I use this book in most of my Engineering classes because it contains so much information and explains it in ways that make sense to anyone. The older editions have a nicer, more comprehensive index in the back but contain just as much information.

I used this book (7th Edition) as the standard text for my Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering - I took all the electives in Manufacturing Engineering and so can say I covered a very broad range of topics in some depth.

This book is - to say the least - comprehensive. Not only did I find it an easy but thorough reference while taking my courses, I still frequently refer to it over 10 years later. I can honestly say that it is rare that I have to go outside of this book to look up details on basic manufacturing and machining processes.

A real benefit to the way the book has been written is the extensive use of photographs and diagrams to illustrate just about every point (often several to a page). When you are trying to understand real world problems like manufacturing this is essential.

In fact, I would go so far to say as if you are just someone with an inquisitive mind that likes to tinker with machine tools then you'll find this book useful. There have been plenty of times when I stumbled upon something while researching another topic and had a "so that's how they do it" moment.

You won't find extensive theory in the book - if you need to do theoretical calculations on strength of materials etc then you will want to look elsewhere. If you are interested in the practical details of manufacturing processes then this is the one for you. Perhaps thats the reason why this volume gets all the use and my theory books stay in the basement!

By the way, it's a real tome - over 1100 pages in the 7th edition - I'm sure there have been revisions in the 8th edition but haven't seen it yet. Even though it's expensive this book has paid itself off many times over for me.

good work on the part of author......

If you are looking for a quick yet thorough coverage of this topic then this is the book for you. It is a relatively short book, coming in at 167 pages (not including bibliography but including notes section), yet it covers the whole spectrum of the national music of the Dominican Republic.

Mr Austerlitz covers the beginnings of this music all the way through to its current state. It also spends time on Merengue's development during the Trujillo era (a particularly interesting topic to anyone who studies the Dominican Republic).

Mr Austerlitz also does a good job of addressing the sociological issues that arise from music and manages to blend well the merengue of the campo with that of the salon.

A good read and it even comes with a CD with some very good campo (country) merengue. If you are looking for merengue at its roots then this CD should please you.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1.Introduction

PART 1: THE HISTORY OF MERENGUE 1854-1961. 2. Nineteenth-Century Caribbean Merengue. 3. Merengue Cibaeno, Cultural Nationalism, and Resistance. 4. Music and the State: Merengue during the Era of Trujillo, 1930-1961.

PART 2: The Contemporary Era, 1961-1995. 5. Merengue in the Transnational Community. 6. Innovation and Social Issues in Pop Merengue. 7. Merengue on the Global Stage. 8. Enduring Localism. 9. Conclusion

Let me know if you found this useful.

Up in Manhattan's Morningside Heights and its Dominican analogs all over the US, salsa is edged out by the magnificently manic beat of the merengue, whether stirred into Dominican rap and house (the most original as well as the least known versions of the genre) or in the tear-em-down accordion of Fefita La Grande. Austerlitz has all this and a lot more, all the way from the luckless Toma' back in the 1840s (read the book!)Austerlitz covers merengue from rural to hi-society in all its fierce joviality. Read this book and you'll know there's one good thing Trujillo did for the Dominican Republic!

John Storm Roberts

Enjoyed the insight into the history of Merengue and its cultural context. This book has a place on my bookshelf along with "The Latin Tinge" and "The Brazilian Sound."

