Reviews (2)

A tremendous book
The above reviewer will obviously have occupational health issues, because smoking weed while writing reviews will cause one to be disoriented, lose their balance, and possibly fall off a 100 story construction site beam.

This is an amazing book. While covering all of the topics in depth, this book is also easy to read, presenting the material in a fashion that allows the reader to recieve a complete understanding of the topic. This too was an assigned book for my class, and I'll be lucky if I get to take a Goetsch class again.

Poorly Written
This is one of the most poorly written textbooks I've read. The author, who is apparently a Phd, writes with the style of a 7th or 8th grader; he uses poor grammar, is painfully repetitive, uses jargon from differing areas of specialty (such as medical terms that require a medical dictionary to understand), leaves out information that should be there (based on the topics covered in my construction safety class), includes irrelevant information, and is flat out wrong about some topics (UL and ASTM would be interested to know "any relationship between a fire rating and the reality of fire resistance may be little more than coincidental".) This is especially frustrating considering this is the fourth edition. There is some evidence that the author has substantial knowledge about the topic. However, he is out of date in some areas and, in general, he presents that knowledge poorly. Also, judging from the breadth of topics this author had written about it appears the old cliche is true: "Jack of all trades. Master of none." While there is some decent information in this book, it is a chore to read. This was a required text for my class. If you have a choice in the matter choose something (anything) else. ... Read more

Book Description

The best available guide to saving money on a home construction project, The Owner-Builder Book shows you how to contract your new home, remodel, or addition at phenomenal savings. Contains a step-by-step description of the process, including how to find and hire good subcontractors, how to get a construction loan, and how to estimate costs and choose features for your project. Includes 85 planning steps and 100 new construction bargain strategies to save you thousands. Includes contracts, agreements, budget and schedule forms and worksheets. Super-index provides 1,150 search terms for total utility. Winner of the National Association of Home and Workshop Writers Silver Hammer Award for Books.

"...16 easy to read chapters with lots of charts, lists and examples...More practical advice..." Nancy Cook-Senn, The Shawnee News-Star

"...this is the book which will tell you how to design and build your own home just the way you want it. It also tells you how to save thousands of dollars in the process...You can also save up to 50% of the cost of a house by becoming an owner-builder...goes through the stages of how to plan, planning, how to buy, developing a network for purchasing your materials, how to get bids, what to look for in bids on different areas, how to supervise your sub contractors, etc...seems to leave very few, if any, stones unturned." Curtis Rivers, Vero Beach Press Journal

"Assuming you have the same costs that a general contractor will have, you will save the profit (more than 10 percent average) and the overhead (two to three times the profit) paid to a general...The Owner-Builder Book discusses just how this can be done." Ask the Experts, Country's Best Log Homes

"If you don't want to sorry, follow the process outlined by Mark Smith in his book, The Owner-Builder Book." Builders Showcase, Northwest Herald

"...covers every aspect of the building process, including planning, scheduling, working with subcontractors, financing, building permits, etc....has, perhaps for the first time, demystified the home-building process for the layman. Consider this to be a textbook." Prince William Region Home Focus

"...highlights techniques for materials shopping (what he calls "commando shopping") and planning your home room-by-room to maximize savings." Home & Real Estate Weekly, Daily Times-Call

"This new book gives a step-by-step approach to building your own home and saving up to 50 percent on construction costs. Chapters show how to beat contractor pricing tactics, how to deal with paperwork (contracts, permits, and legal and insurance protection), how to manage home building project on a daily basis, and how to avoid common owner-builder mistakes." The Henry Herald

"Great practical little book filled with tips to save money when building a home. If you want to take on the project yourself, it's good to know the tricks of the trade first. You'll learn to manage bureaucratic paperwork, how to get subs on your side, and even become privy to "commando" shopping techniques. The Smiths explain how to benefit from new tax laws and how to prepare yourself to get loan approval." Simple Living Quarterly

"If you ever have thought of building your own home, The Owner-Builder Book is for you because it is a step-by-step guide for the amateur and covers all aspects of building a home." Robb Northrup, Kitchener-Waterloo Record

"When it comes to building your dream home, sweat equity a.k.a. doing it yourself, can help economize. But you don't need to swing a hammer to nail substantial savings. In The Owner-Builder Book Mark Smith leads home-owners through a step-by-step guide of planning, scheduling and financing a custom built house." Michelle Mahfouri, American Press

"The 16-chapter book takes [you] from putting a materials list together and putting out bids to subcontractors to shopping for bargains and close-outs on framing lumber, fixtures, concrete and appliances. It also discusses how to avoid first-time mistakes." Kansas City Star ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Great overview of a complicated process
Owning your own home has long been considered the American Dream. For many, that includes designing and building the homes themselves. But building a home is a complex project filled with pitfalls and traps, and unwary budding homeowners can find their dreams turning into nightmares.

Enter Mark Smith, who has built several houses of his own. Written by a man who acted as his own general contractor, "The Owner-Builder Book" is crammed with useful advice on how to oversee your own project, from planning to construction. But be warned: it's unflinchingly honest about the amount of work and stress involved. While Mark Smith writes that it's possible to build a house in six months, first will come at least a year of planning and organizing. Once construction begins, you'll have to deal with ensuring that subcontractors appear on time and finish their work on time before the next group of workers appears. You may also have to deal with problems such as late deliveries of materials, subcontractors who don't show up, or who demand advances before working, threatened lawsuits,

Reading this book will give you a better appreciation of what the general contractor goes through. It will either fire your desire to run the show yourself and pocket the savings, or gratefully turn over the work to someone who does it for a living. But what it will also do is give you the information needed to make informed decisions that, even if you work with a contractor, will save you money.

