Equipment Books

This is the bible of Platinum and Palladium printing. The second edition has two or three significant additions over the first edition. It has a quick start chapter to get that first print out. Yes, the book is very technical in some of its treatment of the material - and that is the reason you will go back to it again and again. But the process is fairly straightforward in its essence and working through the steps to get that first print clarifies much of the material to come later on. Second, I think the material covering Palladium printing with the Na2 contrast control method is essential knowledge today. It's surprising the more I've read of the history of Platino/Palladio processes how much information was lost that had to be "discovered" again. Third, there is a strong treatment on the effect of paper choice and characteristics of some papers (at least one of which is no longer being made since the second edition came out) that can help you understand how to find appropriate papers for other alternative processes. Finally, the appendices from different authors provide viewpoints of the process that round out treatment of the subject. Mark Nelson's chapter on digital negatives touches the surface of what has become my primary method for contact printing not only the Platinum and Palladium prints, but traditional silver as well as other alternative processes.

Highly recommended for any student of photography interested in mastering one of the most beautiful processes for printmaking.

It goes directly to the important topic, speaking to the photographer with previous knowledge. A book for the professional.

I think the previous review of this book pretty much summed things up rather well. I bought this book with minimal to no knowledge of the platinum and palladium printing processes. After having read the book several times now (not because it's hard to understand, but because it's so well done), I feel I've gained a very good handle on the basics of the process, and the information provided is given in such a way as to give you both the kind of knowledge needed to start making your first prints as well as the kind of knowledge needed to refine and grow into the process. I tend to be a very analytical thinkier, and the way the book is organized appeals to my thought patterns. If you're more of a romantic (as opposed to classical) thinker, though, the large amounts of numbers-based technical info may seem a little discouraging. Even if you are, though, I must highly recommend this book, as I think it must be the single most comprehensive and well-produced book on the subject.

Platinum/Palladium printing has "Wizard of Oz-like" mystique and a sense of mysterious alchemy beyond most photographic processes, but don't fret, it's not that difficult to get started. After my personal hands-on introduction (thank you, William Laven), Dick Arentz provides both the simple path to getting started, and then details comprehensive areas of specialty which he makes pretty helpful sense of. If you are already familiar with Platinum/Palladium, there is enough which has been pioneered in the recent several decades to allow a refresher for old photography hounds. For those starting out, just get the basic kit, read through the core sections of the book several times, then follow the three (3) pages of Chapter 6 - "The First Print". Once you have produced a few Palladium prints, cruise Chapter 7 - "Calibration" which provides a nice mental snack. Then move on to Chapter 8 - "The Platinum and Palladium Print", where having gotten past the panic of getting started, you can actually work out your basic functional understanding of the process. Like when that adult helped you launch on your first bike ride, suddenly you will be moving on your own and starting to get in the groove of the process.

For the silver old-timers, the sensitometry chapter and discussion of Pyro developers will really come into play as you confront the issues of "do I have to choose between making negatives for Platinum or silver ..." Pyro can play equally well in both environments, and was very liberating when I realized that I had a rich path of negative making without conflicts ahead of me. Pyro is an opportunity to evolve once again during this lifetime.

I use 8x10 for my serious work, and with standard films and papers going the way of the buffalo, I now understand what I need to do to use this remarkable process without being on a completely dead-end path.

There are several major advantages to gaining an ability to print Platinum/Palladium:
1. They can't discontinue the product! When you put a small number of drops of specific chemistry in a little cup, evenly coat the paper, expose it to UV light, slip the print into developer for two minutes, clear in three baths for 5 minutes each and then wash - it's like discoving fire as a tool. Pretty basic stuff, but very thrilling!
2. No fixer fumes.
3. You can work with the lights on.
4. You don't need a completely tweaked out darkroom in order to work - a simple space can be transformed into a miracle production facility.
5. It's fun.
6. The prints are beautiful. It will take time to figure it out, gain a vocabulary with the materials and get solid with your workflow, but Dick's book will hold your hand as you take the path towards a new, fruitful printing adventure.

Enthusiasm may inspire you to purchase other books, but this one can get you started successfully, and at the same time, it will provide plenty of sustenance as you grow. Or if you are already knowledgeable, there's plenty to chew on. If you are too advanced and find anything to be critical about in this book, write your own and share it with us!

If it still seems overwhelming to get started, find some fellow photo adventurer so that you can try it out together. Pulling prints on hand coated paper which are archivally stable, have long scale and beautiful physical presence, well, it could make an old dog thrilled about photography again, or simply inspire a newbee with a very remarkable way to make stunning prints. There are challenges, and there are plenty of mysteries, but if you have large format negatives hanging around, or you are boo-hoo-hooing that conventional photography is dying, being replaced by digital, this book will help dry those tears. Get going and happy printing!

This book covers platinum and palladium printing in a very logical, thorough manner. If you have never done Pt/Pd, you will get all the introduction necessary to buy a kit and get started. If you have done some, you can move on fairly quickly to the more advanced topics in the book, and get more out of your printing sessions.