Okay, I have never read this book, but I would like to comment on the short story, Microcosmic God as it has always been one of my favorites. My dad told it as a bed time story when I was younger and I've actually read it several times since then. The story involves a brilliant scientist named Kidder, who has absorbed the sum total of man's knowledge and is frustrated by the fact that he will not live long enough to witness future breakthroughs in technology. The logical solution of course, is for him to create his own race of beings (called Neoterics), with a faster metabolism and shorter lifespan (about 12 days, I think), so that he can observe their evolution and eventually learn from their discoveries. It is truly amazing that Sturgeon is able to pull off this level of scientific arrogance in a realitively succinct and believable manner (after all it is a SHORT story). Can the creation of intelligent life possibly be so simple? Hardly, but I was willing to swallow the premise, because the idea is fascinating and I truly wanted to know how it would turn out. I can easily understand why Kidder would go to such lengths in order to glimpse the future of mankind. Of course, the story also includes an evil banker, Conant, who wants to exploit Kidder's inventions (such as a pill that cures the common cold) for profit, but by far the most absorbing aspect of the plot is the Neoterics themselves. Kidder keeps them in a large covered atrium (they are extremely small) and observes them through a magnifier. While human rights activists would obviously protest Kidder's treatment of the Neoterics (in one instance he lowers the roof of the atrium steadily over a period of time, causing widespead distruction and panic, and waits for them to create a support system out of tinfoil) one can't help being impressed by their resourcefulness and the collective way they respond to every threat. Kidder creates a written language for the Neoterics and begins communicating w/them. It is soon apparent that they believe him to be God. I don't want to ruin the outcome of the story, but I would definitely recommend this as a quick read for anyone, not just science fiction lovers. It explores the themes of faith and mortality in very original way.

In this volume Sturgeon is beginning to hit his stride. Some of these are among the best short stories in SF (e.g. Microcosmic God, Shottle Bop).

In the earlier stories, Sturgeon was still trying to find his ideal voice. Much of the prose was forced, and some rather simple plot devices (especially irony) were common. In this volume, though, he is coming into his own.

The best part of this collection is that he only got better later . . . this is only the second volume and just about every story here is a keeper and the really great ones will stick in your head forever. "The Microcosmic God", "Cargo", "Jumper" and all that type are nothing less than entertaining and at the same time showing you Sturgeon's highly sensative glimpses into the human heart. This guy cared about everyone and understood what made people tick, while some of his stuff might be considered formulaic still at this point, he can't be a genius everytime out and seeing everything in the proper order and context allows you to see his evolution. This entire ten volume series is a blessing, there aren't many writers who we get the chance to see them develop and there aren't that many who deserve this chance, all in all Sturgeon is at the top of the list. Cheers to whoever thought of this idea. Make sure these always stay in print!

Manning's protaginist, Bourne, wanders through this grisly narrative like a ghost. Friend of the enlisted and confidante of the sub-altern and officers, he cadges, scrounges, fights and kills in the mud, towns and trenches of WW1... Bourne is as likeable as any poet or writer is in a classroom of fellow lads, for that is what most of them were.. Yet his compassion and love for the suffering of his fellow men, though understated and pressed down here, betrays the real experiences of this little known Australian writer.. Hemingway wrote " The finest and noblest book of war that I have ever read " ..

A truly remarkable story of the horrors of the trenches in WWI. Manning, an Australian who moved to Britain to pursue his writing, served in WWI as an enlisted man, upon which the book is based. Bourne, the main character, is based upon Manning's experiences in France on the Western Front during WWI.
The novel provides an interesting insight into the lives of the common man in the trench, based on the perspective of a man who is from the upper class. Despite the class difference, Bourne is able to befriend his comrades, while at the same time, engage with the NCOs and officers who are senior to him.
An important element to derive from the book is the horror of the trenches, and the commanality of the experiences of the men who served, despite their social status. Once a man went "over the top" the base instinct of kill or be killed prevailed. Manning grasps this concept and adeptly describes the mechanical routine of sending men to their death, in what today is an inconceivable amount of casualties.
If you are looking for a good read on what life is like in the trenches, this is a great book.
Manning, while not a household name, won the acclaim of writers of his era to include Hemmingway and T.E. Lawrence. It is an enjoyable read and not easy to put down.

This is an unsung classic. Frederic Manning published it anonymously during his lifetime, but he was a poet and essayist of some repute, and it shows in his first class writing style.

