5 comments about Latitude Hooks and Azimuth Rings: How to Build and Use 18 Traditional Navigational Instruments.

1. This is not just a craft/wood working set of plans (and a very good set too) it is a history of the tools of navagation. The tools I built from this book work. They are not the best things to use for finding your way (wood instead of metal). But they work reasonably well.



2. The Good: An excellent overview ancient navigational instruments. In addition to sundials, octants and compasses, Fisher covers such escoteric tools as the traverse board (used to track direction and ship speed), the weatherglass (early barometer), the kamal (arabian navigation tool) and the cross staff (predecessor to the octant).
   The Bad: Very crude, hand-drawn illustrations and building plans. No photographs or contemporary illustrations of the actual instruments. Though it is clear that the author has made each of these instrument himself, the book even lacks photos of his own reconstructions. Many illustrations of critical parts are unclear and difficult to understand. The only saving grace is Fisher's excellent descriptions of the parts and the building process.

   The Verdict: Though his concept, scope and research are excellent, the failure of the publisher to back Fisher up with quality illustrations, photographs, and professionally-drafted design plans prevents this from being the excellent book it could have been. While it is possible to actually build these tools, the process is more difficult that it should be due to the lack of quality plans.




3. This is an interesting book for those who want to know a bit more about the history of navigational tools, by showing you how to build a few of them. Don't expect to build a high-precision instrument directly from the contents, but if you are looking for a book that will start you on the right path, then this is it.



4. As a medieval reenactor with a nautical persona, I bought this book to get some information on navigational instruments used in the Middle Ages. This book is a gold mine of information on making and using traditional navigational instruments. Although some of the instruments do not fit into my time of interest (Western Europe 1066-1603), most do, and the instructions on making and using them are good. The historical information is spotty,and some information does not agree with other sources that I consider reliable, but this is not intended as a history book, and the information it DOES provide on construction and use fills in a lot of gaps in other sources. This is a must-have book if you want to know how to make and use medieval navigational instruments.



5. I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend. We are both stargazers. This is really a cool book for the hobbiest, stargazer, and nauticalist. These are all working designs, but you DO NEED TOOLS!! Good Farther's Day gift ladies!

2 comments about All This and Sailing, Too.

1. The world's most successful yacht designer and a superstar in the sport of sailing, Olin Stephens writes the story of his long life around boats. There's much here to interest sailors -- including stories of the America's Cup and other key races -- as well as a lot that's controversial about racing, racing rules, Dennis Conner, and the Cup. Olin sailed in two Cup winners, designed six of them, and designed and raced winners of other major races.

   This is also the story of a fascinating, sensitive, and humble man, as you can see in the opening sentences: "I was lucky; i had a goal. As far back as I can remember I wanted to design fast boats."

   Engagingly written and beautifully published, this is a book for any sailor.




2. This is a charming and insightful autobiography by the living legend of 20th century yacht design. It is beautifully produced with many glorious photographs and illustrations. But its outstanding quality is the warmth and modesty of the writer which shines through his personal account of his contribution to yacht design and the highlights of Sparkman & Stephens' record over the past 70 years. Chapters on his early years, the breaks he had as a fledgling designer, the Americas Cup successes, the wartime development of the DUKW, his philosophy of design and approach to rating rules for yacht racing will enthrall a wide readership.

   Owners of S&S designed yachts - and many others besides - will doubtless be captivated by this book. No wonder the first printing is already a sell-out.

No comments about Modern Weapons Caching: A Down-To-Earth Approach To Beating The Government Gun Grab.

5 comments about Building Small Boats.

1. I loved the clear way the author explains the process of building wooden boats. His pictures were fantastic. His sailboat is beautiful. The only thing that threw me at first was the chapter on lofting, (drawing out the boat parts full scale on paper from grid measurements). I suggested to the author that he revise that chapter a little for novices like me, he may not need to do so. A reader might read one of the other authors' chapter on lofting to further understand the process, which I did.