Very helpful book!
I was fortunate to come across this book as I was making my decision to owner build my custom home. This book was an excellent resource and it allowed me to go in to my construction effort well informed and ready to tackle the project. From tax insights, to planning and organizing techniques this book covers everything that I needed to know. It's step by step plan of attack, and it's insightful and fun to read reminders truly helped me get into the drivers seat. In the end, I was able to save a substantial amount of money in the construction of my home, as well as avoiding several headaches, and mistakes along the way. The owner builder book chronicled owner builders like myself who had a story to tell, and insider tips. I also learned strategies that enabled me to take advantage of tax benefits. In owner building, knowledge isn't only power, it's tremendous savings.

Very Helpful Guidance * Practical Advice to PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
This is an excellent book to read during the PLANNING stages of your building project. The book is written in an easy-to-read format and had insightful suggestions on cost savings, tax avoidance, quality construction and more.
Highly recommended!

When Lenders Listen to Owner-Builders
The Owner-Builder world is here. When the cost of buying a home in the local subdivision is priced out of the hands of 50% of the local population it is time to look for alternatives.

The title of this book states it all. The Owner-Builder book is the first purchase (must have it) for those considering building their next home to meet family needs. The Author takes an on hands approach listing subject matter in easy to find sections. I like the way he relays this information.

The book will guide you to understanding many of the areas you are expected to know prior to talking seriously to a lender when securing a construction loan. I recommend this book to anyone approaching me for a construction loan. If they can complete the exercises and follow thru with the recommendations, they will have my ear for considering them for a loan. As a Construction Lender and Construction Site Supervisor this book is a must read for my clients. It saves money, time and enhances communication for all involved. Thank You for a great tool I can add to my professional arsenal. I recommend this book daily.

lacking in actual construction information
I found the book helpful in areas such as financing,getting subs to show up on time, and getting good prices on material.
I was looking for very specific info regarding the actual steps of constructing your own home. I need to know exactly what type of foundation is best, how to calculate much fill I'd need for the project and so on. If you're looking for a factual book on home construction, this is not the one. I'll keep looking. ... Read more

Book Description

Co-authored by Kenneth G. Budinski and Michael K. Budinski, his son, with over 50 years of combined industry experience in the field, this practical, understandable introduction to engineering materials theory and industry-standard selection practices provides readers with the working knowledge to (1) make an informed selection of materials for engineering applications and (2) correctly specify materials on drawings and purchasing documents. Encompassing all significant material systems—metals, ceramics, plastics, and composites—this text incorporates the most up-to-date information on material usage and availability, addresses the increasingly global nature of the field, and reflects the suggestions of numerous adopters of previous editions. Within the four major material categories, this edition includes specific coverage of international metal buying, plastic families, “survivor” ceramics, and composite coatings. Other topics include surface engineering; tribology (friction, wear and lubrication); material properties; cemented carbides; steel making; heat treating; and corrosion—including a treatment of electrochemistry. Appropriate for all materials engineers.

Reviews (10)

THE seminal introductory text for students and professionals
Dr. Ben G. Streetman, now Dean of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, has put together a thorough, yet understandable, introductory text to the important field of semiconductor devices. This book has been developed from his many years of teaching this subject to undergraduate and graduate students. The book proceeds from the basic physics of solid state junctions to the operation and electronic properties of advanced devices such as CMOS transistors and semiconductor lasers. Each section contains worked numerical examples, comprehensive review problems, and relevant citations for the reader who wishes to further investigate the subject matter. Streetman's conversational style works well with presenting sometimes difficult material in a very straightforward manner. You can almost picture yourself sitting in some Texas Hill Country barbecue restaurant, having Streetman explain the carrier behavior of a transistor under different biasing conditions, while having a plate of ribs and a few Shiner Bocks! The easy going style of this book does not diminish the depth of analysis of the material, and the reader comes away with a solid, functional understanding of the subject and is able to advance to more specialized texts. This book is also part of a teaching tool which includes lecture notes and worked solutions to problems making it a joy for first time professors teaching a course in this subject. This book is truly a classic and far surpasses its contemporaries in the field in terms of readability and its teaching power! Students will still be using this book (or some form of it) in one hundred years!

Streetman is Awesome!
I used this book (4th Ed.) for the solid state device class at The University of Illinois (U-C), as a junior. Streetman offers excellent explanations and it is a great reference to me even now! While you have to read it a few times to fully grasp the subject, that is a function of the material and not the writing.

When the 5th Ed. came out, I instantly went out and purchased it! The advanced device sections were updated, while the basics were left virtually untouched. In keeping with the original, Banerjee provides clear explanations of more recent phenomana - mainly in the MOSFET section. This came in handy studying for the qual!!!

Personally, Streetman and Pierret are the only device books I need.

