Reviews (15)

Better than Roark's Formulas for stress & strain.
This book has a lot of information most of which is useless calculus integration with vary brief summery which seems to me being derived from other books just thrown into the mix with general categories. The book is basically an oversized machinery's handbook but with a poorly written index and with a lot of inapt formulas that don't have a explanation for formula variables used in the equation. If you do a lot of strength of material design I would suggest a machinery's hand book, or the McGraw Hill Mechanical Engineering Design book which is an excellent P.E. exam reference book. Stay away from the Roarks Formulas for stress & strain book its more poorly written then the Marks.

Marks' Handbook is a winner!
This book is an excellent general reference on a number of areas of science, engineering, and technology. I often refer to it first when searching for information on an unfamiliar subject. Most mechanical engineers working in design, manufacturing, and construction would benefit by having a copy of this book in their personal library.

Mark's Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers
I have a slightly older copy and I have found that for the PE exam this is a good reference however, if you are doing something in the real world, the Machinery's Handbook is FAR better. This book gives good overviews of a huge variety of topics that any Mech Engr might need but not much depth. It is about as much information as a manager might want to know.

Mark's ME Handbook on CD
I was very disappointed in the CD version of Mark's Handbook. While I am a user of Mark's handbook for over 30 years, the CD version is not friendly. The ability to search for subjects is next to non-existent.

I asked to return the CD book and was told because in was opened (I broke the seal, of course, to inspect it), it was not returnable.

Be careful in buying CD books... there is a no return policy.

A Perfect Guide
I'm an advanced student of Mechanical Engineering, and I'm reading this manual, and is one of the best reference guide I ever had. The great quantity of topics is a great help.
So, if you want to have a guide with topics related with engeenering, the MARKS is what you need. ... Read more

Book Description

* Since 1913, the single source blockbuster for all essential information on designing, installing, operating, and maintaining electrical systems and equipment
* Includes advancements in fiber optic cables, grounding, arc-fault circuit interrupter devices, and transient voltage surge suppressors
* Complete with the latest updates on National Electrical Code(R), National Safety Code, and NEMA motor and generator standards
* Features new information on high efficiency motors and electronic control of motors
* Provides the latest developments in circuit calculations, transformers, wiring tables, lamp applications tables, and more ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not a handbook
I would NOT recommend this book to any electrician, engineer, or architect. It is extremely difficult to comprehend. Gaining any practical information from this book is futile. I have had the twelfth edition over ten years. I used it to study for the electricians exam. I hated it then. Since that time, I have found it to be a very poor reference book. The thirteenth edition is no better. I understand why some electrician training schools might use this book - it is very comprehensive. It would make a good reference for a classroom lesson plan, but not a direct teaching tool. If you want to learn the material in this book, get the National Electric Code Handbook (and related materials published by the NFPA) and appropriate textbooks. FYI - I am a licensed electrician and a registered professional engineer.

A patchwork monster
Another motley McGraw-Hill product. First copyrighted in 1913. The author appears to have died prior to 1976, and the book has been maintained by hired help. Don't try to use this as a textbook; treat it as a reference only. You never really know whether some item is up to date or 50 or 80 years old. Examples: There is a lot of treatment of two-phase (yup, 90 degrees) power, including at 25 hertz, and of multi-kilovolt series incandescent streetlighting, plus knob and tube wiring. Also, it is stated that the highest radio frequency in use is 30 megahertz, whereas in reality we're up to 1,000 or 2,000 times that just now. This book is a curiousity; charming if you have the cash, but if you don't, maybe you should be getting something more coherent.

A Must For Every Serious or Professional Electrician
W A R N I N G: This book is not for the weekend repairman!!!

This is a very intense book for the professionals or for someone who would like to further their knowledge. This truely might be the last book an electrican will ever buy. A must for your library!