2. This is, quite simply, the most useable and useful book for small boat building which is out there. A legendary teacher at the WoodenBoat School, Greg Rossel uses his years of experience to take the reader through the whole process of constructing a wooden boat. The chapter on lofting alone is worth the price of the whole book. One might consider Chapelle's "Boatbuilding" to be Old Testament: accurate, certainly, but with many references which today the reader would find archaic. Rossel, however, is decidedly New Testament. He is a cheerful, witty, and knowlegeable companion who takes you from selecting a set of plans to finishing the brightwork. Highly recommended.
   
   Gordon H.Hafner



3. This is the "must have" guide for all builders of small wooden boats.Tools,materials,plans and construction techniques- all are covered in an easy to read style.There is value for the novice and professional alike.A terrific book!



4. I bought this book in the hopes of learning how to loft a boat I want to build. Unfortunately, the author wrote the book for people who already have a broad knowledge of boat building and its terms. The author uses terms that he nether defines nor provides in his glossary. It was very disappointing and I found several other books more useful and less expensive.



5. Building Small Boats
   'Building Small Boats' by Roessel is an excellent overview and essential reference for anyone interested in the tools, materials and techniques of building traditional small watercraft. There is plenty of practical advice and great descriptions here to get started. Other books on specific topics such as adhesives and lofting may be desired for additional detail but this one would be the first I would pick up. Consider this book the foundation of a small library on traditional boatbuilding. Excellent investment.

5 comments about The SKS Carbine, 4th Revised and Expanded Edition (Biotechniques Books).

1. Hihgly recommended for SKS collectors, and someone who is intersted in using the SKS rifle.

   The book gives history of the SKS Carbine and how to identify the manufacturers of your rifle. There are detail description of each of the components of the carbine in detail and if they are compatible among different manufacturers.

   Since many of these carbine are military surplus, one of the most useful part is how to check to make sure the carbine is safe and how properly maintenance your rifle.




2. While it contains information that has been covered countless times elsewhere (weapon breakdown, cleaning, etc.) this book also contains a wealth of information I have not seen anywhere else: information on how to determine where your SKS came from, information on the various parts and the different versions of parts, what's interchangeable, what's not, etc.

   One of the best sections tells you how to inspect an SKS before buying it. I got lucky when I bought my SKS -- I gave it a rather cosmetic going over and later on when I knew what I was doing I realized that I got one in A-1 shape. With this book I would have known for sure long before I put my money down.




3. Although the usefulness of this book cannot be over stated for the SKS owner, it is in need of revision! With the import of the Romanian SKS variants there is a need to add to this book. Granted most of the information can be infered by reading the Russian sections, there are some differences that could benefit from a new revision. One area this book needs more of is parts compatiblity between models. Not all SKS parts are created equal, and some of the more dangerous examples cry out to be covered. For instance there are at least 4 different types of firing pins, and some of them are not interchangable. I found this book especially helpful with identification, and history of this facinating and occasionally misunderstood firearm. If you have an interest in the SKS you will not regret this purchase. I haven't!



4. Steve Kehaya and Joe Poyer have done SKS owners a tremendous favor in publishing THE SKS CARBINE. Not only do they provide a competent summary of the carbine's development, but they follow the part-by-part format that makes the FOR COLLECTORS ONLY series so useful.
   
   I found everything I needed to know about my Chinese, Soviet, and Yugoslav carbines. The Albanians are not covered, but they were imported after the publication of this useful book in 1996.
   
   Fortunately, there is enough overlap between the Albanian and the other SKS types that I can find most of what I need. If THE SKS CARBINE goes into a second edition, I would expect to see the more information on later types of SKS carbines imported into the US.
   
   As handy as these carbines are, I expect interest in them will remain high and guys like me enjoy learning more about the guns we shoot. Keep up the good work, North Cape Publications!



5. I have been scouring the internet for good information on Romanian SKS carbines. This was the best information that I have found to date. The Romanian SKS is not just a copy of a Russian SKS, like I had read elsewhere.
   
   Fascinating read. Lots of diagrams, photos, really seems like the authors did a great job of researching their subject.
   
   I liked the information about the factories where these were made. Lots of information that you won't find elsewhere.
   