Poor conceptually and lacking problem solv. techniques.
This is one of those books that looks serious but you start reading it and what you find is "holes" and "gaps": there is always something either missing or represented in an "upside-down" way. This book might be useful only if you already know this stuff and using it for reviewing.
- No solutions (not even to selected problems) and just few insufficient examples inside the chapters.
- No summaries and no prefaces: as you read, you never know where the author is going- and in the end of a chapter(which are too long) you alreay can't remember what you've read.
- Conceptual parts are either oversimplified, explained ambiguously or simply omitted
- Lots of equations/formulas but the author doesn't help in making them more intuitive or meaningful; also derivations are far from the best
- Even the logical order and organization of contents is confusing

very straight forward
I took semiconductor devices at UCF. This book was very helpful to me in understanding the matrial. As long as you do the required reading and spend a decent amount of time understanding the concepts you will have no problem. One of the things that comes in handy is the list of definitions in appendix 1. If you don't know the meaning of a symbol it will usually be defined there.

Nice readable text
This book is straight and to-the-point. Anyone who picks up this book up will not be disappointed with it. All concepts are explained in a very accessible and comprehensible manner. ... Read more

Book Description

From leading WorldCom engineers--expert guidance on how to plan for SIP implementation
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) has gained tremendous market acceptance since it became an official IETF Internet communications standard in 1999. SIP is the technology that makes it possible for multimedia communications sessions on the Web--ones that allow voice, video, chat, interactive games, and others to run all at the same time. Now that the deployment of real SIP networks is about to take off, two leaders of the commercial rollout deliver complete guidance on this exciting new technology. Geared to IT and networking professionals and decision-makers at Internet service providers (ISPs), as well as networking (NSPs) and application (ASPs) service providers, this book helps readers sort through the available vendor offerings and services to discover how to integrate and maximize SIP's power across their networks. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

here is the collected good info on SIP
our new shinning star SIP in IP Telephony , book is nearly perfect to demonstrate the capabilities of SIP , good to follow inlink RFCs .

An Updated Holistic view of SIP
A highly recommended book for newcomers to SIP as well as SIP experts. What I liked about the book was updated information on supplementary SIP technologies like PINT, SPIRITS, security et al. It has a very brief yet pertinent introduction to such areas. A very good companion to 'Understanding SIP'.

An Outstanding Book on SIP
I'll keep it short and sweet. I am one of the authors of SIP and
of many of its related technologies that are discussed in
this book. As such, I am frequently asked by people how they
can quickly understand the benefits of SIP technology, why
it is important to them, and what it can enable. The answer is
simple - read the Sinnreich/Johnston book. The book helps you
understand how SIP, its extensions, and related technologies
all fit together, and why SIP is revolutionizing communications.
This is a fabulous piece of work, written by two recognized
leaders. I highly recommend it.

Wonderful!
This book is wonderful because this is not a textbook for SIP protocol itsself but is a book representing what SIP being characterized and how different from other voip protocols and what we can do using SIP focusing to the INTERNET COMMUNICATION not just voice over IP nor video over IP. This book is very helpful when we systems engineers propose our customer what additional applocation services can be provided by the system using SIP.

Must Read -- This book explains the "why" of SIP services
I've been involved in the development of the SIP specification for several years, and currently co-chair the Internet Working Groups overseeing its continued evolution. I'm closely involved with the application of SIP to next-generation mobile phone networks. Between standards work and speaking on SIP frequently at trade shows and conferences I've seen a lot of SIP books and tried to explain SIP to many people. Most of the books on SIP cover the dry technical details of the specification and implementations. This book, "Internet Communications Using SIP" goes into an entirely different realm.

Henry Sinnreich and Alan Johnston are two of the most knowledgeable authorities and notable figures in the SIP world. I expected a lot from them them. They've greatly exceeded my expectations, doing a surprisingly good job of explaining WHY the SIP protocol works the way it does, WHAT sort of advanced services it is making possible, and HOW service providers can use it to enrich their business offerings.

This book is an absolute "must read" for anyone in the industry, especially for people familiar with traditional telephony who are trying to design, market, or implement new telecom services of any kind. If you haven't read this book and Gonzalo Camarillo's new SIP book, don't argue with the old-timers on the SIP mailing lists -- they're likely to just tell you to "RTFB" . . . and this is one of the books they're referring to. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

This is pretty good!
I bought this study guide to help me in my geology class. It isn't the same edition as my textbook but it is still the same. The chapters are the same and it has really helped me remember the material. The pages have fill in the blank and multiple choice and practice quizzes. All the answers are at the end of the book. I recomend this for anyone who is taking geology and is using the "Earth" book.

An outstanding introductory textbook in physical geology
Despite the proliferation of introductory physical geology textbooks in recent years, none have surpassed the quality of Tarbuck and Lutgens' "Earth". The text is accurate, up-to-date, well-organized, and exceptionally lucid. The writing flows nicely and presents complex topics and ideas in a way that is easy for non-scientists to understand, while at the same time resisting the trend toward "dumbing-down" that has recently affected many introductory textbooks in Earth sciences. The book is also illustrated wonderfully with diagrams that are effectively designed, beautifully executed, and perfectly matched to the accompanying text. The photographs are likewise outstanding in subject and quality, with great efforts obviously having been made to find excellent pictures that complement the text and clearly illustrate the features and processes being described. The overall quality of the photographs is far better than in most other textbooks of this kind. Substantial improvements have been made for the sixth edition, including the addition of helpful illustrations to the glossary and the addition of many new photographs throughout the book (for example, compare the 5th and 6th edition pictures of drumlins, moraines, igneous rock textures, tsunamis, sinkholes, etc.). After examining many textbooks, I have decided to use this one in the undergraduate course I will teach next year.

