5 comments about Engineering Formulas.

1. A book that will never get dusty, always something to look up. Wonderful addition to my library and desk.



2. This a must have for all engineers, it contains the simplest to more complex formulae required for day to day engineering calculations & design.



3. This book is a newer version to the one my father lent me while on my first internship. I recommend this book to any engineer, since you can find all the formulas you might ever need all in a nice pocket size book.



4. This book is a great tool for engineering students and expeienced engineers alike!



5. The fun thing about this book is that it has everthing you learned (or should have learned) getting your Engineering degree. It's all there! It usually takes some time to sort thru what all the vaiables mean, and often you have to flip between look up tables, but it is so charming to find EVERYTHING in one spot in a book so small you can carry it in your front pocket.

5 comments about Practice Problems for the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam: A Companion to the Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual, 12th Edition.

1. I recommend this book if you are studying for the PE exam. The problems are numerous and relevant. The solutions are easy to follow.
   
   You do NOT need to have Lindeburg's study guide to use the Practice Problems. He does refer to the appendices in his study guide (steam tables, etc) by page number, BUT if you have the reference elsewhere (which you should), you can do all the problems in the book.



2. The practice problems are all written in SI and English units yet there will only be in English units on the Mechanical PE exam. All problems have both units, however if you are interested in becoming proficient with conversions this may actually distract you. This could be confusing to someone studying and trying to improve the ability to work in different systems.
   
   Be particularly aware of the sample exam. The following quote is an excerpt from a forum on the exam which I just read. I am dissapointed to read that the Sample exam is not reflective of the actual PE exam. I too just bought this for the purpose of taking a timed practice exam but now will send it back and find a more appropriate practice exam.
   
   "I was going to take the PPI ME sample exam under timed conditions but thank goodness I flipped through it first. As soon as I saw the SI units I knew it wouldn't be representative of the NCEES exam, at least in that regard. I saw it as being pointless working problems in the SI system since they won't be on the real exam and all my studying has been in the English system."



3. Book was fine condition but didn't get to do any of the practice problems before my exam, which I passed thanks to the reference book.



4. I recommend this manual only as a means for working additional problems once you've exhausted your textbook sample problems. I just took the ME PE exam yesterday and the problems on the actual exam should take no longer than 5 minutes to work, IF you know what tools (equations, etc) to use. The sample problems in this book took me, on average, about 35 minutes each to work. 90% of them are far more difficult than anything you'll see on the actual exam.
   
   I think time would be much better spent simply working the "easy" problems out of your old textbooks.



5. I worked through several of these problems before the exam. Most of the problems are harder than the problems on the exam, but that is a good thing.
   
   This, and the on-line practice test from NCEES are all I used to study and I feel I was well prepared. The PPI problems help you get the knowledge of the material; while the NCEES problems give you a feel for timing, and what the exam problems are like.
   
   The only thing that would make this more helpful for studying would be if it had difficulty or time ratings for each question. There were some areas of study I did not want to spend a lot of time on.
   
   Don't take lots of books to the exam. All I used was the MERM (Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual) that accompanies this. It had what I needed to solve every problem except one.

5 comments about Electric Motors and Control Techniques.

1. The information in this book is best suited to a physicist with a background in motors. If you don't already have a solid understanding about motors, servos and motor control already, then don't buy this book! The author covers far too much information at a very high level, makes too many assumptions about the reader's knowledge, and does not explain anything in easy-to-understand terms.



2. Overall I found this to be an excellent book. I enjoyed every page, and in particular tracing out circuit operations of the various schematics. I thought the diversity of circuits was great.

   Nowhere in the title did I see "Basics of" or Fundementals of". This is not a book for the novice. The reader must have a good understanding of AC and DC motors, and solid state theory, circiuts, and devices.

   I found the concatenation of induction motors, and the Kramer speed control system very interesting. I have many old industrial control books, but none shows these systems.