   Would highly recommend to any SKS collector.

5 comments about The Art of Rigging.

1. When you open the pages of "The Art of Rigging," you step back in time over two hundred years. The language herein is that of mariners of the days of wooden ships. You must learn the language to fully appreciate the treasure that is this book.
   The author or, more properly, reviser, Captain George Biddlecombe, Royal Navy, died in 1878. This book, first published in 1848 by another author, Charles Wilson, was based on a rigging manual published in 1794. It was again revised and published in 1925.
   If you are expecting modern terms, word usage, and grammar, forget it! This is the real stuff, exactly as done and recorded by the men of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
   If you are expecting an easy read on the order of "Dick & Jane and Their Dog Spot," forget it! This book is hard work, even the pictures can be difficult, but it is a varitable gold mine of information if you're willing to dig.
   Here is a quotation that I found particularly opaque until I translated it into modern English: "Burton pendants are triced up by the girtlines, and placed over the top-mast-head, that the thimbles may hang on each side, to hook the burton-tackles in."
   Poetry! I leave it to you to perform your own translation!
   If you believe that there is no gain without pain, this book is for you. If you want your pablum spoon-fed to you, you'd best be advised to buy a plastic model.(...)



2. This book is brilliant. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the rigging of ships. Perhaps not so useful in the real world today, but full of great information and lots of practical knowledge should you find yourself stranded on a Nineteenth Century bark with no one else who understands rigging. Also beneficial for those who enjoy building ship models. A very excellent volume to have on your home library shelves with which to impress your friends and neighbors, too. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.



3. I feel this book would benefit a teacher instructing a studient, or an ex-sailor; like my husband. I had to ask for his help. I am re-searching old sailing methods and the Art of Rigging is beneficial for this purpose.



4. The book does not go into great detail, but does give an excellent idea of how square-riggers were rigged. It is more of an historical document than it is a descriptive analysis of how such ships were rigged and should be bought on that basis.



5. Requires a basic knowledge of ship's rigging to be useful; but for the modeller, it is an excellent reference work for specifics of the rigging of various blocks,pendants, etc. it even tells your how to build-up specific types of rigging.
   Not a good primary reference but is good as additional information.

5 comments about The Mosin-Nagant Rifle (For collectors only) (For collectors only).

1. This is the kind of detail you need if you want to track down where & when that 70 year old rifle you're holding in your hands has travelled. The details of the parts & markings is exhaustive, informative and actually really interesting to read.



2. Like the AK's of today's world, the Mosin-Nagant rifle of an earlier day was the standard military rifle of about half the world. It was adopted in 1891 by the Russians and served with them throughout World War I and World War II as their standard infantry rifle. It books a bit funny to American eyes when compared to the '98 Mauser or the 03 Springfield, but it was a well designed, reliable, reasonably accurate rifle. It did what the Red Army wanted it to do.
   
   Mr. Lapin is an expert on the rifle. He has painstakenly gathered information about the rifle from every imaginable source and now has produced this third revised and expanded edition that provided invaluable information to collectors. He basically describes the differences in essentially all of the variations in the rifle regardless of where or when it was produced.
   
   As such, this is the definitive book on the rifle (in English, I don't know about books in Russia. Anh collector of these rifles should have a copy to assist in identifying rifles.



3. Mosin-Nagant rifles were an acquired taste for me. I was always interested in World War I and World War II and was impressed that the Mosin-Nagant soldiered on through both major conflicts (starting with the Russo-Japanese War, actually) with some interesting detours.
   
   One of the most fascinating of those detours is represented by Finnish variations of the Mosin-Nagant. Lapin does an excellent job with major Finnish types, also. You might want to supplement it with Doug Bowser's RIFLES OF THE WHITE DEATH: A COLLECTOR'S AND SHOOTER'S GUIDE TO FINNISH MILITARY RIFLES 1918-1944.
   
   D.N. Bolotin's SOVIET SMALL-ARMS AND AMMUNITION is also a useful companion to Lapin's book. Lapin, however, is the starting point and the standard by which the others are measured.
   
