2 comments about Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems.

1. This book is a useful textbook for advanced courses on differential equations and dynamical systems for senior undergraduate students or first year graduate students.

   The book presents a systematic study of the qualitative and geometric theory of nonlinear differential equations and dynamical systems.

   The book has a sketch of the proof of the Hartman-Grobman Theorem which was useful for my second undergraduate course on dynamical systems and nonlinear differential equations.

   I liked the book and I am quite sure it will become a classic textbook on this very useful branch of Math that has so many old and new applications in Physics, Economics and Finance.




2. Perko's book is one of the best books that gives an advanced introduction to dynamical systems from the point of differential equations. Many other good books tread the same ground, without emphasizing the connection to ODEs. Perko's text is particularly strong in several respects. First, the dynamical systems it considers are almost always expressed in terms of underlying differential equations. Second, it gives proofs or outlines of proofs of most major theorems used in this field. Third, it covers the most important topics, including: local theory of hyperbolic equilibria, invariant manifolds, Hamiltonian systems, flows on R^2, stability theory, and elementary bifurcations. Also reviewed are the results from linear systems theory, in a particularly well-written and easy to follow introductory chapter. Another great feature of this book is its solid coverage of center manifold theory, which is an important and somewhat difficult topic.

   There are a couple of problems with this book. The proofs to some of the major theorems are occasionally abstruse or poorly derived. Perko seems to bend over backwards to give analytical proofs, when algebraic or topological proofs might be easier. Many of the problems reuse the same elementary example equations. This is OK insofar as it allows the reader to see how different techniques can be used to analyze the same systems, but it limits the reader's exposure to the full variety of interesting dynamical systems that can arise in practice. The author also tends to emphasize polynomial vector fields, which is a potential limitation. Occasionally the problems are significantly more difficult than the examples worked in the text.

   Overall, Perko's text is a very solid introduction to advanced ODEs and continuous dynamics. It is especially well-suited for scientists and engineers who want a readable introduction to the qualitative theory of ODEs.

5 comments about Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow (Hemisphere Series on Computational Methods in Mechanics and Thermal Science).

1. This is one of the ground breaking texts. I purchased a copy on the recommendation of a collegue (who has worked in the field for a while) when I started in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

   I found the book a little bit difficult to get into. Having spent more time working through CFD problems, it all now makes sense - although I would recommend beginners to find something else more recent (such as An introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics: The finite volume method by Versteeg & Malalasekera) that has some of the more recent developments in the field.

   It is still an invaluable reference to have on your bookshelf as it covers the fundamentals of CFD.




2. This is extraordinarily well-written for anyone who knows a little bit about heat transfer, mass transfer, or fluid flow and wants to write a mathematical model to perform calculations in 1D, 2D or 3D. (Also works for electromagnetic equations of the same form--used it for my doctoral thesis.) It's very practically oriented, with clear explanations and good diagrams showing how the grid layout translates into code.



3. This is the best CFD book I ever read !! And it should be your first CFD book too. It's easy, short, concise and correct.
   
   It doesn't have extensive coverage or any advanced topic like most of recent CFD book get. But the way it shines is that the author (one of the founders of recent CFD field) spent that much time discussing how to discritizing and evaluating the simplest form of commonly used pde eqations and boundary conditions. No advanced math involved, it's all simple algebra.
   
   Everytime when I start a new problem and write down the discritized eqation, I double checked it using what I learned from the book before I input it into the computer. It just worked.
   
   There's no magic in CFD, but this book is like a magic to me.



4. This book is a wonderful way to understand the fundamental concepts behind techniques such as the SIMPLE algorithm. Patankar begins in one dimension, expands his approach, and presents the results very clearly. His physical insights are very well presented, and his narrative style is easy to read. One may much more profitably read the recent literature in this area after having examined Patankar's text.



5. The book is useful for those who begin studying CFD methods in heat transfer and fluid flows. It has been a standard for several years.

5 comments about Technical Drawing (12th Edition).

1. .: edit, June 30 2007 :.
   