   There are several errors, and examples of such are: Page 44, Para 3 is completely wrong. The proper way to reverse direction of compound motors is to reverse A1 and A2. Page 57, para 2 relates to this proper method. Fig. 5-9 Q102 shows a JFET- should be a UJT. Fig. 5-13 Q1 same thing. Fig. 5-10 has negative 250 VDC lines to emitters of Q532-Q536 and Q552-Q556 missing. Eliminate lead from motor to bottom of C541. Fig. 6-11 motor will never reverse with this scheme. Turning dial in opposite direction FWD biasis Q2 turning on Q1 which energizes RY2. RY1 drops out turning system off. Motor never runs CCW.

   I have a comprehensive technical library, and one of my books is by this author entitled "Design and Operation of Regulated Power Supplies". It's an old book, and it's full of solid state circuits. I am indebted to authors like Mr Gottlieb, for it's their writings that enabled me to learn solid state electronics.




3. I was disappointed with this book. While full of detailed figures and schematics, the book is hodge-podge of information with very little logical flow. It jumps from 100,000 feet into the treetops with no explanation. The author peppers the book with his insights but without any context and background leaving the reader confused. As well, the book is dated given recent advancements in motor control technology.



4. I haven't completed the book as yet but to the point I am at it is very informative and easy to read. I do recommend this book...



5. The author begins with plausible thought experiments that build to explain how common motors work. The remainder of the book is a large compendium of common circuits (both old and modern) used to control various motor types. His analysis of some designs were a bit oddly explained (but my background is RF and microwave design, not power electronics). I get something new and revealing every time I open the pages.

3 comments about Machinery's Handbook Large 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.

5 comments about Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam, 12th Edition.

1. The book is excellent, but the physical quality of the bound text is not good. I bought the 11th edition. Admittedly, it was used; but it was in excellent shape. Almost immediately the pages began falling out. Eventually they fell out in clumps.
   
   I think that PPI should publish the book in sections rather than as one giant text. I'm sure that a large book places greater stress on its pages than does a smaller one.
   
   This book is relatively expensive. It is a fact that many of my engineering books have fallen apart and others, used an equal amount, did not. It must have to do with the quality of the binding.
   
   I'd rather pay another $25.00 for the book and not have it disintegrate.



2. This book is a must have for the PE Mechanical Exam, however like anything if you do not put any time into learning the material and knowing where to find the equations you will have trouble during the exam...you must do your homework. If you want to pass the exam the first time follow the author's suggestion on how many hours need to be devoted to study. The only criticism I have for the book is the order in which some of the material is presented. Along with this book you need to purchase the practice problems by Lindeburg. During the exam you may want to bring in a few of your undergrad text books depending on the specific test you will be taking. Overall the author has done an excellent job taking a very broad subject and compressing it down into an easy to use book.



3. This was my major "P.E. Exam" reference for both the prep & the actual exam (11th edition). I've also found it a great addition to my collection of desk references.
   
   Buy it, study it, use it, and good luck!



4. I have 11th edition, how is it compared with 12th? Do I have to order the 12th to keep updated for the exam? Thanks for your comments.



5. At first I was going to borrow a co-workers copy of this book to save myself the money. After using it for a few weeks I went ahead and bought my own copy. This is an excellent reference manual, not just for taking the PE, but also for work. The book contains just enough information to get you started on a topic and perform most calculations/analysis. I was amazed that it even contained topics on management that I have been covering in my MBA classes.
   
   This was all I needed for taking the PE. Don't bother bringing suitcases of books. This alone was enough to answer all but one of the 80 questions.

1 comments about Newton's Telecom Dictionary, 24th Edition: Telecommunications, Networking, Information Technologies, The Internet (Newton's Telecom Dictionary).

1. A must have for someone in the telecommunications industry.
   
   Once again we see technology advancements after technology advancements...

2 comments about Machinery's Handbook Toolbox Edition (Machinery's Handbook).

1. it's all you need, the best in it's class. There is a little bit of everything inside...bible of engineering



2. Great reference book for the engineer or machinist. The book I purchased was listed as used and in excellent condition. It was as advertised, perhaps even better. Shipping was fast and ahead of projection. Couldn't be happier with my Amazon.com purchase!