An Electrician's Life-saver
I originally purchased this book on the recommendation of another electician. Many electrician training schools use this same book to teach their students. I found it to be easy to comprehend, and to be a wealth of information that has helped me enormously in my work, and to prepare for Electrician's exams. I would recommend this to any electrician (Apprentice, Journeyman, etc. I have used and abused mine so much, that it's time for me to purchase another copy - that's how useful a tool it is. ... Read more

Book Description

Produced in association with the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, the Encyclopedia of Radio includes more than 600 entries covering major countries and regions of the world as well as specific programs and people, networks and organizations, regulation and policies, audience research, and radio's technology. This encyclopedic work will be the first broadly conceived reference source on a medium that is now nearly eighty years old, with essays that provide essential information on the subject as well as comment on the significance of the particular person, organization, or topic being examined.

The fully illustrated Encyclopedia of Radio includes suggestions for further reading as complements to most of the articles, biographical details for all person-entries, production credits for programs, and a comprehensive index.

Entries include: * Amos 'n' Andy * Audience Research Methods * BBC * Benny, Jack * Black Radio Networks * Car Talk * CBC * Children's Programs ** Crosby, Bing * Digital Audio Broadcasting * Election Coverage * Frequency Allocation * Fresh Air * Hertz, Heinrich * Hoaxes on Radio * Jamming * Keillor, Garrison * Lone Ranger * Native American Radio * Pacifica Stations * Public Radio * Radio Free Asia * Receivers * Shock Jocks * Sports on Radio * Stern, Howard * Syndication * Talk Radio * Telecommunications Act of 1996 * The Goon Show * Tokyo Rose * Underground Radio * WNYC * Wolfman Jack * And many more. ... 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

Campbell outlines a blueprint for a world class maintenanceprogram by examining, piece by piece, its essential elements -leadership (strategy and management), control (data management,measures, tactics, planning and scheduling), continuous improvement(RCM and TPM), and quantum leaps (process reengineering). He explainseach element in detail, using simple language and practical examplesfrom a wide range of industries. This book is for every manager whoneeds to see the "big picture" of maintenance management. In additionto maintenance, engineering, and manufacturing managers, all businessmanagers will benefit from this comprehensive and realistic approach toimproving asset performance. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Uptime is tops for understanding Maintenance Management.
A must read for anyone in or about to enter the vast realm of Maintenance Management. John Campbell takes you through the strategies with easy to understand terms and concepts. All the buzz words are there TPM, RCM, CMMS, .. etc.

If you need a maintenance big picture, it is the book
This book is a very good introduction in order to know what the maintenance meaning ... Read more

Book Description

A revision of the classic reference covering all important principles and techniques needed by practicing civil engineers.The 5th Edition incorporates changes in design and construction practices, especially in design specifications for construction materials, buildings and bridges, safety and health concerns, and the most current codes changes including ACI, AISC, ASTM, NDS for wood structures, etc.The Handbook covers systems design, community and regional planning, the latest design methods for buildings, airports, highways, tunnels and bridges.It includes sections on construction equipment, construction management, materials, specifications, structural theory, geotechnical engineering, wood, concrete, steel design and construction. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Still the best Civil Handbook
The fifth edition update mainly reflects changes in code requirements for structural engineering. Other sections seem barely changed from the fourth edition. The water resources chapter has several misprinted tables. Use the corresponding tables out of the fourth edition.

Generalle well-written and easy to follow. Useful as a supplemental study reference for the Civil PE Exam.

Could use a good bibliography.

Great Review/Reference Book
I'm a senior in CE this year and I have been using the 2nd edition of this book (1976) more or less daily as I work on my senior design projects. Not really in depth on any one subject, but its great if you just need to look up a formula or technique that you forgot from some class. I plan to ask for the new edition as a graduation present.