Earth - an average introductory textbook
This book has dozens of errors, but in its defense, I must say that every introductory textbook I've used or reviewed has similar errors. For example, thermal expansion due to daily temperature fluctuations does NOT fracture rocks. Fire fractures rocks, and local fires can occur in many deserts. The photo of a rock split is actually due to ice (not frost) wedging. Deserts can be freezing. The book does not address the importance of past climates. Most of North America's landforms were formed under wet, warm climates, not today's. The hydrologic cycle should be expanded to the geohydrologic cycle, which incorporates plate tectonics. Plate tectonics, as presented, is rather primitive. We're in, I'd say, 3rd generation plate tectonics, but it is not being taught. Mountain glacial landscapes are entirely misinterpreted, based on a false paradigm originating in the 1840s. Yosemite Valley is far more a relict tropical landscape than a glaciated one, and Bridalveil Falls has existed for 10s of millions of years before glaciation. Evolution of desert landscapes is equally as bad. The authors don't understand pediments, which are exhumed weathering fronts (as in Joshua Tree National Park) or exhumed detachments (as in the Mojave Desert). Etc., etc.

Lots of fun for rocks!
This book is an excellent introductory text, with a wide scoop and a clear and descriptive style. The pictures are gorgeous and informative, and the side notes (Boxes) are powerful examples of the topics being discussed, as well as fascinating sources of trivia (do you know what Bingham Canyon is?) that add flavor to the book! My only complaint was that there are no chapter summaries, but as the material was clear and concise, I had no need for them! ... Read more

Book Description

Everything needed to understand Estimating is provided in this proven handbook, which combines coverage of principles with step-by-step procedures. The authors use the popular approach of tracing a complete project's progress throughout the book.Incorporates the use of computers as a key estimating tool. Includes a WinEstimator CD with each copy of the book; readers will develop good computer-based estimating skills through the use of this powerful software, which also includes practice spreadsheets. Keeps readers up to date on the latest methods and materials. Includes a revised and updated illustration program. Provides complete, book-long case studies for follow-through of both commercial and residential buildings. Examines the interrelationship between contract documentsand the quantity take-off of material.The ideal reference for construction managers, architects, and engineers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

More Project than I thought possible
I picked this up as I was in the middle of several complex Project plans for network upgrades and migrations, as well as a mass rollout of Office 2003. I'd used previous versions of Project before but never really learned how to use it.

By the time I finished the first 10 chapters, I had already tripled my Project knowledge...and the really cool stuff was yet to come. Project, like Visio, is an extremely complex application that most people never crack the surface as far as usability goes. Anyone who is doing heavy Project Management needs to use Project, this is the book to learn by.

Answers to effectively manage computerized office projects
Tim Pyron's Special Edition Using Microsoft Office Project 2003 is enhanced with an accompanying CD and provides direct answers to effectively manage computerized office projects. Highly recommended both as an instructional guide and as a continuing reference, Special Edition Using Microsoft Office Project 2003 includes answers on project development and implementation, as well as tracking progress and adjusting to changes, developing final reports, and more. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent How-To Guide
I have been looking long and hard for a simple, step-by-step guide to implementing Lean methodologies in my facility and I have finally found it. Most of the Lean books I've seen up to this point discuss high-level concepts, without detailing the steps and tools needed to put the strategy into practice. However, this book (more of a "how-to" manual, really) outlines all the tasks needed to move from a traditional batch manufacturing system to a Lean environment.

It covers everything from project scoping to line design to Kanban materials movement systems. Not only that, the author provides all the tools (formulas, charts, project management tips, etc.) to guide you through the process. He's also provided methods, like the daily resource planning tool, that help you manage the line after the Lean processes are up and running.

I'm using the guide now for my line reconfiguration, and have gotten it for everyone on my implementation team. This book is good for any manufacturer that is planning to implement Lean, but doesn't have a plan for how to go about it.

Highly recommended!

Finally! A Pragmatic Approach to Lean Manufacturing!
This is the first book that I have read on Lean Manufacturing that was not a reflection of the author's ego masquerading behind a plethora of platitudes and hedonism. Mr. Hobbs uses a lexicon of terms and applications anybody can understand, making this not only a useful implementation tool, but also a dynamic resource and training tool. As proof, we assembled an implementation team of personnel from all areas of our factory, and were successful in converting two of our product lines in less than twelve weeks simply by following Mr. Hobbs' book. We plan on completing the other seven by the end of Q2. If you want to reap the rewards and benefits as a Lean Manufacturer, I highly recommend this book!

A highly recommended "get-things-done" guide
In Lean Manufacturing Implementation: A Complete Execution Manual For Any Size Manufacturer, business consultant Dennis P. Hobbs draws upon his more than thirty years of experience in the manufacturing sector to present a no-nonsense, go-getter business guide offering a project management approach guided by a "how-to" sequence in order to make manufacturing processes lean and efficient. Emphasizing how to make a factory conversion to "Lean Manufacturing" without hiring expensive consultants -- as well as offering practical information concerning resource identification, line design, operational definition, pull chains, pull sequences, replenishment time and more, Lean Manufacturing Implementation is a highly recommended "get-things-done" guide that specifically focuses upon what is needed and necessary to get results. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Very Very good service
I got the book within less than 5 business days... and in a very very good condition as advertised.
This book seller is really very reliable.
Thank you.
Saylee.