   I gave Lapin's book five stars because of its value as a reference. It will be especially valuable to new collectors and shooters. Supplies of Mosin Nagant rifles are plentiful and prices are almost at give away levels if you shop around a little.
   
   Although the supplies of Finnish Mosin-Nagants has dried up, there are lots of Soviet rifles available. Some of those old Red Army 91-30s were probably at Stalingrad and other legendary battles. Get a copy of Lapin's book and start collecting.



4. great book for a collector or one starting out to collect. My rifle of a Mosin-Nagant is a 1938 m91/30...



5. I got my 1927 Izhevsk ex-Dragoon Rifle a few weeks ago and I had to get this book to find out about the history and development of this historic rifle. Mr. Lapin goes into exhaustive detail about all aspects of the rifle: history, politics, development, manufacturers, arsenal marks, different models, slings, bayonetts and he even includes a guide in the back of the book with the Russian alphabet and Russian and Finnish words and phrases which appear on Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines. This is especially helpful when attempting to decipher the Russian words stamped on the barrel. A must-have for the beginning collector!

5 comments about Theory and Design for Mechanical Measurements.

1. I used the 2nd edition of this book while in engineering labs at Clemson and now use the 2nd and now 3rd edition in my test engineering work. I find myself being able to go into it and pulling out enough information to get me going on a new test design project. The stuff on uncertainty cannot be found elsewhere and useful. One of the better real-world texts.



2. By the middle of the second chapter I realised that a monkey proofread this book. I couldnt believe there were as many stupid mistakes as there actually were.
   Buy it only if you're not actually going to read it.



3. This book is well written but it does require that you pay attention and think. I found this book to be very useful to understand engineering measurements. After three engineering coop internships, I enjoyed some rationale for methods I learned in practice. Lots of examples. Some of the Labview programs were helpful. One of the more useful texts.



4. I would recommend this book to every beginning engineer and experimentalist. The book is full of examples, derivations, and lots of questions. It does require that you actually read it to get anything out of it, but the best feature is the online material, with MATLAB programs, videos, and additional material. I have found this book is very enjoyable to teach out of, and given future opportunities I will use it much more.



5. I bought this textbook so I wouldn't have to pay the University's terrible prices (more than twice the price actually). I received the book in the exact same condition advertised, very promptly, and for a much better price... I'm very pleased!

5 comments about Troubleshooting Marine Diesels.

1. I bought Compton's book based on an ad in [...], a rather heavy duty marine diesel oriented web site. I already had Nigel Calder's marine diesel book and was somehow expecting more, but got less.
   
   Calder's book is more detailed and thorough. If you have Calder's, then you don't need Compton's. So, my advice is to get Calder's marine diesel book instead.



2. excellent and thorough - a real compliment to the spec sheet and manual provided with the engine. Good maintenance tips that were not included in the original manual.



3. This book turned out to be everything it promised. I own a 44' Ocean Alexander yacht with twin diesel motors as well as a 8KW diesel generator.
   After reading the book, for the first time I felt very comfortable in the engine room and knew what I was looking at and for.
   It's easy reading and written at a level anyone should be able to understand.
   I highly recommend it.



4. Great book for the average mechanic fixing of diagnosing his/her boats mechanical malfunctions. Look up symptoms and it gives you all problems which could cause them. Saved a bundle of money by being able to fix the problem myself with the help of this book.



5. I specifically purchased this book for the information on Yanmar diesels. I was not disappointed, but later found a factory type manual that was much better and also a source for Yanmar parts. I think I will closely compare both manuals to see if I will resell this or not. I would still give this three stars.

2 comments about Canvaswork and Sail Repair.

1. I wanted to know how to do it myself. Buy a sailrite sewing machine or at least a leather palm and even men who never sewed in their lives can repair a rip in the mainsail.



2. This book is okay as a basic intro to sewing, but is 90% about small canvas craft items you can make for your boat - and doesn't really get into sail repair at all.
   I picked up a few pointers from the book, but overall would recommend something more in-depth if you're serious about sail repair.