Controls Books

Great adventure. Makes a person know your dreams can come true

What sets this Atlantic crossing story appart is the genuineness of Mr. Spiess and his pure passion for the voyage, both nautical and personal. Many aspects of his story are greatly appreciated. First and foremost, the successful completion of crossing the North Atlantic in a 10 foot sailboat, he designed and built in his garage, is simply amazing. While it is easy to assume this to be a fanatical attempt at publicity or record setting, it is refreshing to discover that Yankee Girl was designed according to what he believed to be sufficient for the task at hand. Other strong points in his telling of the story are his conveying his own doubts and fears, yet continuing on, motivated by his passion and desire to experience all his journey has to offer. Spiess is a person who strives to live the dream and, along the way, inspires others to do the same. Spiess' writing is both gripping and genuine. He is able to express passion and the true "romance of the sea" without waxing poetic ad nauseum. For "armchair navigator's" such as this reader, Alone Against the Atlantic was a wonderful reading experience.

Gerry Spiess is a school teacher with a dream, a dream to sail across the Atlantic in a tiny boat of his own design. He takes you through the inception, design, building and finally his epic journey across the Atlantic ocean. He spent nearly two months sailing toward Falmouth England at barely walking speed. You will laugh with him, you will suffer with him as he inches his way through rough seas and calm winds as he crosses the Atlantic. He had me grabbing for maps to follow his progress. It's a good read

This book should come with a warning label attached that states, "If you don't want your dreams to become reality, don't read this book"! Gerry Spiess proved that the average man or woman, given enough tenacity, determination, and, yes, even enough bullheadedness, can do just about anything they wish. It is a triumph of the human spirit in the face of incredible odds. Alone Against the Atlantic stirs those coals of adventure that lie deep inside each of us. Gerry makes us believe that we can all "go forth and do likewise". The simple truth is - we can.

When your in parts of the world were their are drug lords and Wealthy people Like California it was Like magic before, like I was living in a Drug Lord Movie. No problems worries with people telling because that is no problem unless one gets involved with differnt people who don't share the same chemistry and that does not happen with people of that chemistry because everyone does not always think the same things.

Clawson and Lee managed to compile a vast amount of data from varied sources to produce a balanced on-the-mark analysis of the cocaine industry and its impact on the region. A very impressive book.

As a person who has lived in and conducted business in Colombia, and as someone who is interested in the subjects of Colombian history, economics, and the country's struggle to maintain its own internal sovereignty, I found The Anean Cocaine Industry to be extremely informative. Bravo to Clawson and Lee -- a job well done. If you are interested in cocaine, its production and its socio-political and economic impacts, this book is an educational must read. Bottom line: a wonderfully comprehensive text on this subject.

"The Andean Cocaine Industry" is an expert account of drug trafficking. The authors leave no stone unturned in studying this important subject. They must be commended...this is a remarkable book.

This autobiography of Dr. Juran, who overcame childhood tragedy to make an impact on business and society, examines his career and work life with an eye to showing how they influenced his professional development and eventual reputation in the business management world. His concepts of quality eventually became a part of businesses around the world: Architect Of Quality will appeal to any interested in how the quality concept became embedded in the business plan.

This book was a real eye opener for me. I know a little about the Quality world -- and Juran is the #1 man in Quality.

He pulled the tools together into one place for identification of waste, putting the ideas into forms management could understand, and developing problem solving methods for fixing it.

It was really interesting to see where this man came from and how his concepts and ideas came together.

Easy reading and the sort of book that will make you want to dig into his other heavier management and engineering books.

Juran is known as a Quality "guru", but this book makes clear that he made significant contributions to management theory, human resources management and consulting as well. The historical perspectives provided by such a distinguished leader in these areas is illuminating. The book is a fast read, and is focused on his professional journey, with only a little about his life outside work (I would have liked more about this side of his life). His affection for the United States, and his work with the Japanese come through as high points.

This is an excellent autobiography by one of the most renowned quality gurus in the world. His contributions to the field of quality management in his over 70 active working years is outstanding. Dr. Juran was the first to incorporate the human aspect of quality management which is referred to as Total Quality Management.

Among the quality management ideas and concepts for which Juran is well known include top management involvement, the Pareto principle, the need for widespread training in quality, the definition of quality as fitness for use, the project-by-project approach to quality improvement.

Juran was born in 1904 in Rumania. The family immigrated to the USA some few years later in search of the American dream and to escape poverty in their country. Young Juran was a gifted scholar with special aptitudes for mathematic and science. In 1920, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota. By 1925, he had received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He worked at the Western Electric Company in the Inspection Department of the famous Hawthorne Works in Chicago. This was a huge and complex factory, manned by 40,000 workers. This presented Juran with his first challenge in management.