Well written and very practical
I've been a Test Engineer for 13 years and take it from me, this book is so close to real life situation. It obviously written by people who practice the art of Test Engineering. I wish that I had this book in my very 1st year. This is the bible for every TE.

A truly practical book
Most texts on testing seem to be written for the design engineer. They talk a lot about the fault model, the doping process, how the pattern generation algorithms are not perfect...It's like teaching Chemistry at a cooking class.
But don't get me wrong, this is not a cookbook. It does teach a fair amount of "Chemistry". But it's able to show the reader why the theories are relevant and how to apply them. The solutions are presented in the context of the problems, not the other way around, like most text books.

best book on the matket for mixed signal test
I looked for a book which covers all the important issues for
mixed signal test. This book delivers all the nesessery information for a mixed signal test Eng. It explains all
issues very simple and because of so many example it is
very useful even for not-experienced people.

A Comprehensive Handbook for Test Engineers
This is the most complete and authoritative text on the subject of Mixed Signal Testing that I have come across. It is unmatched in terms of the sheer number and variety of practical problems that it addresses. The solutions that the book proposes can be readily applied to many situations and that makes this truly remarkable book a must for every test or product engineer. ... Read more

Book Description

This book's practical, well illustrated, step-by-step explanations of procedures have successfully trained users for 60 years, and continue to appeal to today's visually oriented users.This book offers the best coverage of basic graphics principles and an unmatched set of fully machinable working drawings.For professions that utilize the skills of engineering graphics/technical drawing and drafting/technical sketching. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One of the best sources available
This book is loaded with technical information for the dratsman and designer. A must have for anyone who is in the mechanical technology field.

One of the best text books ever written...
This text was the basic drafting manual that I used during my technical education; its use did not end with school, however, since I refer to it frequently in my occupation. It tells everything that needs to be explained and described in the general drawing problems that might be encountered in industrial practice. It contains excellent descriptions and illustrations for: Drawing Threads, Fasteners & Springs Geometric Constructions Clear, Concise instructions in using Drafting Instruments, (before the time of Computer Aided Drafting & Desing, in any case). An Excellent overview of the Industrial Design & Development Process, (which I wish my supervisors would read). Sectional Drawing. This book is to drafting what Machinery's Handbook, of the Industrial Press, is to the metal working industries. There are a variety of Drafting Textbooks available, but none are incrementally better, let alone drasticaly better. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

A "Swiss Army Knife" of reference books
How did I live without this book? This book has everything I ever wanted X10. R values? Temperature and wind chill conversions? World wide area codes and airport codes? Wood screw specs? Friction loss in pipe? Mohr's hardness scales? Credit card 800 #s? I mean it's ALL here! I buy these to give them away!

My other Lil' Black book.
First there was sliced bread, then there was "The Pocket Ref". I found it such a great reference book that I ordered 6 of them for my associates. It is 100 pounds of information in a 13 oz. package. There has not been a day since I have received it that I have not used it for something (conversions of all types, geometric formulas long forgotten, constants, material information from glues to the mass of Neptune...yeh Neptune!, and yes...bolt torque specifications). One draw back is that everyone that does not have "The Ref" comes to you for the answers. It is a cornucopia of information that every engineer will surely benefit from having.

Let us see more of this kind
At the time when most publishers go racing on how fat a book can they make (someone ought to start suing for strain injuries :-), this gem brings the light back to our hands. It shows that is is possible to pack enormous ammount of information, and even use quite a lot of pages, and still retain all qualities of the small and light format.

Imagine the wonder of O'Reilly redesigning and publishing a few Nurshell books in this format, or CRC converting a few math and science references, or the ex-Wrox XSLT Programmer's Reference seeing the new printing ... I'm sure everyone who bought this book would have at least one more to add to this list.

Only lacking one thing....
I love this book and it would have gotten a perfect review, however it failed to tell me the meaning of life. Such an oversight shoulld not be forgiven...

Every man should have one
If you are a man, you must order one or we will take your man licence away! If you are a lady and have no idea what to get your man, this is it!

This book has everything you could possibly imagine and some things you didn't know existed. ... Read more

Book Description

The CMOS technology area has quickly grown, calling for a new text--and here it is, covering the analysis and design of CMOS integrated circuits that practicing engineers need to master to succeed. Filled with many examples and chapter-ending problems, the book not only describes the thought process behind each circuit topology, but also considers the rationale behind each modification. The analysis and design techniques focus on CMOS circuits but also apply to other IC technologies. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Excellent book with a broad coverage of material!
This is an excellent book that provides a fresh look at CMOS Analog Circuit Design. Behzad Razavi has a clear writing style that takes the reader from an intuitive level of understanding circuit performance to a mathematical explantion based on this understanding. This text also covers most areas of modern Analog CMOS design including all variations of modern op amps, switched capacitor circuits, feedback, noise analysis, frequency response, stability and compensation, as well as oscillators and PLLs. The material is covered in context of modern sub-micron processes and includes coverage of short-channel effects in these technologies. I have found answers in this book to many of the questions I have come across recently. In particular, Dr. Razavi uses the examples in the book to characterize various circuit performance metrics for typical circuit configurations using a symbolic approach. This results in an expression that highlights which circuit/device parameters contribute to the particular performance metric under study.