   New rating: 3 stars
   
   I wrote the original review in 2005, after several hours of trying to decipher this book and find misplaced information within it so as to complete a class assignment. Discovering that one of its specific textual errors made my specific task impossible, I wrote the following.
   
   If Amazon let me increase my rating, at this point I would, but I maintain that it is unpolished and desperately under-edited.
   
   .: end edit :.
   
   As a freshman engineering major, I have been compelled to use Technical Drawing for a graphics course. This has been a profoundly frustrating experience. It seems that the authors, in their zeal to attain unto the dry, lifeless style characteristic of most professional engineering publications, also unintentionally created a text which is superlatively unclear.
   
   I am recurrently astonished at the utter incomprehensibility of entire paragraphs. I will read a section, cynically assert that it communicates nothing, read it over a dozen more times, show it to others who in turn read it a dozen times, only to have my first conclusion affirmed.
   
   There are extremely blatant contradictions.
   
   Terms are used at the beginning of a chapter and not defined until the end.
   
   It speaks voluminously about how critical it is to follow the prescribed techniques, only to devote less-than-the-bare-minimum amount of space to the actual descriptions of those techniques.
   
   The review questions are frequently unrelated to the content they are supposed to be reinforcing, or are simply placed in the wrong chapter.
   
   This (expensive!) book is a conspicuous example of "writing by committee." Technical Drawing may well be a decent-enough reference book - useful if you need a reminder about material you already know - but expect to get angry at it, especially if you're learning the information for the first time.



2. I can only speculate that this book is, as was one of the previous editions I've read, used and loved, is bound to provide an exceptional foundational education in the skill of technical (engineering design) drawing/drafting for those with the natural aptitude for freehand drawing. Readers will indeed learn about and develop precision drawing skills--whether drawing with instruments or computer.
   
   The true value of this book is in its ability to guide and therefore transform the natural artist's raw talent into that of a professional grade design artist--capable of rendering technical depictions, representations, or designs, at any time, with little effort, and without error. As with learning to walk, this of course takes time, patience, and practice.
   
   I have personally witnessed the struggles of many whom, having necessity to complete a course of study based upon this book, were ill-suited by their own admission for the discipline required of the eye, hand, and attention (or mind) as demanded by the capable sketch artist--to say nothing of the trained detail design drafter.
   
   If realizing the instructional value of Technical Drawing, 12th edition, seems to come at great pain and effort, the obvious question clearly becomes one of aptitude for drawing. However, while the aptitude for drawing is extremely beneficial, proficiency in technical drawing can still be achieved by sheer tenacity.
   
   Technical Drawing, 12th edition, as with previous editions, is therefore highly recommended for the tenacious engineer, designer and drafter. It has stood the test of time as a solid component of engineering design instruction in this nation's premiere academic institutions.



3. The thing this book does best is demonstrate the inferiority of 2D drafting when compared with 3D modeling. In several parts, the 2D documentation of the parts glosses over some of the more complex implications, and simply leaves it to someone else downstream to figure out. If you try to build some of the example parts in 3D, you see that the dimensions in probably 40% of the parts I worked through simply don't add up.
   
   Shouldn't the book at least describe the concept of draft on example parts that are for the most part cast and forged parts? Some of the example parts become extremely difficult if you consider draft.
   
   Also there is the combination of some very dated material with some semi-modern entries, especially when covering computer hardware. This kind of thing is almost impossible to cover in a published hardcopy because the computer hardware has gone through two generations between writing and distribution of the book.
   
   On the plus side, it does have some nice examples, but this is far from complete if it is being used to prepare college students for jobs in the 2000's.



4. This book is an excellent reference for anyone needing an introduction to or a reference for technical drawing. Most of the content concerning machine component drawings are geared (no pun intended) more toward traditional methods for technical drawings (i.e. compass, ruler and pencil), but the methods given are well suited to modern computer-oriented methods of solid modeling. Engineers in the manufacturing industry will find it especially useful, as it can be a helpful reference for weldment drawings.



5. This book is a good book to learn basic drafting pratices. It is also a good referance book to keep in your bookcase beside your desk.

5 comments about Engineering Mechanics , Dynamics (Engineering Mechanics).