The printing method in this book is not for everyone. The methodology in the book is fairly numerically based, and if you like to work by instinct and intuition, this may not be the right approach for you. However, the discussions of available papers, chemical use and hazzards, and other resources listed in the book are worth the price of admission alone, not to mention the exquisite photographs reproduced in duotone.

The photographs are quite inspirational; Arentz is clearly a master image-maker from the printing perspective, as well as having an eye for composition and subject.

There are other books on platinum printing out there (most notably by Weese and Sullivan) but this book is the one resource I keep going back to again and again.

I learnt refrigeration from the 1961 edition of Principles of Refrigeration. So when I was asked to instruct junior staff members in this subject this book came to mind. I purchased one copy to see how it handles SI as well as imperial units and then purchased another six for the students. As always Amazon provided an excellent service.

In understanding the refrigeration cycle, Roy Dossat had 25 years in the field before teaching at the University of Houston. I was fortunate to attend the course taught by him in the 70's. It showed the man had much to offer even to the less experienced technician who needed to start on the basics. This book is easy to understand and a nice read for those who need answers to the complicated use of refrigerant and applications that drive the business. Refrigerant application is in constant change as environmental demands alter our lives. This book is a fundamental foundation and should be on the reference shelf of all engineers and technicians that want a straight foward understanding of the refrigeration cycle. debien@flash.net

This is the best refrigeration book in the market, highly technical but still easy to understand, come with a very good explanation about food preservation methods and spoilage factors, the refrigeration aspect are deep, slightly conceptual but mostly practical, a most have for anyone that want to gain true understanding of refrigeration and thermodynamics.

A great reference book for all HVAC technicians,interested in the entery-level refrigeration repair area .Relates the basics,in full detail.An excellent review of refrigeration hardware and applied principles.Rather than guessing at the chapter questions ,it does have an answer-checker,to verify your homework.Although,I don't think you would want to carry this around,in your trunk.It's a good library study-guide and for trouble-shooting residential refrigetaion non-operations.

This book covers all the details! I use this book everyday as refrence material. It covers everything from the basics, but also gets into complicated 2 stage design, and other design areas. From A-Z this book has it. If you are a refrigeration Engineer/ Operator this is a must for the text collection.

I bought this book to learn more about the Real Photo Postcards I had become addicted to buying. It is full of the history of postcards, photography and the combination of the two in the form of Real Photo Postcards. It has excellent resources in the appendixes to help you date your cards. I have used the book to date my postcards, include informational background for lesson plans (I teach a writing workshop using RPPCs, and to give me context when I creatively write fiction with the real Photo Postcards.

Beautifully written, this all inclusive text will enchant all levels of deltiologists (real photo collectors et al)with an excellent in-depth study of the photographer-generated postcard. Well illustrated, this oversized edition reads like a novel: it's very difficult to put down. As a long-time collector, I learned more from this book than all others on the topic No use to take a college level course in real photo: its right between these pages. Definitely 5* & well worth the investment. Bravo to Bogden!

This comprehensive reference book is a must-have" for collectors of real photo postcards or for anyone starting out collecting.
It provides information and examples on how postcards document our history.
Very well done.
I'm very happy to have it.

In the thirty five years of collecting postcards, with real photo post cards my speciality, there has never been a good book, until now covering this subject.

This book of 274 pages covers all aspects of what one would ever wish to know about this form of collectiing. Major chapter headings are: Introduction, Fundamentals, Photographers & Careers, Dimensions of Desirability,Collecting Categories, Objects to Treasure, Sitting in the Graveyard & Conclusion. Each chapter has many subdivisions, very well marked in the table of contents by page number. At the end is a very complete appendix & index. Being on the subject of photographs there are naturally a great number, totaling around 270.

The only reason I did not rate this 5 star is that the quality of the photo reproduction is not in keeping with the tremendous efforts the authors have put into this book. Though the photos are O.K., with todays technology, I feel the publisher let the authors down.

Collectors have been waiting a long time for a book like this, & I very much doubt that there is more to be said on this subject. The authors are to be congradulated on a job well done.

Photo postcard collectors and fans of photo postcard art have plenty to enjoy in REAL PHOTO POSTCARD GUIDE: THE PEOPLE'S PHOTOGRAPHY. Such art dominated the U.S. Photo market during the first third of the 20th century, but until now hasn't received a comprehensive coverage. The authors have plumbed archives and conducted original research to cover photo postcard history, art, and specifics on dating and preserving a collection. Over three hundred photo postcards from archives and private collections across the country display a fine range of black and white images. Any serious photography library or collector's handbook holding must have this.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

One of the best volumes I've come across in the field of sound synthesis on personal computers. Provides a solid introduction to this field for those who wish to create sound on a PC (as opposed to play back previously- recorded sound).