The book, published ten years after the end of the First World War, runs along similar lines to the movie "Saving Private Ryan". The first chapter is stunning. We first find the hero (perhaps not quite the right word), Bourne, struggling back to British lines after a battle. You could almost be there such is the writing. Manning then gives a fantastic account of the emptiness and tension of the First World War battlefield as Bourne thinks over the days events that night.

The rest of book follows Bourne and his friends out of the front lines, and through various travails as they recover from the battle, recruit new men, and prepare for an inevitable return to the trenches.

If you have any interest in war, if you wish to understand what the First World War was really like -- it was not all "mud and blood" as the historians would have you believe -- this is the book for you.

It is a novel, but highly autobiographical. It is therefore easy to read and credible.

I give it five stars, and recommend it to all.

Reissue of original, which was published in 1955, in the pre-computer age. Solid QM description of vibrating polyatomic molecules, and their interaction with EM radiation. The authors exploit group theory (molecular symmetry) to reduce the calculational work as much as possible. Good introduction to the use of finite groups, e.g. how to exploit the hexagonal symmetry of the benzene molecule.

In this one, Wilson writes definitively, math/scientifically, and with sincerity of purpose. Don't get confused by the word 'theory.' There's as much math in here as Born and Wolf's P of O. The only diffenrence is Wilson's is much more algebra-based. The mathematics (i.e. isomorphs) is 'taught', without breaking the flow, and is not assumed that you know the stuff already--- or can find it somewhere else. This book stands out because there is more science in here than names of scientists, and his references are for real. I would also say it was unique because books with titles like 'Molecular Vibrations' are usually skipped over for titles like 'mechanics' or 'quantum theory.' Spectroscopy was a major advancement in science, and it is good to see it skillfully treated with enlightening clarity.

This is the original work by E.B.Wilson where the G and F matrix formalism is presented. The G matrix, related to kinetic vibrational energy is built uppon the elements of the B matrix defined from "internal coordinates". Many quantum chemistry software packages use this exact methodology to build normal coordinates. For those working on Quantum Chem Molecular Orbital calculations, this book is a must.

Jataka tales are similar but not identical in structure to the animal fables of the West. One difference is that the characters are less "black and white" - the crocodile is clever, the monkey is cleverer. Neither is foolish.

Jataka tales are stories of previous births of the Buddha i.e. similar to the more complex avadanas that are translated from the Sanskrit or Tibetan traditions. While the children's books of them are fun and well worth reading, at some point reading a more comprehensive selection should be on the agenda. This book is just a fun introduction for a young child.

That clever monkey has done it again. This book has pleasant illustrations and is a favorite of mine and my children.

It's about a monkey who tries to get away from a very hungry crocodile and the monkey who lives in a mango tree. Read it! Christian, 8 years old

This book was so interesting, I finished it in one day! Her frustrations, sadness, and suicidal thoughts are all written with such emotion. However, what I disliked of the book was that towards the end you feel as though this woman is completely blaming this problem on everyone else in her life and she's so psychotic! It makes recovering from bulimia seem even more scary than it already is. It feels really easy to blame your parents, family, a doctor, etc. The real strength is in taking the responsibility for your choices. Bulima and anorexia are not diseases that you accidently catch or inherit. They are things you choose. I felt that element was missing in this book. I was annoyed with the book's tone of "they made me do this".