Not for beginners/students
If you're learning this material for the first time, your best bet would be to look elsewhere. I'm taking a course in analog CMOS design after completing an introductory course in electronic devices. I can refer to the Razavi book and actually find it to be quite useful. In fact, it seems better than the book we're using for the class, (CMOS design by Allen)

But when I first bought this book, which was required for the introductory class, it was not helpful at all. The material was too brief, examples too difficult and not explained in detail, problems were too long and onerous so that you completely lose sight of what you're supposed to get a grasp on. An absolute disaster if you're trying to learn this stuff. That's why it sat on my shelf for the whole semester. But for the advanced class, this book seems to pick up right after the introductory course. Definitely not for the novice reader, and it covers the advanced topics that you don't see when you first learn this stuff. Razavi's writing style and presentation is pretty good too.

Everyone loves it
I've seen one or two other books on analog design, and this is the best. In fact, almost everyone I know (who does analog design) loves the book. Very good information, well explained, good examples. I wish more books were like this.

Excellent teaching method
I always had trouble developing an intuitive understanding of CMOS but this book works like a wonder potion. It not only gives you solid understanding but also makes you a guru in design. While discussing devices, circuits and various topologies, the author makes worthy comments about what would happen if device sizes were changed or the current derive changes etc. Overall, I think it can be both an excellent reference book as well as a text book for advanced classes.

A book for designers not students
This is an excellent book for designers who understand the basics
of CMOS devices and want to improve their design skills. Very practical and strait to the point Students who try to use it as a starting book for CMOS will have a hard time following the thought process. A great reference and a must have in any ANALOG DSIGNER's library. ... Read more

Book Description

This expanded edition of Environmental Health and Safety Audits brings you up-to-date on changes in EPA and OSHA auditing policies, issues currently confronting auditing programs, and state-of-the-art strategies for managing and conducting audits. The author discusses new developments in information generation and availability, including new chapters on meeting ISO 14000 auditing guidelines, auditing dilemmas, and auditing tips, and new tools for building a successful audit program, including seven model program stages. ... Read more

Book Description

Advance praise for Developing Products in Half the Time Second Edition New Rules, New Tools Preston G. Smith • Donald G. Reinertsen "This is an exceptional book! Get a new highlighter before you start. There are so many ‘ah ha’s’ in each chapter you will never make it through with an old one." Don LaCombe, Ford Motor Company, Product Development Process Leadership "An excellent book with a strong treatment of the cycle-time consequences of overloading your development capacity. It provides powerful and practical concepts for dealing with this issue." Andrew Aquart, Director Product Development, Cordis, a Johnson & Johnson Company "This is practical, useful stuff for people competing in highly competitive fast moving business." Dr. Paul Borrill, Chief Scientist, Sun Microsystems "3M has absorbed many of the tools from the original edition, and this new one will be even more useful. The topic of incremental innovation is crucial to us, and I really appreciate its balanced treatment." Ronald H. Kubinski, Manager New Product Commercialization Services, 3M Company "As the authors correctly point out, the Fuzzy Front End is the least expensive place to reduce cycle time. This book is one of the only sources of concepts, methods, and metrics for compressing this critical portion of the development process." David M. Lewis, Product Manager, Eastman Kodak Co. "Using these tools we’ve more than cut our time to market in half. The new edition of this classic crystallizes the synergy of the fast-to-market techniques, and the icons in the margins highlight the opportunities and pitfalls." Mike Brennan , Vice President of Product Development, Black & Decker ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent must-read for senior managers
I found that this book was packed full of common sense, which is rare in a development management book. Although it has a lot of examples of manufacturing of phsyical goods, I found it great as a software manager. There aren't many spare words in this book, either -- it's terse and well edited, so you get the raw facts and the necessary stories to back them up, but not a lot (or any, really) fluff.

I am putting it on my bookshelf for software engineers, right next to Writing Solid Code and Debugging the Development Process, two classics for software engineers and team leads, respectively.

Buy and Read
Absolutely the best book there is on the subject of new product development. Of particular import is the discussion on market and pricing dynamics, which may be new to technical-types. Choosing the right product to develop is critical to avoid "The Innovators Dilemma". The book however needs to add more to the discussion of the importance (and risk) of rapid return of (partial) information to the team during the development cycle, as well as human (team) dynamics. I would therefore recommend "The Team Handbook" as a necessary adjunct.

very sophisticated tools for real life product development
While the first edition was a bit dry to read in the first four chapters, the second edition is more fun. The value of the content has not been reduced with rev 2.0, on the contrary.

The book is full of sound business theory which is well explained and put into real life context to help the non-MBA to transfer the message to their respective challenges.

Also invaluable are the hints towards common pitfalls. They show that the authors have really applied the theory and are aware of the human factor in change processes.

I read rev 1.0 and 2.0 and will probably buy 3.0 as well.

Keep going!

Great Reading for Software Managers
Over 14 years of software experience confirmed alot of what this book offered. It's well written, chalked full of great facts and gives you a perspective on the possibilities for software development. Let's face-it, software development has almost zero manufacturing issues. So, if your looking for the real reason to implement processes and methodolgies into your development processes, this book will take you there.