Juran was one of two engineers for the Inspection Statistical Department, one of the first of such divisions created in American industry.

By 1937, Juran was the chief of Industrial Engineering at Western Electric in New York. His work involved visiting other companies and discussing methods of quality management. During WWII, Juran served in Washington, D.C. as an assistant administrator for the Lend-Lease Administration. He and his team improved the efficiency of the process, eliminating excessive paperwork and thus hastening the arrival of supplies to the USA allies. Juran finally left Washington in 1945 and chose to devote the remainder of his life to the study of quality management.

Juran became Chairman of the Department of Administrative Engineering at New York University (NYU), where he taught for many years. He also created a thriving consulting practice, and wrote books and delivered lectures for American Management Association (AMA). It was his time with NYU and the AMA which allowed for the development of his management philosophies which are now embedded in the foundation of American and Japanese management. His classic book, the Quality Control Handbook, first released in 1951, is widely used reference work for quality managers.

This is an excellent book that is highly recommended for managers as well as quality specialists.

This is certainly not my favorite book on dynamics or control, but everyone references it, so you should probably have a copy of it if you're a serious aeronautics guidance and control professional.

Blakelock's text is a very fine book. You may also find Control Systems Engineering by Nise (now in 3rd Edn)of benefit.

Blakelock's book is probably the most practical flight control book out there for both planes and missiles. Unfortunatly fly-by-wire and some other newer methods now practicable because of increased on-board computing power are not really covered but are hinted at in places. This tome provides probably the easiest to understand approach to aircraft control in existance. Straightforward and oriented to a step-by-step approach, it beats many of the "classic" texts popular with many professors hands down. Being a controls kind of guy, I particularly enjoy his use of normalized stability derivatives which result in controller designs already in units that can be directly used for servomotor design. A good understanding of this book will be of enormous use to even the most moderm airplane control system designer. For many years this book has been the secret weapon of those "in the know".
This book is oriented almost exclusively to frequency domain methods but there is a state variable approach chapter. Currently, there is a return to state-space methods movement in progress but this material in Blakelock is mandatory even for understanding the state-space methods. Examine Stengel's new work Flight Dynamics.

I used this book as a ready refence for all my six degree-of-freedom missile modeling. An excellent presentation. There are 13 chapters with 9 Appendices. I suspect this book is out-of-print - get it while you can!

I received this book as a gift and LOVE IT! I have used many of these recipees and they are all pretty easy and taste wonderful. I especially like that I can do them in my Crockpot or cooking bags. Easy! Easy! Easy!

As a "seasoned citizen" we are both busy in civic work. This author has covered all types of menus from soups, salads, pastas, meats, desserts and even snacks. She has shown us how to be more knowledgeable on the use of the new appliances and how they can be used to save time in preparing a meal. Her recipes on the rice cooker, slow cooker, microwave has given me so many new ideas in preparing our meals. The recipes are very delicious and the author uses a lot of spices that add to the flavor of the dish.

Pat Leontsinis delivers a mix of foods for those of us who are out of "healthy" ideas in our own kitchens. I especially love the specialized cooking techniques using appliances that are common in every household. Several recipies have become both home and workplace favorites (for example, the Roasted Eggplant Dip). Have you ever made soup in a rice cooker? I had always used my rice cooker for rice, but I now use it to make unique healthy meals. My slow cooker has never seen this much action (and my house smells delicious when I come home for dinner).

There's something for everyone in this cookbook but it's especially for the person who doesn't love to cook and especially doesn't love to figure out all the calories, fat content, etc when trying to make healthy meals!. It's an easy way to have nutricious, tasty meals every day, home-made with minimum fuss and trouble for the cook.

THIS BOOK IS UNQUESTIONABLY THE BEST QUALITY REFERENCE BOOK EVER WRITTEN! David Hoyle confidently explains the underlying logic behind ISO and QS requirements in such a manner that the reader is amazed at the simplicity of the requirement and how it will benefit his company. I feel more motivated and positive each time I use it!

The book is well organized and addresses complex issues in a logical, well ordered fashion. The author uses excellent examples to illustrate his points. The "task lists" and "Do's and Don'ts" provided for each section are the single best reference checklist I have come across. He makes extensive use of charts and diagrams to illustrate interdependencies and processes.