1. The authors treat this topic with the same dense, obtuse, poorly worded approach they used to write the Statics text. If you ever want to use your textbook except to do assigned problems out of it (that is, you want to learn from it by reading it) don't expect it to help you much, if at all.



2. You'd better hope you've got a good professor for dynamics, because this book is absolutely no help. It gives proofs for most equations, but doesn't seem to think any amount of example problems are necessary. I have the bootleg copy of the solutions manual for this book and the author solves most of the problems with bizarre calculus that isn't discussed in the chapter at all.
   
   To top it off, the set (Statics and Dynamics) was $180 at my college bookstore. Pool your money with your classmates, buy one copy of each, and xerox the problems. You will not miss anything.



3. Other reviewers have left their disgust of the book to a basic, if I may summarize, "it doesn't explain anything" carping. Now, of course, it should be understood that textbooks are a supplement to lecturing in a classroom setting, so, it should be without mentioning that learning material like dynamics would be rather difficult without an ample professor leading the way.
   
   With that said, I believe this text is amazing. It is simply one of the better texts I've gone through so far and not simply due to my advantage. My advantage being that my professor was L.G. Kraige, the co-author and future author of the 6th edition (the distinguished Dr. Merian passed away in 2000). Dr. Kraige never went far beyond the text or elaborated any further than what was provided. And rightfully so - if you are not able to pick up some of this material from what you read, it is best that you take a few steps back (maybe back to statics, maybe to physics, maybe to grade school) and start again. Dynamics is a difficult subject to move through without some form of official lecture and having someone offer their own tips and hints is a necessity for your individual success.
   
   The book is thorough and the appendices cover shades of older material that you may not remember fully - I know I had to review mass moments of inertia on several occasions and Appendix B was just enough to get me back on target. The problems for each article are very well formulated and clearly presented. As with many advanced texts, not all of the topics or questions are covered explicitly during the articles, but at this point in the physics/engineering game, it is a must for a student to begin to intuitively solve problems based on the basics that are presented.
   
   Again, this book is wonderful, but needs to be complemented with an ample professor. I was very lucky to have Dr. Kraige as my professor and appreciate the text all the more.



4. While the text portions on the theory are mostly acceptable, there are two things that make this book very unhelpful. First, the example problems are not solved in terms of variables - numerical values are used from the beginning, which makes the example both hard to follow and less easily generalized to help the reader understand other problems. Second, the book provides solutions to the odd-numbered problems, but it was not uncommon for these solutions to be wrong (even the units were wrong!). This created a lot of frustration. A third minor complaint is that the book is not organized well - the chapters are far too broad (several are longer than 100 pages) and yet closely related material still sometimes appears in different chapters.



5. The text doesn't help at all. Half the time, proofs are done in the teacher's manual, but not in the text. The problems are not well correlated to the sections, buy another book if you're assigned this one, its horrible.

3 comments about AutoCAD 2008: A Problem Solving Approach.

1. I got this book in a very timely manner. It was in excellent condition and the price was unbeatable.



2. The best autocad Book you can purchase, command by command instructions with examples and exercise.



3. This book contains a detailed explanation of AutoCAD 2008 commands and how to use them in solving drafting and design problems. Every AutoCAD command is thoroughly explained with examples and illustrations that make it easy to understand their function and application. At the end of each topic, there are examples that illustrate the function of the command and how it can be used in the drawing. When you are done reading this book, you will be able to use AutoCAD commands to make a drawing, create annotative objects, make and insert symbols, dimension a drawing, create 3D objects and solid models, render and animate the designs, and write script files.
   Some of the features of this text book are:
   · Step-by-step instructions for creating annotative objects, making and inserting symbols, and dimensioning drawings promote efficient use of the software while strengthening your problem-solving skills.
   · Customizing and advanced techniques (such as creating templates, script files, slide shows, and animation) use to enhance productivity are thoroughly explained with examples and illustrations.
   · Dual emphasis on conceptual learning and hands-on practice fosters a thorough understanding of the power of AutoCAD 2008 for engineers, architects, drafters, and designers.

5 comments about Introduction to Robotics: Mechanics and Control (3rd Edition).