5 comments about The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual.

1. I've been studying insurgent warfare for a long time before it became a hot topic... again. I still recommend Galula's Counterinsurgency Warfare and Hamilton's The Art of Insurgency which is a great book but is little referenced. There are of course books by Kitson and others. (Nagl's book which I've reviewed is a good dissertation but is limited in it scope and perception. He writes the forward to this edition.) The two volume War in the Shadows is okay background but not worth a two volume read. Which brings us to the Counterinsurgency Field Manual, which if you are serving and only have time to access one source, this is a dependable one.
   
   Although the CFM is oriented more toward the current unpleasantness the principles of counterinsurgency have been carefully gleaned from the best sources and multiple situations as well as updating insurgent response for the 21st century. Keeping food deliveries out of active insurgent areas might have worked for the British in Malaya, but you could imagine the field day CNN would have with it today. Probably the best things the writers do in this manual is freely admit that the devil is in the details and that these will have to be worked out locally and supported nationally.
   
   For those who still aren't buying into "the insurgent stuff" which unfortunately over the last 30+ years has gone under state department approved phrases like "nation building" and executive office of the President terms like "counter terrorism" you don't have to worry that the Army or Marines are going to lose their conventional edge with these approaches. The CFM makes it clear that this is only one form or warfare and that modern war can slip across the entire spectrum. What is not needed is more doctrine...what is needed is a tool box and the CFM attempts to be one of those tools.
   
   The CFM makes many good points and I'm not going to list them all here, but the most important one I felt has to do with the assumption of more risk. Insurgent warfare requires soldiers to go out and get in the streets with people to provide the basic security for everyday activities that will lead to a legitimate government. Legitimacy cannot come from the national level down no matter what form of government people actually settle for (A basic concept found in any undergraduate PolySci 101 class which no one in the State Deptment or Congress must have taken.) The average Joe doesn't care about the grand schemes. He wants to go to work, get married, raise a family and have a shot at some level of comfort without getting killed. The key to winning against insurgents is that the most committed to providing these basic parameters for the average Joe, wins. You show your true colors and level of commitment when you have to go out and get shot at. But the alternative, which never works, and we still seem to be doing is to concentrate forces on large FOB's and separate them from the population. This has got to be one of the toughest of balancing acts to provide force protection, logistics as well as force projection and maintenance that supports an ongoing relationship with the civilian population. Fighting an insurgency is not for the faint hearted, the draftee, or those who needed to be reelected every 2 years. It takes soldiers in neighborhoods who know the people and have the power to affect their lives...albeit indirectly if possible.
   
   I disagree with the CFM on two points. I disagree with using the idea of "counterinsurgency" for philosophical reasons. The term by its very nature places you at a disadvantage to the insurgents. I believe you fight an insurgent war and win it by being better insurgents, not by being better "counterinsurgents." But this is probably more a matter of semantics. My second area of disagreement is really the book itself. This "new" book on insurgent warfare is really a great gazette of all the current knowledge that has been around for years plus the all necessary Army doctrine, without which the lowliest private cannot have a bowel movement. The Army's "can't do it without doctrine" attitude is what made this book come out so far behind the power curve to begin with. All this information is and has been known and available but the Army couldn't "discover" it. The US has a long insurgent history that is little studied or learned from. Our nation was founded by an insurgency. We've fought insurgents throughout our history: Native Americans, especially in the West, the border struggles during the Civil War, Phillipines, Cuba, Nicuagua, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. As organizations that need to be highly adaptable, the Army and the Marines need to stop paying tuition for the same lessons over and over again. I realize that not all of this lack of organizational awareness is theirs. A great deal of the responsibility for lack of responsiveness lies at the feet of elected officials who do not do their part and provide the clarity of purpose upon which coherent military strategies are based. The mist in Congress becomes a dense fog for those who are tasked with the nation's defense.



