Subjects:  1. Cosmology    2. Natural theology    3. Philosophy & Social Aspects    4. Religion & Science    5. Religion and science    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Science / Cosmology   

Reviews (11)

Descriptive Astronomy for the Astronomy Student
Most introductory astronomy texts take the descriptive approach and subject the student to very little mathematics.Such tomes assume that the student is taking the course to fulfill a core science requirement or to satiate non-technical interest.This text is a rare exception to this rule.
Quality of the delivered product.
While the reason for buying the book was met (required text book for university study) the condition of the delivered item was very substandard. When the book arrived it was bent and creased and the front cover had been "pushed" in such a way that it was starting to come away from the spine. The book was not secure in its packaging and was able to slide around inside the box scuffing both front and back covers. I would not be happy if this happened to a $20 book let alone a book that cost me AUS $135.
Fabulous In-Depth Intro to Astronomy
I'm an amateur astronomy nut, and have read several dozen books on astronomy, cosmology, etc.This is probably the most clear, in-depth, understandable treatment of astronomical issues that I have ever read.Be it stellar evolution, stellar death, theory of relativity, black holes, galactic evolution -- you name it -- this book presents the research clearly, and explains tough to explain issues in terms I can understand.Bravo!My only complaint is that it's a bit heavy on Solar System research (first half of the book); I found the last half more to my interest. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy - General    2. Science    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Popular astronomy    5. Science / Astronomy   

Reviews (10)

Sky & Telescope's Pocket Atlas is now my FIRST reference
Having had it for two star parties now, it's become my favorite reference.
S&K and Sinnott Trump All Other's With New User Friendly Astral Guide!
S&K's new Pocket Sky Atlas is the triumphal culmination of years of research and thoughtful formatting work. Quite simply, it represents the easiest to use "at the scope" guide yet available. I highly recommend this work for the neophyte star gazer, as well as the most seasoned amateur astronomer.

Wouldn't want to go out with out it
There are two small atlases I consider to be absolutely indispensable.Sky and Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas is one of them.The charts in this atlas were well chosen.Each covers just the right amount of sky to give both a good perspective of the area you are looking at, and enough detail for star hopping with binoculars or finder scope, (stars are shown down to magnitude 7.6).Stick figures highlight the constellations to provide an easy and intuitive reference for what part of the sky the chart covers.An all sky view key of the charts is provided at the back of the book so that charts are easily located.The charts are well organized and very easy to navigate.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy - General    2. Astronomy - Star Guides    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Star Observation   

Reviews (8)

Run away
I found this book difficult to read and the example problems did not help with the homework problems.I went to return this book after taking Dynamics to find out that an 8th edition is being released and the book store would only offer my $7.25 for a book I paid well over $100.00.The fact that an 8th edition is being release so soon tells me that this book is flawed and being rewritten.

Disappointed
While the theory is somehow digestible, the problems are way too difficult and out of the real world. TO THE AUTHORS:When you imagine a mechanical system to be analyzed, try to make it real, not weird. Set as unknown the parameters that cannot be measured not those that can.Please, don't distort the engineering thinking of our students.(By the way: Fig. B.1 on page 1297 shows a crankshaft not a camshaft! Your solutions to problems 16.107 and 16.108 in the Instructor's Manual do not include the normal acceleration of the clamp.Energy Conservation when applied to Prob. 16.108 gives a term in omega^2).

Good Book
I used this book for the course of Dynamics in Civil Engineering.It was the textbook of my class.The examples are basic, and show you how to use the basic principles of dynamics to solve the more challeging problems at the end of each chapter.I enjoyed a lot this book, and I recommend it to everyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Engineering - Mechanical    3. Mechanics - Dynamics - General    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Mechanical engineering    7. Science / Dynamics   

Reviews (7)

What color is that?
If you're expecting to see color images in what is considered to be the "bible" of astrophotography, you'll be disappointed.Don't even look for them in the 40+ page chapter on (get this) Color Imaging.Not sure what the reasoning is behind that choice, but Mr. Wodaski could have served the readers better by provided some color images so we could better understand the color processing techniques described.

Great for Beginners
If your interested in getting Astronomy CCD imaging, this is the book.Explains all the important concepts very straightforwardly. Also helps you understand your own scopes strengths and weaknesses.

