5 comments about An Introduction to General Systems Thinking (Wiley Series on Systems Engineering & Analysis).

1. In computing, a timeless classic is anything that is worth reading for any reason other than to obtain a historical context after five years. If that still holds true after twenty five years, then it is truly an extraordinary piece of work. That label applies to this book. It is not about computing per se, but about how humans think about things and how "facts" are relative to time, our personal experience and environmental context.
   Human thinking is a complex operation and that is the point of this book. The problems and examples presented are not those in computing, but problems in how we think about the world and how that world can be different from person to person. In many ways, Weinberg anticipates the development of the science of chaos, where small changes lead to disproportionate large changes. His example of the "small" change of a single character is a classic. A man was considering the purchase of a piece of real estate, but when told the cost was fourteen million dollars, sent the response by telegram, "No, price too high." However, somehow a character was dropped, so the agent received the message, "No price too high", purchased the property and so a classic error was invented.
   Weinberg uses science and mathematics as the genesis point for most of his examples. The laws of thermodynamics, chance and simulations in state spaces are used to demonstrate the points. As someone with a wide background in science, I found his examples of how scientific thought gives us an anchor but yet alters over time excellent learning material. Thought problems are included at the end of each chapter and they cover many different areas. Some involve mathematics, others science and many could be the point of a vigorous philosophical debate. Together they form the best collection of thought experiments and points of contention that I have ever seen gathered together in one location.
   This is a book that is a true classic, not in computing but in the broad area of scholarship. It is partly about the philosophy and mechanisms of science; partly about designing things so they work but mostly it is about how humans view the world and create things that match that view. This book will still be worth reading for a long time to come and it is on my list of top ten computing books of the year.



2. Weinberg distills the essence from von Bertalanffy's classic and manages to present it in a very accessible fashion. The book has been out of print for quite a while so it is great to see a new edition. The message and information contained in here, although originally published in 1975, is now more relevant than ever.

   Weinberg covers many aspects of systems theory beginning with the main stumbling block with the present scientific paradigm: the idea that the universe is mechanistic. His treatment is much more general than Robert Rosen's in "Life Itself" but still conveys why the mechanistic notion is flawed.

   He then outlines the general systems theory approach before leading into the idea that a system is simply a way of looking at the world. He then outlines the principle of indifference. This leads straight into two sections outlining various aspects of making observations. Finally he discusses behaviour and then some general systems questions.

   Throughout the book he uses many examples from disparate fields in conjunction with questions for further research. It is great to see someone who doesn't preach systems but actually uses the ideas.

   Definitely a must-read as we decided how to solve the myriad of issues before us.




3. I was searching for an alternative to the out-of-print book 'Quality Software Management, vol.1: Systems Thinking', written by the same Author.
   Having read few Sofware Management series books from the same Author, which I rate at the very top of my list, I was biased on very high expectations. Surprisingly, I have found it being quite verbose and in the end, I couldn't get too much inspiration out of it.



4. This book is excellent. I first read this book in graduate school in 1976, and I continue to find Weinberg's ideas useful. It was outstanding then, and it has held up with time.



5. Weinberg's book will not teach you how to be a systems thinker. It will, however, provide a stimulating discussion and thoughtful examination of an alternative approach to problem analysis and solution. The book is not so much about how the systems approach works or how it can be applied to complex problems as it is an invitation to his readers to explore their perceptions of what they think they know versus what they really do know. Throughout the book, Weinberg follows the strategy of leading the reader through a series of logical discussions designed to bring them face to face with their biases and misconceptions about systems vs. reductionist thinking. In doing so, Weinberg exposes the shortcomings of the reductionist approach to problem solving by demonstrating to his readers that the real solutions to some familiar and apparently simple problems are very complex.
   
   Through his examples, Weinberg shows that by viewing a system holistically within its environment, we may be able to discern patterns of behavior/actions and recognize interactions, interrelationships, and interdependencies among the components that will be missed in a reductionist approach. From that view, we can better understand the system and, perhaps, better predict how it will evolve over time. The success of his approach is demonstrated by the fact that people are still reading and quoting his book 25+ years after it was written.
   
   One facet of this book which I found beneficial may be a drawback for some readers. Weinberg wrote from the viewpoint of a computer programmer and a scientist. A person not versed in either field might have difficulty understanding his examples.

No comments about Linear Systems Theory.

5 comments about Principles of Plasma Discharges and Materials Processing , 2nd Edition.

1. This book provides a theoretical overview of plasma's, including coverage of ECR applications. This was very valuable for Hitachi Etchers. The theory is presented at an undergraduate level and assumes the reader has knowledge of vector analysis. Highly recommended for any Etch Process Engineer in the Semiconductor Industry.