This is a must-read book for all development managers
This is a treatise on management techniques, not process improvement. The first two chapters detail the decision of which projects to speed up, implying that a manager can only speed up a project by overstaffing it and clearing its path of the usual bureaucracy. Therefore, there is no permanent process gain to be had. But it is a great guide for decision makers looking to cut some time off any (or every) project. The fundamental tenets are these:

1) Make the decision to develop a new product idea quickly.

2) Staff all functions to the project immediately and keep them on throughout (no ramp-up, no handoffs)

3) Specify it simply and quickly and do not change the spec (3 days, 3 pages).

4) Spend a little time on the product architecture, designing for modularity and quick development.

5) User overlapping development techniques (work on multiple modules simultaneously)

6) Make a successful transition to manufacturing to complete the project.

You can halve the development time of most projects just by changing the way you manage your projects, without doing a lot of overtime or increasing the cost of development. Many of the answers are in this book. Again, this is a must read book for all development managers. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The *real* General
After only reading a few pages of this book I could see that this Toyota has a lethal weapon in business that American companies seen not interested in using - or worse think that thay are using it just fine? Compare "TPS" with "My Years With General Motors" and imagaine who you would rather compete with? Demming said something like "export everything from America... except american management!" This book will show you why.
This book is not a "ISO" type blueprint in that it is a consise overview without much "filler" or stale requirements so don't worry if you donot get the big picture until you have read and maybe reread the book.
One note - I think that just maybe (if I can be so bold) that chapter 3 should be read first then the rest of the book. I also recomend other books (and web searches) on Kaizen by those who have done it for as long as Mr. Ohno.
I love this book!

A treasure to high management
I really enjoyed reading Mr. Ohno's book. Even though it is a short book, it is full of ideas that can be applied to any production bussiness.
Even though that the system was created for a car production facility, the concept of "waste" is useful to any type of manufacturing. This idea, coupled with the concept of producing exactly what is sold ( or what the client requests )allows any company to became profitable in times when profit margins get narrower and narrower.

The Essential Book on TPS
I am a former Toyota Engineer and recommend that anyone interested in learning about the Toyota Production System a.k.a. lean manufacturing this is the place to start. Mr. Ohno is the creator of TPS and he gives a very good overview of how the system works. The book is very easy to read and easy to understand. This book should be read by all upper management employees looking to create a lean environment in their plants. The book will give you a good foundation to start implementing the techniques. It is the best book to read considering it comes from the inventor himself. It is the best you are going to find shy of being actually trained within Toyota's walls.

Difficult material covered simply
This is a short book and as such gets to the point. Explains difficult concepts in a simple way. This book explains how JIT, Kanban, Zero Defects came about. Also shows what is missing from American JIT and that is production leveling.

Excellent explanation of principles of Just In Time Mfg.
Mr. Ohno is the father of Toyota's just in time production system, also called lean manufacturing, though it is more than just that. The book gives an excellent primer on the basic principles of JIT, work-flow, leveling, waste minimization, etc. He also covers the history and application of these philosophies at Toyota. The book is a surprisingly good read, and Mr. Ohno's dynamic and engaging personality shows through. A must read for MBA students, persons in manufacturing or occupations where time is money. ... Read more

Book Description

The best in heating, cooling, and refrigeration just got better!This time-honored best seller has been updated and revised to provide superior hands-on information needed to successfully maintain and troubleshoot todays complex heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.It fosters a solid foundation and understanding of environmental problems and their solutions, and displays a depth and detail of theory, diagnostics, and repair procedures that make this a fitting book for basic HVAC-R education as well as upgrading and certification training for technicians in the field.The fifth Edition includes information on typical operating conditions, and offers ample systematic troubleshooting techniques and scenarios with an eye to improving readers skills.This book has been developed around the National Skill Standards for HVAC-R technicians as funded by the U.S. Department of Education, and contains easy-to-understand language for grasping fundamental and advanced concepts in the HVAC-R field. ... Read more

Book Description

Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, 6/e, presents comprehensive coverage of the subject of thermodynamics from a chemical engineering viewpoint. The text provides a thorough exposition of the principles of thermodynamics and details their application to chemical processes.The chapters are written in a clear, logically organized manner, and contain an abundance of realistic problems, examples, and illustrations to help students understand complex concepts.New ideas, terms, and symbols constantly challenge the readers to think and encourage them to apply this fundamental body of knowledge to the solution of practical problems.

The comprehensive nature of this book makes it a useful reference both in graduate courses and for professional practice. The sixth edition continues to be an excellent tool for teaching the subject of chemical engineering thermodynamics to undergraduate students. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Useless
Ok, so i am a chemical engineering student, and this is supposed to be the textbook. Which allegedly would later on make it a forced reference for a student. However, the only useful information is the steam tables, because the properties and other things are insufficient, trust me, the book has sitted on my shelf unused for a year and a half. I have not sold it because no one here would buy it. The explanations are poor. If you want to know about thermodynamics, this is really not your book, I would rather recommend a Fisicochemistry book.

As for properties tables and the such, well, the information you are really going to use is all summed up in the Chemical Engineer's Handbook, which is a must for any ChE, even if you're just a student (believe me, it has saved me a lot of times).