What I like best about this author is that he clearly understands the real world and the problems and challenges that face every company. He sites real-world examples and solutions. He takes a common sense approach so that you get a quality company and product, not just an expensive bound manual. So many other quality authors come off as dry and unyielding losing sight of the real goal.

The first thing any company should do when contemplating ISO or QS is to go and buy a copy of this book for every Senior Executive and Manager!

David Hoyle is a true pioneer in Quality and a guy to keep your eye on. I also follow his speeches and articles. I have no doubt that his contributions will someday reshape this field.

I not only read this book, but also I was the chief editor for a translation of it into Farsi (a limited companywide translation). Being Editor for the Farsi translation, I had to read it letter by letter, and compare the concepts with the original text. So I can claim that I am one of those who has read the book deeply and completely in detail. This is such a handbook that makes companies needless of consultors, for many parts of the implementation project. It takes the managers' hand, carrys them step by step, giving a deep insight onto the thoughts behind the physical name of "QS-9000". None of the words has been neglected to read critically from the consistency and interpretablity point of view. I and all the translation team, enjoyed and learned a lot through reading the book. (Unfortunately I have not the address of Mr. Hoyle and looking for his address, to communicate directly, to take the greetings and thanks of the team and mine, and to send a Farsi translation to him.)

We completed the translation and desktop publishing in only 28 days, (it takes normally at least 1 year)! What is clearly identifiable, Prof. Hoyle knows the backbone of ISO9000 and QS-9000 philosophy well, that is why his comments on the ambigous or confusing parts are completely consistent with ours as advisors with many practical experiences. I had some footnotes on Farsi translation of this book, but this never lessen a bit the value of it and I pride that it was a real remote training course of Prof. Hoyle himself for me and our experts.

The handbook can be also a good guide for implementing any standard system like VDA 6.1, ISO TS 16949, French, and Italian automotive companies' similar standards, becouse it is concept-oriented and not QS-9000 word- or phrase-dependent.

I leave my e-mail address, and looking forward to any kind mail about the address of Proffessor by others khowing him.

David Hoyle's book on QS-9000 is one of the best books I've read on the automotive standard. I use it as my 'bible' for instruction and for creating documentation. I would recommend it to anyone who is contemplating certification.

David Hoyle's QS-9000 Quality Systems handbook is essential reading for all interested parties who require a succinct accurate analysis of QS-9000, Quality System Requirements.

As a practicing QS-9000 Registered Lead Auditor the writer has informally recommended the text to numerous corporations worldwide. Divided into two parts - Preparation for QS-9000 and Satisfying QS-9000 requirements.

Part 1 - Preparation for QS-9000 initially reviews quality assurance fundamentals in clear language including discussion on the quality , price and cost relationship. The mechanics of the QS-9000 registration process (similar to ISO9000) are covered together with a listing of key QS-9000 requirements and many common misconceptions. ( These may be useful in discussing an invalid nonconformity with an over zealous QS-9000 auditor !!)

Part 2 - Satisfying QS-9000 requirements takes each of the 23 sections of QS-9000 (2nd Edition February 1995) and in very good detail explains the! actual QS-9000 requirement and how it may be incorporated within a quality system. A useful Task List, Questionnaire and 'Do & Don't' listing is included at the end of each section.

In summary its hard to criticize this book as it is truly a world class text !

Roland J. Kelly QS-LA , CQE , BS MS Natonal Standards Authority of Ireland Fremont California USA

With so many books advocating single methodologies as if they were a single "silver bullet", Dr. El-Haik integrates many of the leading contemporary approaches in a complementary manner.

The first third of the book does a creditable job of explaining the two axioms and many of the correlaries. It then goes on to show the relationship to Quality Function Deployment, Robust Engineering, the Quality Loss Function, Concept Development, TRIZ and reliability.

This book is quite comprehensive, but not at all a quick read, as there are many mathematical illustrations that need to be studied to appreciate.

A added plus for those who are anxious to get right into Axiomatic Design is a software download that can make the relationships easier to handle.

Given "Voice of Customer", the job of engineers is to develop design concept and to perfect the design concept. Their challenge is to win in "Cost", "Quality" and "Time-to-Market". Stuart Pugh said "The wrong choice of concept in a given design situation can rarely, if ever, be recouped by brilliant detailed design." He also said "One thing is certain. It is extremely easy to select the wrong concept and very difficult to select the best one." This book integrates Axiomatic Design (by Nam Suh) and Robust Design both at the theoretical and the mathematical level. The concept of axiomatic design is extremely important in generating a winning concept, while robust design optimize its performance for robustness against various noise factors such as customers' usage environment and aging.