A civil engineer's review - this book is a good buy
The Standard Handbook for Civil Engineers is a comprehensive single volume book. This book is divided into 23 sections covering entire gamut of civil engineering. In first few chapters it deals with design management, specifications etc. These chapters are quite informative. It also describes various construction materials in a lucid form. But the chapter on structural theory should have more elaborately presented. Many aspects of advanced structures such as plate, shell etc. are not discussed. Finite element method is almost untouched. This book does not contain too many numerical examples. Rather it tells you how to take decision. For example, it tells you how to choose structural system for multistory building, but does not tell how to analyze the same. Geo-technical engineering section is also little bit concise. Concrete design section is good but a number of worked out problems would have made it better. Same goes for steel design section. Surveying was featured in very lackadaisically. Building engineering section is well written with very good general descriptions. Transportation, water resource and environment parts are also well covered. Coastal engineering is just touched. In overall this book is a good buy. But this book won't be much useful to all because it is written only in American code. What I dislike most about this book is that it is not written in metric units. ... Read more

Book Description

The invention of the laser was one of the towering achievements of the twentieth century. At the opening of the twenty-first century we are witnessing the burgeoning of the myriad technical innovations to which that invention has led. The first of the three volumes comprises an introduction to the basic scientific principles of lasers, laser beams and non-linear optics. The second volume describes the mechanisms and operating characteristics of specific types of laser including crystalline solid - state lasers, semiconductor diode lasers, fibre lasers, gas lasers, chemical lasers, dye lasers and many others as well as detailing the optical and electronic components which tailor the laser's performance and beam delivery systems. The third volume is devoted to case studies of applications in a wide range of subjects including materials processing, optical measurement techniques, medicine, telecommunications, data storage, spectroscopy, earth sciences and astronomy, and plasma fusion research.

This vast compendium of knowledge on laser science and technology is the work of over 130 international experts, many of whom are recognised as the world leaders in their respective fields.. Whether the reader is engaged in the science, technology, industrial or medical applications of lasers or is researching the subject as a manager or investor in technical enterprises they cannot fail to be informed and enlightened by the wide range of information the Handbook supplies. ... Read more

Book Description

The Fifteenth Edition of this trusted resource is completely updated to the 2005 National Electrical Code®, and provides aspiring electricians the necessary foundation for learning all aspects of house wiring in order to meet Code.The most comprehensive book of its kind on the market, Electrical Wiring Residential walks readers, room by room, through the proper wiring of a typical new residence, and features a complete set of full size plans and specifications that shows how Code requirements are applied throughout actual installations. This book explains and follows the NEC® using the metric system, and presents an ample quantity of electrical formulas that electricians need to know to be successful and competent on-the-job. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Essential reading from a wise author for do-it-yourself'ers
Don't sell yourself or family short, get this or another comparable book if you are going to tackle electrical work in your home.

This book is somewhat technical and that may put some folks off. However, it is only as technical as is needed to provide for safe installation of electrical wiring in the home. I appreciate the code references, as a do-it-yourself'er it is important to understand why it is done as it is, because no home project is ever an exact copy of problem in a book. This book is an essential part of a do-it-yourself'ers library, especially if you are going to take on any substantial projects.

Used 1993, 1996, and 1999 versions of this book.
I have wired four new homes and remodeled one using the concepts in this book. The homes ranged from 3200 to 5000 square feet in size. The 5000 sq/ft house used 400 amp service for the main panels. I am a do it yourself homeowner. I am a firmware engineer by trade so I don't wire for a living. This book was magnificent in helping me understand how to put the entire picture together for a large complicated home. These homes included security systems, phone systems, home audio systems, internet wiring, and of course power and lighting everywhere that I needed it. I learned so much from this book and the way that it walks through each room in the house. I recommend following it all of the way through on your own house plans. What it lacks I was able to find by looking at homes being constructed in the area. Things like how high up do I put the outlets and switches comes to mind. The code changes every three years and so does this book. I got most of my knowledge from the 1993 book. I used the 1996 and 1999 books on the later homes but the basics were already there. All code changes are very well covered in the latest edition and nothing is dropped from edition to edition that I know of. I am very impressed with Mullin's style and thought that I could show some of my gratitude back for the help that he gave me to do this over and over again. I have recommended this book to many friends who have also wired their own homes. If I needed to I would buy it again but I have decided to live in one of my houses for a while. What I believe this book has that others do not is a grasp of the whole picture. I was able to do the entire project each time with this book. I installed the service conductors from the transformer to the house. I built up the main breaker panels and subpanels. I performed the load calculations to make sure that all circuits were properly balanced. I don't think that many of the other wiring books cover all of these things. You can perform the entire wiring of your residential home by yourself with the knowledge that you can glean from this book and a few questions asked of your local inspectors and examining the work of electricians wiring in your area. Make sure that you follow the code and not the local electricians though because I do not know how some of them pass inspections with some of the work that they do. Good luck on your project.
Thanks Ray for a great book.