The Bible of Astrophotography with CCD cameras
This book does a wonderful job in taking the reader from the basics to advanced concepts of astrophotography with CCD cameras. It has an excellent section that explains how to choose a Telescope, the Mount, and the Camera. I wish I had read this section before I purchased my first Telescope and CCD camera. For example, one usually ignores the importance of having a solid Mount for CCD work. As it results, it is the single most important element to consider in this field. Even more important that the optics themselves. The techniques presented in this book have been very useful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy - General    2. Science    3. Science/Mathematics   

Reviews (18)

Unique,IdiosyncraticApproach
Flashback to 1979.I Purchased Weinberg's Gravitation book and
A great book by a great physicist
This is the bestbook written on general relativity, and I have read or at least looked at nearly every one of them. It is better than Wald's book because Steven Weinberg is a better physicist than Robert Wald. The only people who will not be pleased with it are those mathematicians who are looking to physics for elegant mathematics and not for physical insight.
Superlative - The Finest of Physics Expositions in GR
Weinberg's writing is absolutely unbelievable.It is so direct, precise and inspiring as well as thorough.His approach is as a minimalist in basing GR on nothing but the absolute necessities while being comprehensive in the topics covered.Virtually every word in the book is necessary and sufficient for it to be explanatory and complete.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy - General    2. Cosmology    3. General relativity (Physics)    4. Gravitation    5. Physics    6. Relativity    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Cosmology & the universe    10. Science / Relativity   

Reviews (1)

Airport planner and engineer's viewpoint - updated
The best of its kind for the technical detail. We have most of the other airport and terminal design books on the bookshelf (up to 2005 publication date), but every time we come back to using Horonjeff for the serious design ofnew airports and extensions. It is also good for layout design by theengineer for terminals - although the architects may want more books. But there is another book - the 2003 book titled Airport Systems - Planning, Design and Management by Richard de Neufville and Amedeo Odoni - that will become the definitive text on airport design for the first part of the 21st century. So you'll need both, especially if you have to deal with the complexity of systems and stakeholders that are part of medium to large size airports.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Airport Design    3. Airports    4. Architecture    5. Design and construction    6. Engineering - Civil    7. Planning    8. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    9. Reference    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Aerospace & air transport industries    12. Architecture / Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    13. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building   

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Engineering - Mechanical    3. Mechanics - Dynamics - General    4. Mechanics - General    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Mechanics of solids    9. Science / Dynamics   

Reviews (3)

Skimming the Surface
This book is a very general view from a very British perspective.I don't think it belongs in Embry-Riddle's graduate programs because it does not meet the needs of experienced professionals.As an undergraduate overview of the systems design process, it is good.However, the author does not even touch helicopters, seaplanes, or lighter-than-air-technology.So, the book would be more aptly named "Introduction to Airplane Design."
No substance
I consider this book to be a rough draft for a much larger book to come (I hope).The author just skims lightly through vast numbers of subjects, so that anyone who knows anything about airplanes will learn nothing new.Yet it isn't written on a basic enough level to have much to offer someone who knows nothing. Practical guide to aircraft design
Many aircraft design books detail the 'how' of aircraft design. For example, determining the stall characteristics of a conceptual aircraft design. John Flemings' book introduces the 'why' of the aircraft designprocess. This book is a perfect companion to other aircraft design texts,like 'Aircraft Design-a conceptual approach' by Daniel Raymer ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Aviation - General    3. Engineering - General    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Transportation    7. Aerospace & aviation technology    8. Airplanes - Design and construction    9. Mechanical engineering    10. Technology / Engineering / General   

Reviews (3)

In Quest of the Universe
this is the best and cheatest that u can get mann

A high and clear path through the jungle of details.
I taught from this book (in 2 editions) for 6-7 years.Market forces assure that the content of college level astro books isquite uniform, but what sets Kuhn apart is his strong conceptual approach--he does a betterjob than most competitors in NOT BURYING the student under a welter ofsuffocating detail.He also tries to keep vocabulary to the minimumnecessary.In other words, he works hard to combat that #1 demon infestingintro. college courses: factual overload.In recent years, other authorshave jumped on the bandwagon of making astro texts more concise andfocussed--beginning to cater to one of the strongest needs of the typicalstudent--but Karl Kuhn was one of the first and best to blaze theconceptual trail.Highly recommended.

good price, clear explanation
This book is significantly cheaper than the competing books, but more important, it does a better job of explaining many topics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy    2. Astronomy - General    3. General    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Textbooks    7. Mathematics and Science    8. Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects   

Reviews (3)

Fit For Purpose
This is what the title says - for engineering students.It is not really useful for the practicing aircraft structural analyst.The mathematics presented is considerably more involved than is presented in most other airframe analysis texts, with empahsis on how stress formulae are derived.A bit over the top if all you want is to know how to analyse a practical problem, but ideal for the student who needs to know the foundations of analysis.A little bit annoying how equations are quoted by number, forcing the reader to continuously return to previous chapters.

