p. 270) includes some commonly REE-bearing ones (e. g. apatite, monazite). Likewise, the table provided on the electrical behavior of minerals (p. 367) includes the same two minerals.
   
   Virtually all mining operations involve the production of mine waste. Apropos to this, there is a helpful chapter on methods of dealing with mine tailings.

4 comments about Arnold Grummer's Complete Guide to Easy Papermaking.

1. The day I recieved this book I could not put it down, I had to read the entire book! From the start, it is an encouraging and creative book to be used in every aspect of the papermaking process. Unfortunately the only parts I felt were weak would be for paper artists who want a totally acid free paper. His comments on that though, do need to be believed because He is the curator of the Dard Hunter paper museum and a paper chemist. He feels that the best way to make that type of paper is to start with recycled paper that is already acid free. Those artists who create from plants alone may not find enough information to please them,yet many of His techniques can still be applied with their experience to create very artistic paper. Even beginners can tackle the most professional results with this book in hand. I feel even children could achieve surprising results with the processes he shows, step by step, using mostly home supplies. He shows you how to make your own mold and deckle too! The "moon paper" recipe he shows you how to create is worth the price of the book alone! Out of my entire library of paper books, this does stand on its own for the most part and for that reason, I recommend it for all beginner and intermediate artists and every papermaking teacher.Your creative juices will flow with this book!



2. I love this book. Arnold Grummer is fantastic. This book explains everything you need to know about paper, and making paper, in a very simple way. I especially love the beginning of the book where he gets into the technical aspects of what IS paper and why we can make our own. There are also many full-color samples of handmade paper that I found very inspiring. This book will keep you busy trying all the embellishment and inclusion techniques, too, including botanicals, pin drawing, and coloring. I'll be using this book for a long time, and I recommenend it to everyone.



3. There's an old adage that says, "Never judge a book by its cover."

   That was certainly true for me when I first looked at Arnold Grummer's Complete Guide To Paper Casting. My initial reaction to the cover (& many of the 'projects' was--How 70s can you get?

   Fortunately, I followed the adage's advice and read a few chapters. Result? I found a valuable addition to my how-to library.

   The authors (Arnold & Mabel Grummer) have created a work which is rich with detail. They offer techniques, tips, history, ideas & more in such an easy to read manner that whatever your interest &/or skill level, you will find yourself casting pulp before you know it.

   Saavy enough to recognize that many crafty types want to get started without reading 'War & Peace', the authors provide readers with a quick start-up in Chapter 2. I made my first paper cast within thirty minutes of reading the instructions--(took me twelve minutes to find the blender!)

   From that point on, I found myself enjoying (& learning) so much. I picked up a vocabulary without needing to consult a dictionary; began exploring additives & molds & generally having FUN with paper casting in ways I had not considered.

   With the current trend in paper crafts/arts, I heartily recommend this book to scrapbookers, altered-bookers & collagists. I also recommend it to anyone who has ever asked 'What If?'




4. Since the local craft store carries the Arnold Grummer supplies for papermaking, I decided to buy his book - Arnold Grummer's Complete Guide to Easy Papermaking. (Mr. Grummer also has a website.) The instructions in the book are very clearly illustrated by photographs. Many variations in colors and textures are shown. You'll need a frame set and cotton linter both available at the craft store, a blender and paper scraps. Easy to recycle old envelopes or paper (discard the black print which will turn the paper grey). Variations: Colored paper tints the pulp. Add dried flowers and leaves. Emboss wet pulp with brass stencil. Hot tip: When pressing out the excess water from the wet pulp, use a rolling pin!

5 comments about The Encyclopedia of Wood.

1. For anyone interested in wood, in its ability to withstand stress, its bark, shrinkage, moisture content, fastening it to things, or even its preservation this is a wonderful book. A work of the U.S Department of Agriculture, Forest Service's Forest Product laboratory it is not strictly an encyclopedia but a collection of essays, pictures and descriptions of various aspects of wood.
   
   The first sections detail types of wood, structure of wood and physical properties of wood. Later sections examine more obscure mathematical concepts regarding wood such as stress grades and structural analysis equations. Important chapters detail types of fastenings, drying and control of moisture as well as protection and preservation. An important chapter examines the use of wood in buildings and bridges. This is not a book that is a `how to' regarding wood. It is also not a book about all the types of wood in the world or how to identify all of them necessarily. It is rather a collection of sometimes seemingly unsystematically collected material on wood and many aspects of it.
   
   An interesting book.
   
   Seth J. Frantzman



2. I got this book for my dad, because he is constantly building and working with various types of wood. He loves it, and constantly will use it on every single project he tackles. This was a great buy!



3. The USDA Encyclopedia of Wood has a tremendous amount of information on wood, and is a very good buy for the price.



4. Warning: this is not an encyclopedia of boners. The title is misleading. I was sorely disappointed.



5. The Encyclopedia of wood is a good reference text for forestry students or those wishing to learn about the scientific aspects of many wood species. For those wanting reference material for wood working it is too technical. There are many other books available better suited for crafts people.

5 comments about Metalcasting.

1. This is a big thick paperback book, that you might think goes into great detail and has a lot of descriptions. Unfortunatly, there is just some background and and brief descriptions of different things. Also, almost half the book is devoted to a glossary. If you want to find out about sand casting, "The complete Sand Casting Manual" also written by him though still not complete, is the book for you.



2. This text is great for the sand molder. There is a depth of knowledge that few others can illustrate in a clear manner. Also notable is the glossary of casting terms that takes up the last half of the book with drawings and clear language. I would recommend that every beginning metal caster buy this item, and every experienced caster peek at it when nobody is looking. Thumbs Up!
   His book Cast Iron is the bible for ferrous metals.



3. This book is great for newbies to Metal casting, it provides great details in creating molds, furnaces, and the do's and don'ts.
   
   It gives several different types of molds from sand molds to plaster molds, and gives the advantages and disavantages of both. It explains the various types of furnaces from coke, propane, to waste oil. Finally it gives in perfect detail the causes for various abnormalties in your caste. . .
   
   Great book to get started with. .



4. I have been casting for a few years at this point but C.W. Ammen is the best authority on the subject.
   I re-learned a few things as I read this book. Anyone who does metal casting SHOULD own this book.
   Remember always be safe.



5. Lots of facts in this book, but it lacks a chapter on an easy start for the beginner. The book is written for the experienced amateur who wants to learn more. Metalcasting

4 comments about Schaum's Outline of Statics and Strength of Materials (Schaum's).

1. Plese send for me about the screw test in all universities. Tank's all over.



2. This book is full of mistakes. I spend more time checking the author's work that I do practicing. Don't waste your money or time with this.



3. I have found it helpful in confirming information I was not sure about.



4. This book is a great self teacher of statics and beam mechanics. It has the best treatment of the "singularity function" method for beam loading that I have read.