1. Many of the example problems take short cuts while trying to explain the material through practical problems. When reading the book one is forced to constantly, turn the pages backward for previous references in order to understand the short cuts. The book is in need of some serious editing. Nevertheless, not all engineering books get better with editing. Spotts, machine design, for example in the 6th edition is a Great Book! In the 8th edition, it is useless. This book has the potential to be a good textbook. However, in this form it is just about 3 pounds of paper and cardboard with a fancy cover. Not the worst textbook ever, but it made the list.



2. I had this book for an Intro to Robotics class I took. And I must say, this is by far the worst textbook I've ever read. It is dense, confusing, and hard to read. There are typos everywhere. When it is laying out problems and equations, it likes to skip a few steps and assume you can follow along. To sum it up, this book is useless.
   
   Seriously, if you are going to take a course and this book is required, don't take the course. If the prof was any good they wouldn't pick this book.



3. I teach a introductory course in robotics that is targeted for the senior/graduate level student in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering /Computer Science. The goal is to understand the kinematics, dynamics and ultimately the control of robotic manipulators. Unequivocally, this is one of the best books in introductory robotics! This book is not for the robotic tinkerer or the amateur, but for the engineer who is desirous of obtaining a sound understanding of the principles involved.
   
   In the past four years that I have taught this subject, the student feedback has been consistent: The mechanical engineers think the controls part is too tough and the electrical engineers feel that the mechanics portion is too dense! This is the beauty of Mechatronics! One can only appreciate the material if he/she has a good understanding of both the mechanical aspects as well as the electrical aspects of the robot.
   In the class that I teach, the students work on a group based term project where they implement the concepts on an actual manipulator. The students very quickly realise that "hobby"-ist approach to robotics will not work and the concepts of kinematics and dynamics are vital to the proper control of robots.
   
   All in all, this book is an absolute "must read" for anyone serious about robotics, especially those desirous of pursuing graduate study in robotics or related areas.



4. The first 3 chapters begin very well giving the reader decent examples with how to derive frame assignments and forward kinematic matrices. Starting with chapter 4, the book begins to descend into a nightmare of ambiguity and frustration. Typos begin cropping up every where. The author then begins to take short cuts with deriving particular formulas with no clear explanation how those formulas are derived. One example is when the author begins to explain how to solve for an inverse kinematics problem and says to use the law of cosines, but then writes a formula that is not the law of cosines with no clarification how he came to that point. Homework problems are also given, but do not reflect the few examples given within the chapter leaving the reader in a very difficult position and in most cases unable to solve the problem. I would highly recommend getting a book other than this one. If it is required for a class, make sure the teacher has sufficient supplemental material that will augment the many failings this text has.



5. This was my favorite because it was easy to follow and understand basic robotics. Though some of the material is outdated, it still gives you a lot of insight into basic manipulator mathematics. But set your expectations right-you should not expect this book to teach you basic mathematics of rotational matrices.

5 comments about Vibration Spectrum Analysis.

1. I borrow this book from Uni, of Washington and found out that this book is lack of both practical and theoritical inf. The writing of the book is so poor and minimum examples of real data that I stopped short of completing the book. Worst for your money.



2. This is an excellent book for people faced with practical vibration problems. The book is a well-written to this topic. Focus is on rotating machinery, and data acquistion, filtering, etc. This is the best 1st book on vibration diagnosing I've found yet. A definite recommend to buy



3. Very good as entry-level textbook! Not for the die hard spectrum annalist though... It should be considered essential for crash courses in vibrations and spectrum analysis.



4. Great reading. Has a good way of teaching the dumbies in us. I will benefit from this book in my work



5. As a beginner, this is a good book for me. It tells me where to look for further reading. The sentences are simple and straightforward. The concepts are explained in clearly. Although it is far from a bible, I would like to recommend it if you are new in this field. The only thing that I do not like is the graphics. Unless I got to the appendix, I felt it was difficult to understand some graphics.

5 comments about Quality Function Deployment: How to Make QFD Work for You (Engineering Process Improvement Series).