2. I actually bought this book some months back but I kept putting off picking it up because I assumed this would be a dense work filled with military jargon and more acronyms than one could shake a stick at. I assumed that it would be a tedious and difficult read so I found reasons to put it off, but when I finally forced myself to begin this book I was quite shocked. The book is very easy to read and very well written. The book has just a few acronyms that I had memorized within a couple of pages after their introduction, and the book is very well laid out with impeccable organization (as should be expected I guess). I dare say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book on all levels. Of course the information and the knowledge to be gleaned from this work is extremely important.
   
   I think if this book were to become required reading for students then I think we could prevent some costly misadventures in future because this book really details what an occupation requires. Everyone would understand that military action will require a deep level of commitment for the military and on all levels of civil society as well.
   
   I also think it is the least we can do as citizens to educate ourselves on what our military men and women are doing and attempting to implement in situations where they face this type of conflict. One gets a sense of what a soldier goes through and the huge load that is put on the ordinary soldier. It is an extremely difficult task they are asked to perform in these situations, and they are asked to perform this task with honor and discretion in the face of terrible situations.
   
   There are some good reviews here that speak more to the content of the work by people obviously more versed in the topic than myself, so I will just say that this book is very well done and an easy read. If you are like me and are putting off reading or buying this book, then let me just say go ahead. It is worth the money and the effort. I highly recommend this book.



3. This is the best manual that the military has ever published. While it is very thorough and covers every aspect of how to run a successful counterinsurgency, it is broken down into easy to understand concepts. Designed for commanders at all levels, it easily applies to every military member involved in the campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan. This should be a must read for anyone deploying to the AOR, military or civilian as it will shape the way you think, speak, and act while trying to successfully end the insurgency that grips these countries.



4. This manual should be required reading for any candidate for public office at a national level, as well as all foreign staff personnel. After reading the manual I was better able to understand the motivations and actions of the various factions within Iran today. It also re-enforces the idea that terrorism / insurgency is not just an issue for a single nation, but anymore is a global issue.



5. I believe this manual is an excellent overview of counterinsurgency strategy and some tactics. This includes the broad strategy as well as to the drill down for the units/teams/boots on the ground. Its stated audience is for battalion commanders and their staff and higher. I would recommend it to any soldier, sailor or marine regardless of rank and for U.S. citizens generally who have an interest in the topic.
   
   According to the manual, the host nation (HN) and the counterinsurgency force (COIN) will win if they can provide security first, and then other functions of a responsive - responsive to the HN populace - HN government. Otherwise, the populace will seek security and services elsewhere (i.e., in insurgent organizations/militias). This is not necessarily a sequential ordering. While basic security is fundamental - once a baseline is reached - other governmental functions responsive to HN's populace's concerns should also be instituted, supported, and reinforced, while still improving and accelerating the improvement of the security environment for the populace. One example used is how insurgency organizations/militias can destabilize the security environment and create insecurity through terrorist strikes, in order to then be viewed by the populace as the cure to the insecurity by operating militias to defend against such insecurity, and thus try to gain popular support.
   
   Bottom line: creation, maintenance and sustainment (or assisting/building up) of legitimacy in the host nation vs. the insurgent organizations is the contest and crux of the matter. Insurgency and counterinsurgency is a fight for the support of the populace (i.e., the big middle). This conclusion should have been clear by now - insurgency has been with us for a very long time. For some examples, in the West, you can go back to at least to Julius Caesar for lessons; see also Napoleon; in the East, you can go back to at least to Sun-Tzu's The Art of War.
   
   According to the manual, to win an insurgency/counterinsurgency type conflict, requires staying power without intentional or unintentional signaling of wavering support for staying the distance, at least until the HN has achieved the "tipping point" in terms of legitimacy and popular support.
   
   As an aside, there is a good appendix on Social Network Analysis (SNA), which provides a cogent overview of some of the key concepts for those not familiar with SNA or its use in war, conflict, or intelligence.

5 comments about Arrl Ham Radio License Manual: All You Need to Become an Amateur Radio Operator (Arrl Ham Radio License Manual).