2. Lieberman covers many of the standard processing devices and much of the physics needed to model them effectively.

   The presentation is clear and extremely useful both as a reference and as a tutorial. A must-have book for anyone interested in plasma processing.




3. This book provides an excellent introduction and overview of plasma discharges applied to semiconductor manufacturing. It is well-organized, clearly-written and full of useful examples and exercises. And unlike many books on plasma physics, it is not overly-mathematical and contains many useful physical insights. I strongly recommend this book for anyone wanting to review the field of plasma processing.



4. As a praciticing process engineer my opinion is this book lacks insight. Typical text book written a professor in the academic community with no practical experience. This book spends far to much time deriving equations and not discussing the basics concepts. The author makes a half hearted attempt to relate the first 14 chapters to the real worl, in a short and inadequate Chapter 15. This is the first mail book order book i took the time to return. In all honesty this book is not worth the $90.00. Spend your money elsewhere



5. One of the most practical and comprehensive resources on plasma phyics and engineering. The book is much easier to understand and more in depth than most other books on the subject, except for maybe chen (who takes more of a physics approach, whereas lieberman takes more of an engineering approach) This book is a must have for anyone working with or studying plasmas.

4 comments about The Essence of Chaos (The Jessie and John Danz Lecture Series).

1. Edward Lorenz takes a complicated topic and makes it accessible for all people, regardless of prior knowledge of chaos theory. He provides interesting and easy to follow examples of chaos, fractals and complexity. The illustrations are helpful and he includes a glossary of terms to aid the beginning chaos enthusiasts to quickly become familiar with the terminology. Mr. Lorenz gives a brief history of chaos and explains how it is used in the study of mathematics, meteorology, economics, music, and other fields. The book is very interesting and is highly recommended for those who would like to acquaint themselves with the exciting world of chaos.



2. Lorenz has done it again. This is a terrific inside look at chaos by the man who made Gleick's book possible. And it had a few interesting new ideas too--who would have thought there was a different way to present fourth-order Runge-Kutta? Who would have thought Runge-Kutta could convert a phase-space circle to a nice-looking fractal attractor? A good book for the air plane.



3. My first intro to chaos was Gleick's book *Chaos: Making a New Science* which focused on the history of the discovery of chaos. Although this was fascinating - and a good read for those just learning about dynamical systems, strange attractors, and the like - Lorenz's *Essence of Chaos* was much more satisfying. Lorenz analyzes specific chaotic functions, gives you the math (equations are in the appendix) and generally accomplishes what the title suggests - that is, exploring the essence of chaos. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in this deeply fascinating subject.



4. Lorenz did a great job when he wrote this book!
   The very first time when I heard of chaos theory was year ago while watching some old documentary about Nostadamus. In film was mentioned chaos theory and said that acceptance of it by many people could change whole look to life and so on. Movie left to me questions - what is that theory, what it's standing for.
   Finaly my interest lead me to this book and it clearly showed me what kind of staff is that chaos theory! That was and is really intriguing!
   Book is well written. There was of course some places that wasn't easy to understand. I myself have studied high math,encountered differential equations but anyway had some difficulties. That's why not 5 stars to book - it's really not for absolutely everyone although almost close to it. I couldn't stop it reading, I was done in two days.
   This book encouraged me for further reading.

2 comments about Automating with STEP 7 in STL and SCL: Programmable Controllers SIMATIC S7-300/400.

1. A must for the person using Siemens PLC's. This is the book for the beginner or for the experienced Siemens S7 Programmer. Book cover the things you need to know or reference when programming.



2. "Automating with S7...STL/SCL" is a reference book for any EXPERT programmer using Siemens S7 PLCs. Hans Berger, the author, is the "father" of S7 PLC family (in a technical way). If you want to reach the EXPERT level, YOU MUST HAVE THIS BOOK!!! On the other side, if you know you will stay to ladder logic level at least 95% of the time (or, you "know and use / program" ten types of PLCs, ten types of drives, etc) then, YOU DON'T NEED THIS BOOK!

No comments about Signals and Systems (The Oxford Series in Electrical and Computer Engineering).

5 comments about Multivariable Feedback Control: Analysis and Design.

1. This is a excellent book for graduate student working in Control. It starts of with concepts in control and gradually goes into the details of multivariable control. Presentation on $\mu$ is clear and concise. I really liked the material on decentralzed control and control structure selection. Prof. Siguard Skogestad and Prof. Ian Postlethwaite did a excellent job. However, I wish there were more problems at the end of each chapter focussing on the research issues.



2. The item was delivered on time and was what I asked for.



3. This is a very advanced book and requires a strong background, especially in matrix analysis. I would recommend reading other text books before tackling this one. I still have not finished this book because I am reading around the subject before taking on the more advanced chapters, however I think that the book is excellent and if you can understand the techniques then the book is worth having.