INCREDIBLE. AWESOME. TRUTHFUL. CYNTHIA ROWLAND DOESNT MAKE HER LIFE A ROSE GARDEN./ SHE IS REAL AND TRUTHFUL ABOUT HER PAIN OF LIVING WITH BULMIA. FOR 12 YEARS SHE FELT THERE WAS NO HOPE AND WHEN SHE REACHED THE POINT OF DEATH SHE FOUGHT FOR HER LIFE...THIS BOOK ISNT ABOUT JUST EAT.DISORDERS...IT GOES IN TO HEART HUNGER. SHE WAS AN INCREDIBLE TV NEWS REPORTER NEAR DEATH AND NO ONE KNEW, BUT ONE CALL SAVED HER LIFE. SHE MET A THERIPIST WHO WOULD HELP HER SAVE HER LIFE. sHE HAD TO GO BACK TO CHILDHOOD TO FIND WHERE THE SELF DESTRCTION BEGAN. I FEEL HER PAIN AND HER VICTORIES . HER PARENTS HAD THE COURAGE TO COMEINTO THERAPY SO SHE COULD CONNFRONT HER PAIN FROM THE PAST. THE MON STER WITH IN GIVE ANYONE THE STORY OF ONE WOMANS COURAGE TO SAY IM SICK I NEED HELP AND SHE FOUGHT HER ADDICTION AND SHE OVERRCAME IT...EVERY WOMAN AND HER FAMILY SHOULD READ THE MONSTER WITHIN,,,IF YOU READ IT YOU'LL BE MORE COMPAASIONATE TOWARD YOURSELF AND OTHER. CYNTHIA FOUND THERE WERE REAL REASONS WHY SHE WANTED TO DIE BUT SHE LEARNED HOW TO LIVE...BEST BOOK FOR EATING DISORDERS

Every time someone tells their story, someone else is realizing that they are not alone. This book also lets them know that they do not have to die.

I'm ordering the script because I just saw " ...Fabulous..." on stage at the Trustus Theatre in Columbia SC and haven't laughed so hard in ages -- gotta have the lines in front of me now. Maybe it's because I'm in the religion "business" that the lines fascinate me - I don't think Rudnick intends for us to get overly theological about all this - but his extraordinary wit pokes fun at, challenges, debases and denigrates, a plethora of idiotic crap we have to put up with everyday in the name of religion. Blasphemy and sacrilige are not subjects he can be called guilty of. Humor, rhythm and flow of language he's guilty of, and it makes super theatre.
GO SEE IT somewhere - or convince your local theatre enterprise to book it. It sold out a dozen or more performances here (yes, in the Bible belt...)

This book is completely readable and accessible as literature, even if you don't like theatre. Witty, funny, incisive and insightful, this is an excellent work that takes religion and turns it on its ear. While somewhat superficial, it's superficial in the same vein as Jeffrey (Rudnick's masterpiece). Rudnick takes the light and "flitty" stereotype of American homosexuality and uses it as a rapier to skewer his target--in this case, religion in all its forms.

While the subject matter makes it unlikely that the deeply faithful will read it (Adam and Steve? That's a homophobic bumper sticker for Heaven's sake), neither the premise nor the work itself is anti-faith or even anti-Christian. It does not answer the eternal Questions, but it will leave you with a different (and incredibly valuable) new framework in which to ask them.

A delightful read, and I'd love to see it on stage.

Paul Rudnick's amazing new play "The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told" pokes fun at anything and everything involved with religion. Covering everything from Buddhism to Judiasm to Catholicism to Mormonism to Atheism, Rudnick leaves no stone unturned and spares no expense with his humor.

Divided in two acts, the play covers quite a gamut in religious theology. The first act recounts the "true" Biblicial couple, Adam and Steve, their fall from grace because of Adam's curiosity, and eventually meeting another couple, Jane and Mabel. Together, they survive a hilarious recounting of the Great Flood, and an even more hilarious recounting of a rather effemiente Pharoah refusing to let his "people" go because of his infatuation with the Moses/Brad character. Brilliant.

The second act plucks these people out of the Old Testament, and places them in modern day New York City, at a Christmas party thrown by Adam and Steve. The transition is seemless, due to Rudnick's ability to make it funny and believable. Rudnick leaves no stereotype unturned, from gay Santas to go-go boy elves, to a Public Access wheelchair bound lesbian rabbi (I'm not kidding) who steals the act. I rarely laugh outloud when reading a book, but I had tears in my eyes reading the second act. Excellent comedic writing!

Sometimes reading plays is very difficult because you need to see the action before you to appreciate attemmpts at humor. Not with this story. With Rudnick's copious stage directions, the entire play was acted out in my imagination very easily.