1. I, an engineer turned marketer, love to learn by example. Stop telling me about how it works...show me.

   THE COMPLETE LACK OF SAMPLES was very disappointing. I feel my understanding would have been much deeper if the author had walked through hypothetical/real examples.

   The book does a reasonably good job describing the various steps of performing the QFD process. Samples would have made it much richer.




2. I found the Cohen book to be the reference to Quality Function Deployment that I have been looking for. Unlike many of the Japanese books on the subject that have been translated to english, Cohen's book provides a comprehensive look at the subject of QFD, from the history of QFD through the final chapters that guide one through the mechanics of conducting a QFD study. I particularly like the no-nonsense writing style and the step-by-step approach taken to explain the method without going into tediously technical details about all the potential mathematics involved. This is the first book that I have found on the subject of QFD that I could actually USE to complete a QFD study. I also found that the method described is not dependent on any specific QFD software, but works with any of the 3 QFD software packages that I use. If you have to have just one reference for Quality Function Deployment, this is the book I would choose.



3. This was an excellent introduction to QFD, which I'd previously heard many good things about. I now feel that I understand how it works, how to marry it with the software development process in general, and even managed to pick up some hints on how I might integrate some more advanced customer representation ideas (like use of personas instead of instances of customers, for when your customer base is too large).

   However, it was stated many times that:
   1) You should have someone who has lead a QFD before facilitating it
   2) It's highly customizable, by cutting things out

   It would've been nice understand how to go about a first QFD with no experienced facilitators, along with some warning signs about whether you're going right or wrong. Also, examples of the customizations folks have made for smaller or larger teams and less or more rigorous organizations would've made it more concrete how to roll it out on a team such as my own.




4. If I had to select a single book about QFD this is the one. It so thoroughly covers this effective technique, down to nuances, that I would have to refer to at least five other books on QFD I own to get the same coverage.

   For a complete beginner chapters 1 and 2 cover the what and why of QFD. However, this material is somewhat brief and the following chapters may be overwhelming if you are learning about this technique for the first time. As an aside, if you are using Visio, there is a template for QFD that ships with that product.

   The remaining 17 chapters lead you through fundamental aspects of QFD (Chapters 3 through 11), starting with an overview of the seven TQM tools, and leading you through the basic planning matrix, technical response, relationships, correlations, benchmarks and targets. Part III, Chapters 12 and 13, tie QFD to product development and its associated lifecycle, and how it relates to marketing, engineering, sales and service.

   Chapters 14 through 17 provide a detailed, step-by-step approach to using QFD, starting with planning and data/information gathering, and culminating in developing and analyzing results.

   The final section of the book covers advanced topics, including four-phase models, complex matrices of matrices, and special applications that include strategic product planning, and organizational planning, among other topics. I found the chapter on how to apply QFD to software development particularly interesting since that is what I do for a living.

   I have a number of QFD books and actively employ this technique, and this is the definitive book on the topic I recommend.




5. Quality Function Deployment is an excellent tool for mapping market requirements into product features. Cohen's book does a superb job of presenting the basics and taking you deeper into advanced topics. Numerous practical examples are included to give you a clear picture of how to use this powerful tool in your new product development.

1 comments about Building & Maintaining Docks: How to Design, Build, Install & Care for Residential Docks.

1. As a Landscape Architect I found the book helpful and very simple to use and browse through. It is a good resource. It would be helpful to have some construction sections or details illustrating construction techniques. Also having a resource guide in the back for manufacturers and supplies would be useful.

3 comments about Water Resources Engineering.

1. Larry W. Mays has written an outstanding text that provide students with a complete picture of water resources engineering by integrating the fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics, hydraulics, hydrology, and contaminant transport processes. The material in the text is presented from first principles, is rigorous, is relevant to the practice of water resources engineering, and is reinforced by detailed presetations of design applications. A text worth having next to vintage books on this subject in W-R engineers' library.



2. This book is loaded with good information, but we found errors in key hydraulic formulas, which quickly led me not to trust anything out of the book. The sad part is, this was a required text for an engineering class. Maybe the new edition has remedied the problems, but I wouldn't recommend the edition I bought.



3. One of the best water resources books. It covers all major and minor topics in water resources and is a great reference for the PE Exam.