The best I have tried.
This book is my electrical bible. I tried several books before I found this one. I bought it when I was trying to rewire an old house. The first 2 books I bought left me dazed and confused. I finally spent an afternoon in the bookstore browsing through every electrical book I could find until I ran across this. What a find. It not only explains clearly what has to be done, but why. The book makes good use of tables to summarize information and excellent use of diagrams. It not only teaches you to wire correctly, but teaches you the code as well. Highly recommended.

If you don't know what a wirenut is, this may not be the book for you as it assumes some level of knowhow on the part of the reader. Otherwise, this is likely to be the last residential wiring book you will ever buy.

Dunwoody uses it -- you should too
I went to Dunwoody Institute, and their electrical department uses this as a textbook for future electricians. The biggest downside is it doesn't cover some of the low voltage/HVAC in the depth that it does everything else. It has constant code references, but it also explains things plainly enough that most people can understand them. It is a little expensive, but I would definately recomend it.

comprehensive, yet easy to understand
This is a highly detailed book that clearly describes how to wire a home that meets 2002 National Electrical code requirements. The book is nicely organized and contains a wealth of information on how to select proper wire and box sizes, locations for recepticles, lighting requirements, etc. However, it is not a "how to" book-it won't tell you how to fish a wire or change a circuit breaker. I used this book to completely rewire my 1950's kitchen and it took all the guesswork out of the project. Now every time I start an electrical project, I consult this book to make sure I do it correctly. One of my goals in life is to never have to call an electrcian for help again and this book has taken me a long way toward it. ... Read more

Book Description

The new, updated edition of the successful book on interior design
Interior Design Visual Presentation, Second Edition is fully revised to include the latest material on CAD, digital portfolios, resume preparation, and Web page design. It remains the only comprehensive guide to address the visual design and presentation needs of the interior designer, with coverage of design graphics, models, and presentation techniques in one complete volume.
Approaches to the planning, layout, and design of interior spaces are presented through highly visual, step-by-step instructions, supplemented with more than forty pages of full-color illustrations, exercises at the end of each chapter, and dozens of new projects. With the serious designer in mind, it includes a diverse range of sample work, from student designers as well as well-known design firms such as Ellerbee and Beckett Architects and MS Architects.
Maureen Mitton is Assistant Professor in the department of Art and Design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Book!
This book has a bit of everything I was looking for. techniques, lots of color renderings to review, shadowing techniques, etc. I am currently an interior design student and am using the book to help me with my color rendering and presentation techniques. In fact, my instructor reviewed the book and has requested the book be the textbook for the presentations class in our department next semester. This is the best book I've located so far.

Excellent Resource!
This book is great for everything visual! It is also the only book I've come across with detailed information about presentation boards. This is excellent for IND students!