Also, there is a good chapter about reliability from axiomatic design perspective. The book contains a lot of examples that help the leader really grasp the concept. It provides an in-depth and clear coverage of all the important, philosophical, theoretical, implementation and technical aspects of the integration of axiomatic design and robust design (the so called axiomatic quality) to readers. In addition, the book discusses and illustrates very clearly the whole axiomatic quality deployment and execution process, which is an integral part of Design For Six Sigma approach. I am sure that this book will any reader develop skills in applying axiomatic design and robust design as an integrated quality approach in industrial or service implementation.

Shin Taguchi, President, American Supplier Institute, Inc.
Livonia, Michigan

"Axiomatic Quality" provides a thorough and chronological description of the axiomatic design and quality process. Dr. Basem El-Haik provides a detailed roadmap for the design and launch of mistake-free products, processes, and services. Mistake-free means satisfying the Customers requirements at product launch and throughout the products service life.

Basem integrates the design and quality process through the use of axiomatic design. He provides a thorough description of the axiomatic design theorems (independence and information) and their many corollaries. Basem provides a thorough description of the requirements flowdown process using Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and the "zigzagging" process to develop products that satisfy the axiomatic design theorems. Best of all, he provides excellent product and process examples that span the entire design development and launch phases. The step-by-step examples can be used as templates for the implementation and integration of the various Six Sigma tools (QFD, Axiomatic Design, Morphological Matrix, Robust Design, etc.) within any product development program.

"Axiomatic Quality" strengthened my understanding of the Design for Six Sigma process and its relationship to the development of superior products, processes and services. Axiomatic Quality also serves as a "how to" reference for use in the design development process. I keep a copy of Axiomatic Quality on the corner of my desk for reference and review.

Basem El-Haik has made a significant contribution to the evolving field of Design-for-Six-Sigma (DFSS). Axiomatic Design has long been a compelling methodology, but as a discrete design methodology it did not have the leverage that Basem has created by integrating it with other Six Sigma methods.

This integration is particularly apparent with his work combining the design axioms developed by Nam Suh with Robust Design optimization. The application relevant introduction of Design Domains, Functional Requirements, Domain Mapping, and Decomposition (Zig-zagging) creates an effective foundation for the 'effective' implementation of Taguchi's Parameter Design.

This book is a must for the professional implementer of DFSS or anyone interested in demystifying the fundimentals of system design. As as Six Sigma professional, I have included "Axiomatic Quality" as part of my evolving DFSS tool box.

I bought this book many years ago while doing my never ending research about abortion and the law. This book presents the stories of real people who suffered through unwanted pregnancies because abortion wasn't a legal or safe option, those who had illegal, painful abortions, and even medical professionals who argued for the option of a choice for women. There were even stories of men who stood by the side of thier loved ones during those immpossible times. I think it is what I liked about this book. It was very personal and touching. But it really made me sad to think that there was a day when women had two choices when facing an unwanted pregnancy: death and/or mutilation or parenthood against thier will. This should be required reading in high school so that everyone is aware of how barbaric the US was and could be again if we don't assert the desire to treat women with dignity and respect.

This book shows exactly what can happen if the religious right is successful in criminalizing abortion. The back alley and back room abortionists will be back in business and women will once again die. Abortion rights is something that no one can ignore. The banning of abortion can happen to us in the U.S. if we aren't paying attention and remaining active. Women will have abortions regardless of the laws. It is every woman's right to control her own body.

This book touched my heart and soul.
As a mother and a health care worker in a Feminist Health Center that provides abortions, I appreciate even more having CHOICE.
this book tells stories of women who sought out abortion when it was illegal and would do ANYTHING, even if it meant risking thier life. This book brought me to tears several times. I am more educated about what women REALLY went through before abortion was legal. I am only 22 and it is a shame that women my age don't appreciate the rights that they have.
This book was such an eye opener and should be offered in health and history class in high schools. I love the honestly and the raw feeling that women express in this book.
I work in an abortion clinic and I have had an abortion myself. I don't regret my choice and I am a BETTER mother because of it. My daughter and the baby I would have had would not have had the life that they both deserved had I had another child. I work with AMAZING compassionate women that are supportive of whatever choice a woman makes regarding her pregnancy. That is how it should be.
Pro-life is PROCHOICE

Up until my early adulthood, I was very opposed to abortion for almost all circumstances. I attribute this to my upbringing. While I still have respect for my parents, I began to seriously rethink my stand on this issue (and others). I had decided to seriously study and try to understand "the other side" of this issue (and others), and this was one of the first books I read during my own independent research. I had checked it out from the library.