Bad examples, NOT clear
The examples are not clear.They only show numbers with no units and do not even explain where the numbers came from.I am a student so I had to buy this book.I would not recomend buying this book unless you absolutly have to. I have seen alot of engineering books and this one is truely one of the worst.

effective
This useful book gives a strong theoretical basis on structural analysis.In fact the maths involved is advanced but clearly explained, so that it is quite easy to follow the theory presentation. Worked examples,as well as line illustrations, are very helpful, efficaciuosly completingthe expositions. In the end ,a quite comprehensive textbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Science/Mathematics    3. Technology    4. Technology & Industrial Arts    5. Aerospace & aviation technology    6. Mechanical engineering    7. Technology / Aeronautics & Astronautics   

Reviews (1)

Publisher Fails!
This textbook is an adequate basic astronomy text that covers all of the bases and as might be expected has many updates reflecting recent research in the field.However, much of the really cool photography, demonstrations, animations, and illustrations are not in the book but are supposed to be on the web-site to which purchasers are given free access for more than an academic year.Although the book was released months ago, the web-site will not be available before the end of May 2006.The Prentice Hall Product Support people took over three weeks to find this out and were unable to offer any other solution to the problem which was shared by half of my class section.Do not purchase this book; it is a ripoff.If you must buy it, buy an older edition that comes with the CD (which the rest of my section purchased.)You won't have to deal with Prentice-Hall.Even better, try "Discovering the Universe" which is better written and comes with a CD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy    2. Astronomy (General)    3. Astronomy - General    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Textbooks    7. Astronomy, Space & Time    8. Science / Astronomy   

Reviews (10)

An effective intro to the subject
This is a very good read, for an engineering textbook.It uses a rare combination of technical and historical explanations that holds the reader's interest enough to effectively provide him/her with the basic concepts of the subject it teaches.
Deep text, but good intro book
This book is definitely for serious aero engineering students. Very in-depth, very detailed. Don't expect light material for those who are with no background in some physics, statics and dynamics. Wish it had more examples for working on to better understand concepts, and more illustrations. Interesting book nonetheless.

A Great Introduction
This book is amazing. Most engineering texts are exhausting to read, but Anderson's is clear, organized, and complete. I've never had a better learning tool--I'll keep it for life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aerodynamics    2. Aeronautics & Astronautics    3. Aircraft Design And Construction    4. Airplanes    5. Applied Aerodynamics    6. Aviation - General    7. Aviation - Piloting & Flight Instruction    8. Design and construction    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Transportation    12. Aerospace & aviation technology    13. Aircraft: general interest    14. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (2)

Excellent
I think this book it's a "must have" for anyone interested in avionics. It would be interesting if in future editions the autor writes more about mathematical analysis regarding avionics equations. Nevertheless, this book is an excellent source of information. If you are looking for something in avionics, and your professional background is an advanced techniciann or engineer, this is a very good choice.

Much Needed referencen text
This book is a much needed avionics reference book and text.It is an excellent overview of emerging and traditional avionics systems.The book starts with a short history of avionics development and then goes on to explain all avionics systems found in modern aircraft.Dr. Helfrick does an excellent job of explaining how various systems function and their role in the aircraft and air traffic control system.The book is written with the avionics technician or engineer in mind but would be very helpful to pilots who want a more in depth knowledge of the systems in the aircraft they fly.The book addresses future as well as all current systems and is a must for anyone interested or working in the field of avionics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Science/Mathematics    3. Technology   

Subjects:  1. Astrophysics    2. Astrophysics & Space Science    3. Physics    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Textbooks    7. Science / Physics   

Reviews (234)

A Well Presented Theory
I'm a big fan of ancient history. I remember when I went to a university open day toward the end of high school. I wandered over to the archaeology wing, and in a glass case they had a genuine Sumerian cuneiform, one of the oldest pieces of writing in known history. It was only a little one, but I remember being mesmerized by it. I'm also a big fan of alternative histories, because I do have a feeling there is more to prehistory than there appears, and have read quite a few of the "essential" reads.
Amazing Book
This was a serious and thought provoking look into facts that modern science wants no light shed on. Modern geography, anthropology, and especially Egyptology are turned completely on there heads by the undisputable evidence put forth in this book.
He did it again !
After Fingerprints of the Gods, I read Supernatural, Then reread Andrew Collins, From the Ashes of Angels, I would like to see these authors cowrite a book, because I have a feeling that now we are really getting close to the truth on Earths past history. Maybe the animal headed gods of egypt and other places were seen by the shamans, and reported on when they returned from thier Astral Journeys. I do know these Authors will produce some more great books !!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Anthropology - General    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Astronomy - General    5. Controversial Knowledge    6. History: World    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Science / Astronomy   

Reviews (2)

perfect book for reference
If you're looking for a book that is a great read and even a better reference book about the geosciences, this is the one.I refer to it often in my scientific education.The references at the end of each chapter arealso a great way for people to get further information on each subject, ifthey need it.