Great resource for ID students
I just received this book and I wished I had had it for my first in-class presentation. I gives the reader "fresh" ideas and helpful information on organizing your boards. I would recommend this book to any Interior Design student.

using it in 3D studio class
just the book for beginning intr design students to use thru out their schooling. it covers everything they need to do all the presentations for thier courses. from drawing to models and most useful those sample boards. it tells you what tools to buy (with photos to help) and as basic as how to cut foam core. it has color step by step examples for color rendering. all in the same book is such a good value to the students

FANTASTIC ! Illustrations, Instructions, Explanations, Color
This book has all the needs and requirements on visual presentations and how to resolve fears,concerns, doubts and so on. It's the first book I have seen that covers many if not all aspects of Interior Design. It's a great book and I have been recommending it to all my fellow students. This book is informative, educational, and a good book to have in your reference library. I have been looking and looking for a book like this one for many years. Someone has finally gone and done it properly. You will not regreat buying this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Flavored coffees, fat free foods, ethnic cuisine, frozen gourmet dinners. What can be used to give these trendy foods the right flavor?FIND OUT IN FENAROLI'S HANDBOOK OF FLAVOR INGREDIENTS, FOURTH EDITION. A spike of consumer interest in natural products and exotic flavors has driven innovation among flavorists and compelled regulators to closely scrutinize new ingredients. Responding to all these concerns, Dr. Burdock has completely revised and updated Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients.MORE INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION, MORE SUBSTANCES, MORE SPECIFICATIONS…ALL IN ONE CONVENIENT VOLUME- With a new format and twice the information found in the third edition, it gives you easy access to synonyms, international codes, sensory information, permitted uses of ingredients, international regulations, and more. The handbook puts together the "wish lists" of food scientists, regulatory and safety officers, pharmacologists, and toxicologists to provide a one-stop source for both GRAS and non-GRAS flavoring substances. ... Read more

Book Description

Lea's Chemistry of Cement and Concrete deals with the chemical and physical properties of cements and concretes and their relation to the practical problems that arise in manufacture and use. As such it is addressed not only to the chemist and those concerned with the science and technology of silicate materials, but also to those interested in the use of concrete in building and civil engineering construction. Much attention is given to the suitability of materials, to the conditions under which concrete can excel and those where it may deteriorate and to the precautionary or remedial measures that can be adopted.

First published in 1935, this is the fourth edition and the first to appear since the death of Sir Frederick Lea, the original author. Over the life of the first three editions, this book has become the authority on its subject. The fourth edition is edited by Professor Peter C. Hewlett, Director of the British Board of Agrement and visiting Industrial Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Dundee. Professor Hewlett has brought together a distinguished body of international contributors to produce an edition which is a worthy successor to the previous editions. ... Read more

Book Description

For more than a quarter of a century, this amazingly comprehensive dictionary has been a standard international reference.Containing more than 115,000 terms and 125,000 definitions--from 100 areas of science and technology--this trusted resource provides definitions written in clear, simple language, understandable to the general reader, yet is consistent with the specialized use of the term.

THE NEW SIXTH EDITION:
* Thoroughly revised with 5,000 NEW TERMS
* Each term includes a helpful pronunciation guide
* Entries are complemented by 3,000 illustrations; appendices containing biographic listings, converison tables, taxonomic classification charts, and more
* The only dictionary of scientific and technical terms to be thumb-indexed

Invaluable to scientists, researchers, teachers, students, as well as interested lay persons, the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms is truly the single best way for anyone to gain fluency in the language of science. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Very helpful
The more I use this dictionary, the more I come to like it. It's handy to have a specific dictionary for scientific and technical terms, and I feel more complete with this by my side. The coverage is comprehensive, the layout is clean and easy to read, and the added illustrations are a nice touch.

I would also recommend the McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science & Technology as a nice supplement.