1. There are lots of things to learn about radios and lots of books available on different technical topics. This one is focused on getting your first ham radio license.
   
   The ARRL Ham License Manual is written in a 'welcome to the club' type manner with most of the information on radios, licensing, and ham radio as a hobby explained farily clearly. Moreover, it contains ALL of the ACTUAL questions in the pool of potential test questions. In other words, if you read the book and work through the questions there will be no surprises on the FCC exam!
   
   This book was used as the text for a two-day ham radio license class I attended. I read the book ahead of time and worked through the test questions at the end of each section. All of the answers are given and linked to chapters in the book if you need to go back and see what you missed.
   
   If you have a background in radio or catch on to technical things easy, this book could easily prepare you to pass the Technician (basic level ham license) without taking a class. Used along with a class or with help from a local ham radio club, this book would help prepare someone with no radio background or little technical experience.
   
   ARRL is the dominant, authoritative amateur radio organization in the US and this book is 'a standard' among hams. It won't make you an expert or explain every technical detail of radio but will help you get your first ham license. At $25 it is a very good value.



2. The first few chapters were a lot to wade through with introductions to radio and electrical terminology. Chapter three is where the book gets interesting and begins to be a lot of fun to read. (note: You might want to read chapters one and two twice before going on to the rest of the book). It tells you all you need to get licensed as a ham as well as where to seek out additional information. One caution it introduces you to a World that seems endless with opportunities to explore. A good companion to this book for studying for the test are the sample tests at www.qrz.com.



3. I am a new Ham. I just passed the Technician class test with a perfect score. The only resource I used was this book. The test isn't hard to begin with but why not make it easy on yourself and use the official material. The question pool in the back of the book are the same questions on the test. Technically you could just memorize all the questions and go take the test but you will be lost as to how to actually BE a Ham after you pass.
   
   The contents of the book cover everything from what frequencies you are allowed to use as a Technician level Ham to basic electric theory. There is no need to buy any other materials. Just find a comfy chair, open this up and read it cover to cover stopping to answer the questions in the back of the book when prompted. That's it.
   
   Great book.



4. I used this product to obtain my Technician license and it worked perfectly. Every topic is easily laid out in a clear, concise fashion, and the question pool at the back of the book is well-organized. The material is also presented in an interesting and unique way, so you will not tire of learning. Highly recommended!



5. If you want to learn to be a Technician class amateur radio operator, this book is a must read. The Gordon West Q&A book will teach you to pass the test. This book will teach you to be a Ham.
   
   Morse code is not required anymore. Get you license!

5 comments about Pocket Ref.

1. My husband has this book and uses it frequently. It is all kinds of useful information and conversion charts. My 14 year old thought this would be a good thing to keep in her backpack, it is like carrying an encyclopedia of math and science information packed away in a small book.



2. The "Pocket Ref." is a must have for anyone that lives and breaths. The information in this book is invaluable. I highly recommend this book to anyone & everyone that has a desire to be prepared for any situation. This book has it all, from first aid, automotive, geology, carpentry& construction and even world zip codas. Anything you will ever want to know. This book would make a great gift for students from grade school to collage or any professional. It is a must buy, well worth the small price tag for what you get. Order one and see for your self. You wont be disappointed!



3. A great reference for everyday encounters plus some bizzar data you would never have known about. I have checked many of the Calculations and have found them to be right on. Don't tell the publishers this is worth 4 times the price.



4. I love the Pocket Ref. I've kept one in my toolbox and one in my backpack for the last five years.
   It has a little information for anything you would need.
   While it's obvious application is for handymen of all types, any college student will also find it invaluable. I check the pocket ref before any trip to the library. It has saved me many hours of work.
   
   The only negative is the type size, if you need reading glasses, be sure to keep them with the pocket ref. Of course any larger type size and it wouldn't be the "pocket" ref.



5. Probably the best collection of tables, conversion factors,material properties and countless other useful information ever assembled in a small package. Not just engineering data but many totally unrelated fields. Great "stocking stuffer". If it isn't in here, you probably don't need to know it.