It was some very disturbing reading. The accounts of real people, ranging from the common working-class girls to high-profile celebrities, was suprising. I had been taught not to believe accounts of "back alley abortions," and to ignore the warnings of those old days (more by example than by direct command). From the proverbial coat-hangers to lysol lavages to sexual humiliation by providers, it kept going over and over again in my head, "I never wanted it to come to this. I just wanted to save a kid's life but I do not want it to come to this."

I also must state for the record that I was very embarassed by the behavior of those who, at that time, were supposed to be on "my side" with their crude comments they had written in this library book. >:(

While it did not immediately "convert" me to the other side, it was a first big step in softening my stand on the issue. I think what finally helped me reason through it and change my stand on this issue were the eloquent words by Sarah Weddington in her Roe v Wade arguments (and her book) along with a lesser-known book titled "Stalking the Wild Taboo." Plain old logic. But I digress.

This book is a real eye-opener for the complacent and brutally uninformed who need to see real stories of what actually happened in the past before abortion was legalized.

I've spent hundreds of dollars on my back pain and if I'd known the simple principles in this excellent book I could have done alot to help myself sooner. This is not a full-blown explanation of the Alexander Technique; it's more like an quick-start guide on how to use it to immediately relieve some of your back pain. I have scoliosis and you would have to go to an Alexander teacher to improve beyond a certain point with that diagnosis. However, applying the principles in this book gave me a new confidence that I could improve my range of movement and reduce my pain. Overall, an excellent investment in back health.

Well written, clear, concise. Covers all types of situations in which this method of using your body is helpful. Interesting approach for those who already have a problem and for those who wish to prevent poor posture and all its consequences. The story of Alexander's discovery of this approach is very interesting. Includes many good illustrations.

Caplan's book is a user-friendly guide to good body use, including many illustrations and exercises which will help anyone who wishes to avoid back trouble. She covers all sorts of situations, including bone and joint ailments and post-surgery. Do yourself a favor and buy this book.

This book does a great job to educate about how the body functions, with emphasis on helping those with back pain. It is an excellent integration of the Alexander approach with physical therapy to aide in recovery, and better lifetime function.The illustrations are very helpful. As a physical therapist, I recommend this book to all of my patients with Back Trouble.

This cookbook has become a staple in my already-large cookbook collection. I have used this book many times to "lighten" up a family favorite dish, and have made many of the recipes contained here. The book is organized in the following categories: Getting to Know Good Nutrition, Mouth-Watering Main Dishes, Tempting Side Dishes, Enticing Desserts, and Refreshing Snacks.

Some of my family's favorites include: Beef Stroganoff, Spaghetti Pie, Fajitas, Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, Coq Au Vin, Chicken & Dumplings, Oven Fried Chicken, Chicken PotPie, Tuna Noodle Casserole, Quiche Lorraine, Macaroni & Cheese, No Fried Ice Milk, Creamy Coleslaw, German-Style Potato Salad, Caramel Rolls, Pumpkin Bars, Carrot Cake, and Heavenly Cheesecake,

The recipes try to offer lower sodium, fat, calories, and cholesterol than the original "family" favorites, without decreasing taste. My family could barely tell these were not the original versions, and I feel good lowering fat and sodium wherever I can. This cookbook may not offer many "gourmet" dishes, but it gives wonderful recipes for favorite recipes you thought you could not enjoy anymore because of the high fat/sodium/cholesterol content. Enjoy!

Family Favorites Made Lighter is a collection of over 100 family-friendly recipes that are practical, quick and delicious. These recipes are the same dishes your mother made -- made modern. The information on fat, cholesterol, and salt is accurate and helpful. These are the perfect transitional dishes for the family trying to change the way it eats. Our family has found many new favorites in this selection. A reliable source, even at the last minute! Highly recommended!

I have had this cook book for quite a long time now, and it is one of my most used books. It has all types of recipes, from appetizers to main meals to deserts. The recipes are not wild and extravagant, requiring trips to specialty gourmet stores; they are mostly recipes you are already familiar with, just made lighter. Try their version of sweet and sour pork, it is absolutely delicious! The banana bread is fantastic too - I've made that one so many times that my book just falls open to that page automatically.

Excellent cookbook with easy to prepare versions of entrees we all want to eat but don't know how to prepare without destroying our diets. Not only are these recipes quick and low-fat, but they allow for good-size portions and are filling. The recipes also use easy-to-find, ordinary ingredients, so you don't have to spend time hunting for things you've never heard of at the gourmet store. Worth the money!