FAMOUS FOR ITS BROAD-SPECTRUM COVERAGE
The "McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms" is famous for its broad-spectrum coverage. Its soul is general science; and its audience is anybody who has any business with any science: biological, chemical, or physical. Whether you are a student, a teacher, or even a consultant, this unabridged lexicon lets you discover scientific terms, methods and applications in a very simple way. It is overflowing with references and definitions.
And, for the mobile professional, who may find it heavy to lug around, it is available on CD-ROM. The prices of both the text and its CD version are not out-of-reach. Either of the two is dependable.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms 6th
The dictionary, as I expected, is excellent. I can easily and directly grasp the clear concept of meanings without imaging in my mother tongue, Japanese. Each explanation with the technical field is very concise and accurate. I believe that the dictionary helps me to perfectly understand the target words, for translating from English to Japanese, equivalent to those of an educated English speaker. Then, this will automatically make my task much easier.
Hopefully, I will also be able to obtain CD-ROM, which can be installed in my computer, Windows ME/MS-Word, for accelerating my job.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms
The dictionary, as I expected, is excellent. I can easily and directly grasp the clear concept of meanings without imaging in my mother tongue, Japanese. Each explanation with the technical field is very concise and accurate. I believe that the dictionary helps me to perfectly understand the target words, during translating from English to Japanese, equivalent to that of an educated English speaker. Then, this will automatically make my task much easier. Hopefully, I also will be able to obtain CD-ROM, which can be installed in my computer, Windows ME/MS-Word, for accelerating my job.

Outstanding book
I bought this book because it was on sale! What a deal. Itnever occur to my mind that this book will become the first one I needwhen I encounter some difficulty understanding technical or scientificmaterials. Almost any definition related to science and technology inthis book. This excellent reference must have for any one working inthe field of science or engineering. It is very helpful especiallywhen you have to study new subjects in yours field of knowledgerequired by your job or for general studying. This book has the keysto unlock your mind for knowledge and understanding. I would pay fullprice for this book if I knew how useful and great is as I do now. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive revision of the famed pocked guide giving engineers, scientists and other specialists a wide range of technical and mathematical formulas in a handy format. Now including a new section on control engineering, this edition is updated throughout and includes 50 additional pages. This perennial best-seller puts engineering formulas most used on the job at the user's fingertips. Thoroughly practical and authoritative, it brings together in one source thousands of formulas and hundreds of diagrams to simplify all engineering and technical calculations. Comprehensive section cover: Units, Areas, Solid Bodies, Arithmetic, Functions of a Circle, Analytical Geometry, Statistics, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Differential Equations, Statics, Kinematics, Dynamics, Hydraulics, Heat, Strength, Machine Parts, Production Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Radiation Physics, Chemistry, Tables. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A classic
This is a wonderful and unique little book that packs a lot of information into a pocket-sized hardbound volume.

The construction of the book is of the highest quality, something that's rare in this age of disposable, fluff-filled, high-ego publishing. It feels good and it's very satisfying as a physical object. Definitely something you'll keep forever or pass down to someone else.

The content is quite dense and concise, exactly what you want in a portable work like this.

This little book belongs in the library (or the pocket) of anyone with an interest in engineering, and some of the mathematical sections have an even wider appeal.

G.

Still using 3rd edition
Many moons ago, I purchased the 3rd edition. I still use it today and my children use it as well. If the 7th edition is improved, then you can't go wrong purchasing this reference.

Useful for many fields and levels. It's quite good!
I bought this manual in high school (math, physics) and I have used it in the university (almost the whole manual) and even in the graduate school (for quick reference).

It is well organized, the concrete explanations are useful and you get you formula or data quickly, everywhere (easy to carry).

I bought another for my brother when he started studying engineering. I think it's indispensable.

Excellent Reference, though not comprehensive.
I carry this book with me everywhere, right along side my Palm Pilot!

I really wish that this book had a comprehensive list of physical constants. Sometimes when I am out at a bar with my friends, and one of us doesn't remember the value of (say) the permeability of free space, I could have that number ready-at-hand.

Otherwise, it is an excellent travel-size reference.

Ultimate formula reference book for the design engineer.
This book has almost every topic that a mechanical design engineer will encounter, and provides a thorough reference for all those pesky formulae that you have difficulty remembering ... Read more

Book Description

What is facilitation? Ironically, it's a difficult word that means "to make easy." When applied to businesses and organizations, facilitation means helping people work together in groups and teams to achieve their goals.

But wait, you're probably thinking there's nothing easy about that--and until now you've been right. Most existing texts on facilitation (and there are lots of them) are theoretical, have too many complicated models, and lead to unnecessary confusion. The Facilitator's Fieldbook was written to break through the theory, clear up the confusion--and make facilitation itself easy.