The evolution of our planet from a new perspective
Earth, Evolution of a Habitable World by Jonathan I. LunineRead more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy - Solar System    2. Earth    3. Earth Sciences - General    4. Earth sciences    5. Environmental sciences    6. Life Sciences - Evolution    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Astronomy, Space & Time    10. Pollution & threats to the environment    11. Science / Earth Sciences   

Reviews (1)

Everything you want to know, plus a great CDRom!
This book is really good, especially for those interested in the universe and its formation. It also comes with a CDRom with video clips and a study guide for students. A useful, and interesting book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy - General    2. Science    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Astronomy, Space & Time    5. Science / Physics   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (135)

Sagan's Bible:The Book that got People thinking about the Good Earth.
This was the 20th century's greatest story-book on us,the citizens of the planet Earth.I first read this in grade school and was spellbound, by Sagan's magickal review of the human race and the universe.No other book equalled it's eloquence,expressing to all readers,the need to save our species ,the planet and all her creatures. -(Reader Beware!)-One thing that is largely left out is ,Realpolitik.Sagan was an "ivory tower scientist" and also an "arm-chair atheist".Political Reality and Spirituality,can not be removed from our human society and our human pysche. Yet,by writing this momentous book,he remains a "true literary emissary for positive social change". It would't hurt the masses of readers,by continuing to explore this book,now into the 21 century .

Previous reviewer missed the point entirely
This book is not about the scientific accuracy of Sagan's predictions and musings. If Sagan wanted to be purely scientific, this book wouldn't have been written. The fact is that we don't KNOW enough about what's out there to make scientific predictions. What we do have is our imagination, and our knowledge of how the universe works. Sagan does an excellent job of using his imagination to come up with different possibilities for us to ponder. He speculates about which might be more likely, but he doesn't claim scientific accuracy. This book will expand your mind and give you a mature outlook on the world and our place in the universe.

A testament to Carl Sagan's convictions
As the years go by, this book ceases to be an up-to-date popularization of astronomy, and more of a testament to Carl Sagan's convictions and optimism with science.As a youth, was enchanted by the series, and grateful for the important principles and fact about science was being taught.We need scientists; we need to popularize science; we need to do all of this necessary hard research that raises our standard of living.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy    2. Astronomy - General    3. Cosmology    4. General    5. Popular works    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Science / Cosmology   

Reviews (10)

FANTASTIC reading - simply ONE of a kind!
ABSOLUTELY GREAT book - no doubts, no reservations! I would strongly recommend it to ANYBODY, regardless of the background - it's a wonderful, fascinating reading. This book is VERY DIFFERENT from all other pop-physics books I ever read because it is simply INTERESTING to READ, like a good detective story. Vilenkin is an excellent writer, he writes in a literary language which is normally reserved for fiction. He does not give you all the answers immediately, so you are wondering what is coming next. He is also witty and illustrates his text with great cartoons.
Fasinating, if somewhat flawed....
If you can get past the fact that no one has ever found any real evidence for string theory, then the book's viewpoint on multi-universe ideas goes no where.If you go more by the Big Bang Theory (where there is plenty of evidence for), then the idea (which many belive is the case) is that we live in a closed universe where there is no direct connection between our universe and other universes (if they exist).Einstein's Theory of General Realivety does not disprove the idea of other universes, in fact it's likely other universes outside of our own do exist, but because we live in a closed universe, we may never find evidence to support the Multi-universes theory.Just like it is likely we will never know for sure, if the fourth dimension exists, we can speculate about it, and there may be a fourth dimension, which makes the other three dimensions of left/right, forward/backward, and up/down exist.But we can never experience it.

A very witty and clear book from a leading cosmologist
Alex Vilenkin is one of the popular authors who is also a real leader in his field. He is one of the main authors of eternal inflation and a co-author of a mathematical formula according to which the Universe spontaneously appears from "nothing". He has also worked on topics such as cosmic strings that are not covered in the book.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy - Universe    2. Astrophysics    3. Astrophysics & Space Science    4. Cosmogony    5. Cosmography    6. Cosmology    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Cosmology & the universe    10. Science / Astrophysics & Space Science