Old, outdated classic cant compete with modern thermo books!
Although the book is totally introductory, it does *not* serve well to teach you something. Contents, concepts, structure, didactics, writing style and layout are more than obsolete: this text is the worst US-textbook on thermo ever (engineering thermo/chemical thermo/chemical engineering thermo), believe me! If you do not share my opinion, then it must be due to your absolute ignorance regarding this field or your pretended incompetence. This book is neither worth buying, owning, working with, nor looking at. Do not waste your time with this superficial and totally introductory, conveying-nothing text. The reason why this has been a best-seller from the late 1940's to the late 1980's (four decades!) is its age: it has been the *very* first, (c)1949, and thus, the most well-known, popular book on chem eng thermo. 'The eldest' is always being respected the most ("a classic"), but this does not mean that a best-selling classic is the best. Forget this outdated title of the (outdated?) McGraw-Hill Chemical Engineering Series and profit from the new fresh look and uptodate, modern approach taken by competitive book series (Wiley, Prentice Hall, Wiley-Interscience, and...McGraw-Hill ;). Smith's 6th edition book is an incredibly poor monograph! And by the way, it is rather a treatment of Engineering Thermodynamics than a treatment of Chemical (Engineering) Thermodynamics!! Since this obsolete classic cannot compete with the new titles, I give a 2-stars rating only. 50 years ago, Smith was the de facto standard intro text (and it remains an "Introducation" throughout the 800 pages!), now this has changed.
Please also read my pos reviews of thermo books by Stanley I. Sandler 1999 (for advanced learners), Noel de Nevers 2002 (for beginners), and Stanley M. Walas 1985 (for workers). For a complete listing of relevant thermo titles have a look at table 8-1, pages 8.2-8.4, in Poling/Prausnitz/O'Connell 5th ed. c2001.

It's complete, easy to read and comprehensive
This book is written specifically for chemical engineers.It covers topics such as EOS for non-ideal multicomponent mixtures, chemical reaction thermodynamics and thermodynamics of solutions. I suggest it to everyone who have trouble with this course.

Poorly edited out of date
They just keep adding to this book without removing or editing old material. The book has become a chaotic jumble of ideas of the various authors. There are other better books out there.

ok book
Well, I think this book is very informative. Unfortunately it is very boring. But, that just goes with the subj. matter. The one thing that is extremely annoying is the unit conversions table. I think that it could had been placed at a more convinient location (inner front cover) instead of being on pg.651/789. On that note, I'd recomment photocopying the u.c.table when working on the problems. An introductory book to get you started is: Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes (richard m. felder). Great book! ... Read more

Book Description

Contemporary and well written, this book serves as a good desk reference for business professionals who need to know about information systems.Chapter topics include database management, telecommunications, electronic commerce, information system ethics, security, and more.For systems analysts or general business professionals who need to know about information systems. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Rip off
All textbooks over $50 are a rip off, WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR STATE SENATOR TELLING THEM YOU WON'T STAND FOR THESE OUTRAGEOUS PRICES ON TEXTBOOKS FOR SCHOOL. MOST STUDENTS CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THESE RIDICULOUS PRICES!!! WE CAN BEAT THE ENDLESS NEW EDITION CYCLES, AND HIGH COST FOR THIN BOOKS (in this case), THAT PUBLISHERS RIP US OFF WITH IF WE MAKE IT KNOWN!! WE CAN'T AND WON'T STAND FOR THIS! ... Read more

Book Description

2,501 mechanisms and mechanical devices – at your fingertips!

A one-of-a-kind pictorial directory, Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, Third Edition, gives you drawings and descriptions of time-tested components, mechanisms, and devices. A carefully compiled index lets you quickly find a specific component which may very well be the exact problem-solving answer you’ve been seeking. You can count on this guide to help you:

* Recycle successful mechanical inventions into new products, with or without modifications
* Design basic mechanisms from scratch with a chapter of tutorial text and formulas
* Save time researching patents
* Get a refresher on the design and function of bearings, belts, brakes, clutches, couplings, cranks, feeders, gears, genevas, joints, latches, linkages, pumps, screws, springs, and switches
Stay on top of present and future trends in mechanical engineering and machine design, with up-to-date treatments of motion control systems; 2D and 3D CAD software; industrial robots and rapid prototyping (RP) systems; recent research and spinoffs of MEMS technology ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Inspiration for R&D
An engineer friend of mine showed me this book and the next day I bought one for myself. Any time I'm faced with a design problem this is the first place I look. The illustrations are very well done and the text descriptions are illuminating and worthwhile reading.

Cheers to Sclater and Chironis!

Informative and fun
this book is for the person who likes to fool around in the workshop inventing things. I like to do that as often as I can and this book has really boosted my productivity in the shop. Before I start on a new project I like to scan the book again and see if I can use any of the ideas. I never fail to find something I can use. The drawings are a big help in understanding the devices. There is no other book like this. It is a gathering of all the neat gadgets all in one book.

Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook
Detailed graphical and pictorial images of many different mechanisms grouped in catagories for easy searching. When your stuck on a mechanical design, this book can be a great help.

*Excellent* reference source book for brainstorming
I used this book frequently in an undergraduate mechanical engineering design curriculum. Many of the images are self explanitory, and often provide a solution to a mechanism problem at hand. A must for every mechanical design engineer! ... Read more