Comprehensive in scope, yet extremely practical and to the point, The Fieldbook is perfect for both novice and experienced facilitators. Those new to the art of facilitation will find clear guidance on basic how-to information. More experienced facilitators will discover advanced methods for use in more challenging facilitation situations and simple models for facilitating both large and small groups.

Best of all, The Facilitator's Fieldbook contains a wealth of resources such as checklists, samples, templates, guidelines, and step-by-step procedures. It will enable you to perform all the skills of facilitation, including: * establishing ground rules for groups * planing meetings and agendas * building the group database * brainstorming * decision making * conflict resolution, and more. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Facilitation course members love this book
I teach a master's level course in facilitation and team dynamics. Justice and Jamieson is by far the most useful and popular book in that course. Students use it heavily in designing facilitation processes during the course, and I hear them recommending to others that they KEEP their J&J handy because they'll continue to use it. Especially helpful: the quick overviews of group dynamics, overt/covert issues, team member roles, leadership processes. It helps to provide this background knowledge for the students. The options and explanations list many more choices and rationales than usually seen in a book like this. Examples: multiple approaches to brainstorming, agenda development, session evaluation, interventions to manage conflict, etc. J&J's second edition (if there is one) could be a little slicker, but you wouldn't have to change much content except perhaps to have an added section on virtual facilitation. Enjoy!

covers it all
Most comprehensive book on the topic I've seen. Very practical info. I interned with a small consulting firm that did excellent facilitation work, but their only training strategy for facilitation was "watch what I do and then do it" -- no real framework for a beginner. I wish I had known about this book; it put it all into logical structure and process, and allowed me to make sense of what I had seen a few times as a beginner. I've used its many practical checklists to become a respected facilitator, and still improving thanks to this manual.

Great Resource
This books is a "manual" on facilitation that prepares you very quickly. Great examples, good checklists, good index - well worth the price. My only quibble is a small one: charge a few dollars more and improve the paper and printing quality.

Best "how to" book on facilitation with groups and teams.
This book is an encyclopedia of practical guides and scripts for all levels of facilitators. I was able to immediately implement the carefully scripted process techniques in my University teaching and consulting work with other organizations. A real must for practitioners who are serious about making groups work! ... Read more

Book Description

Whether you are involved with selling raw materials, producing rubber compounds, or designing rubber components and products, The Rubber Formulary is the right data source to meet your needs. This first ever collection of 500 suggested formulas has been provided by raw materials suppliers around the world. Written for both technical and managerial personnel, this collection of formulas and basic texts will also benefit students and other individuals just entering the field.

The formulas are introduced by an overview of compounding raw materials, processes and evaluation techniques. The eleven formulary sections are grouped according to elastomer type. Convenience is the primary reason for this book. With the variety of uses for rubber being as broad as the imagination, a formulary which includes an overview of the history of rubber, as well as sections on ingredients, processing methods, and testing, is a welcome addition to any manufacturer’s library.

Key Features:

- Unique content not found elsewhere

- Formularies collected from those who actually designed them

- Contents can be used as guide, reference, or academic text

- Appendix includes trade-named raw materials, suppliers’ directory, and conversion tables for tensile strength, temperature, and masses & measures

Reviews (1)

organic chemistry in rubber industries
What are the importances of organic chemistry in rubber industries and how is rubber manufactured? ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Leading the beginner astray
While some of the information contained in the book is useful, the reviews given here by beginning welders to beginning welders is potentially misleading. For example the author fails to provide proper information on the basic gas welding set-up. He starts with opening the valves and skips to lighting the torch, completely by-passing the installation of the regulators and properly leak checking the complete OFW system (bottle valves, regulators, lines and torches), not to mention the importance of blowing out the talc new hoses contain. This is just the OFW side of the book and there isn't enough space here to cover the MIG/TIG side.
Wanting to learn to weld? Save your money and when you buy that Victor kit you've been wanting you'll find that it comes with a small welding and cutting manual that has far more information and is far more clear, concise than this book.