Rudnick's introduction frames the play quite nicely, assuring us everything religious was up for being a target in his play. If you are easily offended by religious humor, I suggest you stay away from this play. But if you believe in a God with a rich sense of humor, or believe in reading a funny, funny play, I cannot recommend this play highly enough!

Readers should be aware that some of the female characters in this story are characterized as being very loose in their sexual morals. The terms used to describe this circumstance are often crude.

Murder in Mexico is exactly the kind of book that you can have fun with while taking a long trip. Since the plot involves a lot of traveling, you will feel inspired to use your imagination to see fictional possibilities in the people around you. Could some of them be tailing you? Who is looking our for you? Who is your enemy? Who is in disguise?

Murder in Mexico makes good use of place to provide variety. The scenes run from De Gaulle airport outside of Paris, to the French Riviera, Houston, to various parts of Mexico, and California. If you have been to these places, the references will enrich your enjoyment. If you haven't, perhaps you will be encouraged to visit them.

The characters are very extreme in their qualities. As such, they will almost seem like caricatures. However, the way they are portrayed gives them vividness that will flood your emotions with everything from apprehension to fear to reassurance.

The plot is the centerpiece of Murder in Mexico, building from a poignant moment in the airport. A three-year married couple is about to be parted for the first time on an extended basis. Communication will be difficult, and clearly their lives will change. But they look forward to be reunited when the husband's work at a new auto plant in Mexico is completed. Before long, uncharacteristic messages and confusions start to take place. What is a devoted young wife to think . . . and do? Soon, she is over-her-head in complications which she faces with a great courage born of dedication and faith in her love.

The plot neatly resolves itself, having raised and answered many mysteries along the way. For my taste, the plot was overly complicated to be totally satisfying. Mysterious events are often more interesting if the reader has to keep stewing in the same areas rather than constantly being thrown new issues to consider.

I was pleased to see the way Mr. Rosner used the plot to develop the character of his heroine, Micheline. You will feel like you know her well and like her before the book ends.

Mr. Rosner's writing style is simple and appealing, and draws you into the story. He scatters his clues in ways that draw attention to the connections you should be making, so that you can more easily decipher the plot's mysteries.

I found myself starting the book late at night and staying up until 1 a.m. to complete it. Few novels draw me in that well.

After you finish enjoying this book, think about your assumptions about other people. How do you decide whom you can trust? How do you decide what you can trust them about? What do you assume that you know about other people, that you may not know.

Check your assumptions before acting!

Agatha Christie watch out! Paul Rosner has written an absorbing mystery that has all the ingredients of a good "Christie"--interesting and well drawn-out characters, a story that is exciting and holds your attention with a dollop of humor thrown in, leading up to a suspenseful climax.

In Micheline, Rosner creates a naive, likeable heroine who never falters from a cleverly designed plot. Her mission to find her missing husband takes us on a voyage from Paris to Mexico to Houston and California that is fraught with twists and turns and contains some highly colorful and satiric characters--all designed to hold our attention and keep us in suspense. I found this a book that was hard to put down.

Paul Rosner's excellent mystery novel, Murder in Mexico is what used to be known as a "corker". It moves with exhilarating pace and the reader is breathless at the turns in plot and how the myriad characters relate with one another. The author is a master of dialogue, suspense, and background detail. He also knows how to be wryly amusing in the middle of very perplexing incidents that befall the novel's heroine, Micheline Sorel. She is a fairly naïve and trusting wife who is led into following her husband from Paris to Mexico to the United States when he mysteriously disappears from while on a business trip to Mexico. Looking for a trail that might shed some light on her husband's whereabouts, she meets a series of characters somehow connected to her husband's disappearance. Rosner's characters are an interesting group: they have exotic roles in life, they lie, are not who they seem to be, are murdered or disappear themselves. Micheline's search for her husband and the resolution of the plot are very clever, indeed. This is a classic of its kind: plot, characters, interesting locale, and mystery served up with incomparable talent.