4. This is a very comprehensive book on multivariable control, particularly chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9 wich are very useful to people who want to understand robustness and are interested in studying these topics by themselves. It was of great help to me.



5. This is a great book on practical, robust, multivariable control. It covers the basic control theory, analysis, limitations and design for robust SISO and MIMO systems. The theory is reinforced with computational examples throughout the text.

No comments about Mobilities.

5 comments about General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications.

1. Bertalanffy is one of the best educated men and deepest thinkers ever. General Systems Theory is a monument to his greatness. Keep a dictionary handy, and brush up on your Latin. This is the top of the intellectual mountain, where men no longer tread.



2. Although he wrote a lot about the general theory of systems,
   I think it is his approach to the problems of how living systems
   interact with their environment in a catabolic manner
   that makes him really important.
   He has had impact from fields like biology to
   fluid dynamics.
   He set a standard for how we think about history
   and with Lewis F. Richardson The Collected Papers of Lewis Fry Richardson (Collected Papers of Lewis Fry Richardson, Vol 2)and Isaac AsimovThe Foundation Trilogy
   made a science possible.



3. This book is good to someone who wants to think about systems. However, is not the book aim to give details about the system definition. For example, is hard to see definitions of open system, feedback, components, inputs, outputs. The reason for that is the historical moment of the book.
   
   It is a good book. Anyone who thinks about system should own this book.



4. The best view, writed on general system theory, selected and edited to show the evolution of systems theory and to present its applications to problem solving. Recommended on such widely diverse disciplines as biology, economics, psychology, and demography.



5. I've looked high and low for a text summarizing systems theory and I write this review in near shock having just finished this book. I say "shock" because I just can't believe how remarkably undated this book is after nearly 40 years (first edition 1969). I've read books by Checkland, Lazlo, Weinberg and many others but nothing summarizes the systems world view better than this classic. You've gotta love a scientist/philosopher who quotes Aldous Huxley liberally. I'd give it six stars if I could.

5 comments about Ubiquity: Why Catastrophes Happen.

1. This is the book that I would like to have written. Although being a popular account, it is scientifically accurate and carefull in its suggestions, always informing the reader what is consolidated science and what is scientific speculation.
   In contrast to a previous review, I have read all the pages of this book. Since I am a physicist working in this very subject (self-organized criticality), I probably can say that if someone use the example of a Gaussian (bell shaped curve) to illustrate that the power laws discussed in the book are trivial, well, this person have not understood anything.
   Gaussians have exponential decays, so they predict that very larg events (catastrophes) will occur with vanishing probability. For example, the heigh of people is distributed as a Gaussian. What is the probability of finding a 3 meter person?
   Zero.
   Distributions wich have power law tails, depending on the power exponent, may have no well defined variance or even average value. This means that there is no "average" earthquake, and that very big earthquakes (or other cathastrophes) are not "acts of God" but have a no desprezible chance of occur due to simple chain reactions of events.
   I have introduced my students to ideas like critical states and modern physical thinking by using this book. So, I can recommend it to any reader without reserve. The emphasis by the author that critical chain reactions of events must be accounted by any view of History and Society is an important mind tool in our increasing interconnected (and, because it, prone to global chain reactions) world.



2. Its an interesting read. The reason I didnt give it 5 stars is that I have already read one of Marks previous books (Nexus) which has some overlap (not a lot) with this book. In fact it would be beneficial to readers to read the Nexus book before reading this one as what he writes about in that book really helps to understand this book.
   
   I was really hoping for some more answers on how to predict things based on what Mark talks about but that is the essential outcome of the book, you cant predict things!



3. It was well recommended to me but I found it quite boring and found myself fast forwarding through the chapters. It has an interesting theme - the cause of natural catastrophes - but for a science book I found it quite dissapoiting...



4. I was unable to finish this book though it was recommended by a cousin. I just found that I got lost in all the formulas and expected outcomes. but I am sure that it is good research, just not for me.



5. I, like some of the other reviewers, found that I could not read this cover to cover. And, I thirst for topics that look at the not-so-obvious faults and currents which underlie everything. Thus, I was eager to read about work being done with sandpile theories. Yes, there was mention of it. And, there were callbacks to it. But, whatever whole and complete picture Buchanan was trying to paint never came together. There were so many side trips and diversions that I just had to skim whole chapters in search of where I might pick up the trail again. I felt I was left in the woods, deep with discussion of the science itself rather than the topic this science was supposed to be exploring. Some of the stories were interesting. And, for me, there was a take away: the notion of maladjustment -- the build up of stress preceding any ...upheaval. In this case, the book might have a case of mal-editing.