Excellent beginner book
This was an excellent beginning welding book. It covers the basics of most types of welding and does so in a reatively small number of pages. The book is clearly written and easily understanable to the novice. It was a little lacking in the following areas:1) specifics of metallurgy and nominclature of metal labling(ie what metals and alloys can be welded together and what are all of the alloy and wire/rod/ect classifications are used for/ect). I can hardly fault the author for this since he does give some information in this regard and the book is designed for the beginner and I would not expect that level of detail. 2)characteristics of good welds, there is a good explaination/diagram of penetration but they really need more photos of proper and improper welds showing some of the problems that are briefly mentioned by the author. With 2 extra chapters devoted to the subjects I mention this book would go from great to fantastic. Also, I would recommend that you buy it before you purchase any equipment since there is a good description of the pros and cons of each welding method and what features to look for when purchasing equipment for your specific application. You can then talk more intellegently to the welding supplier that you buy your equipment from and most likely end up with equipment that better suits your needs.

Too little info, too many mistakes
Instead of being a useful reference, this book ends up being a sugarcoated overview of the trade, with little really practical information.

If you were completely unfamiliar with welding, it would probably give you an idea of the various processes and theories involved, except that it is riddled with inaccuracies and incorrect information. I was very disconcerted as I started reading it and came across one questionable statement after another.

For those of us who are seeking tips for improving our welding skills, it's almost completely useless. The book misses the mark on several counts - for example, the last chapter, "Welding Certification and Training." The lead sentence in the chapter says "The reason for including this chapter in the Welder's Handbook is to give you a taste of what high quality welding should look like." Yet the chapter goes on to picture a welding truck, a red iron erection project, and a few line diagrams. There is nothing whatsoever to give you any idea of what high quality welding looks like.

I was amused by the projects section too - after the author spent the entire book touting his credentials as an aircraft certified weldor (sic), the welding table project described how he had to take the materials to a commercial welding shop to have them pre-cut to length for him. ???

My 25-year-old college lab manuals from my metal fabrication engineering courses continue to be a better reference than this book. I'd hoped for some insight into the latest technology, such as inverter machines, but the author sweeps such topics away saying they are too complex to cover.

Pretty covers with glossy photos from Lincoln Welding - but that's about it. Pass this one by.

Shouldn't be the only source of information
This book is lacking two major points. First, it doesn't say anything about setting up the regulators. It didn't attempt for the fact that the regulator screw have to be all the way out to be in the 'OFF' position in most of the brands. Second, it doesn't say anything about the CGA standards for the regulators. It doesn't mention the 540 and 510 standards and the most common types of regulators and tanks you see on the market. Go to eBay and see how many types of tanks are there. Maybe it should refer the reader to the regulator's instruction manual, but these steps cannot be forgotten.

I've bought an used outfit that came without instruction manual, I had a lot of trouble with the CGA standards and damaged my regulator by opening the cylinder with the screw all the way in. All that without mentioning the fact that I could have blown my head off.

These books target the 'do-it-yourself' kind of people (such as myself) and should assume it will be the only source of information. If not, just refer the user to the instruction manual.

Overall good book but I recommend caution. Look for other sources of information, gas welding is a serious matter.

Another book for the shelf
Perhaps I'm too tough on these authors. Over the past year I have purchased at least 5 of these types of books, and find myself disappointed at the lack of pertinent information.

This particular book had some decent information on the various processes, but I do not feel that it went into any of the processes with enough detail.

Finch states that you should learn GAS welding first. This was of no help to me. I purchased a MIG mainly to do sheetmetal / autobody repairs.

I'd recommend looking at some of the welding manufacturers sites and buying technical manuals or videos from them rather than buy from Finch.

Unfortunately, I will probably be too stupid to listen to my own advice next time I go to purchase a book. I'll come right back here and buy one of these crappy little paper-backs that don't give nearly enough information. ... Read more