This is not a book that introduces and uses signal processing concepts for the sake of itself. Instead, the goal of the book is to create sounds, learn the tools and theory behind creating such sounds, and grasp the essentials of many sophisticated physical modeling concepts in particular. The book is quite thin, but don't let this fool you. The author chose to leave out quite a few details so that this did not turn into another 1000 page treatise on computer music. Thus some basic topics in signals, systems, and filter design are not fleshed out to their fullest extent. To this end, the book has an extensive reference section so that if you are unfamiliar with a particular physics or DSP topic, you can research it yourself.

Chapter 1 briefly establishing the fundamentals of digital audio, and includes an introduction to the basics of quantization, compression, and Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM) sampling. Chapter 2 investigates sound synthesis starting with wavetable synthesis. In chapter 3, digital filters are introduced. Included is a concise but clear introduction to Linear Time Invariant (LTI) systems, convolution, Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filters, Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filters, and Z transforms. The chapter culminates in an introduction to the BiQuad filter.

Chapter 4, which deals with modal synthesis, acts as a stepping-stone to the frequency domain, leading to chapter 5's discussion of the Fourier Transform. This chapter examines Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), fast convolution, and Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT), and ends with examples of applications.

Chapters 6, 7, and 8 delve deeper into synthesis/analysis concepts such as Linear Predictive Coding (LPC), spectral modeling, additive/subtractive synthesis, noise signals, and inharmonicity, using the frequency domain techniques learned in previous chapters. You'll hardly turn a page without an accompanying picture or block diagram, a particularly valuable feature of this book.

Chapter 9 explores the physical modeling concepts of string vibrations and stiff bars. Modeling algorithms are introduced using basic physics perspectives centered around the familiar string, mass, and damper paradigms first introduced in chapter 4. Here again, rather than bombarding the reader with tons of equations, Mr. Cook explains ideas mainly through diagrams, sound examples, and block diagrams, which is very helpful for the software implementation of algorithms. The ready-to-compile C++ code for this section included on the CD-ROM provide models of a plucked string (Plucked.cpp), a mandolin (Mandolin.cpp), and a bowed string (Bowed.cpp).

In Chapter 11, Tubes and Air Cavities, the author introduces more models while leaving detailed mathematical derivations of equations for the appendix. He concludes chapter 11 with "Building and Blowing a Bottle Model", and includes code and sound examples, as usual. Going into chapter 12, more complex, higher dimensional models are introduced, with the traditional mass-spring model in the context of a meshed membrane starting off the chapter.

Chapter 13 introduces modeling and synthesizing particle interaction. Some of the topics covered include Formant Wave Functions (FOFs) for voice synthesis, single particle models, multi-particle systems, and statistical multi-particle systems such as a simple maraca model, implemented in less than 30 lines of C code with an accompanying block diagram.

Chapter 14 deals with the subtleties of exciting and controlling sound models. For example, Mr. Cook discusses the differences between exciting a string with a plectrum as opposed to using the fleshy part of the thumb. He also shows some fascinating effects of the striking conditions of the Tibetan prayer bowl, which exhibits very different spectra as a function of strike-direction while keeping strike-point constant. Other topics discussed include bowing, scraping, and frictional issues in synthesis. MIDI, OSC (Open Sound Control), and other standards for sound and multimedia control are also briefly examined.

Chapter 15 walks the reader through a complete system called PhOLISE (Physically Oriented Library of Interactive Sound Effects) that could possibly be applied to areas such as gaming, animation, and sound effects in film production. The five sections of the appendix go into greater detail regarding proofs, derivations, and properties of topics such as DFT properties, zero-padding, proof of fast convolution, and ideal string behaviors.

After you grasp the contents of this book, you might want to read "The Physics of Musical Instruments" and use some of Mr. Cook's techniques to synthesize the numerical models explained in that book.

"Real Sound Synthesis for Interactive Applications" by Perry R. Cook describes elementary and advanced techniques to simulate the audio components of dynamic systems using physics. While the book is not specifically directed toward game development, the application to game development is clear. The book's organization of the major themes covered is easily to follow through three sections that detail digital audio, sound modeling, and simulation of real world instruments. The book spans sixteen chapters and appendices totaling 248 pages.

The first section (chapters 1-3) defines digital audio, compression, wave synthesis, and simple filtering techniques. The chapters form the foundation for the later sections and define the common asset formats and techniques currently used in games. Cook emphases that key components of sound manipulation are the sampling rate and quantization of the source audio. The text demonstrates how sounds with higher sampling rates allow for greater manipulation with fewer artifacts but incur a greater computational cost.

The second section (chapters 4-8) introduces sound modeling through simplified physical systems, such as an ideal spring, and Fourier series equations. While an understanding of college physics and calculus is helpful (especially if you'd like to code these methods), the book doesn't require it or bog down in theory or mathematical proofs. (For those interested in the details, they are provided in the appendices). The concepts described in this section are critical in creating computer sound models that represent real world objects.

The last section (chapters 7-16) provides physics equations that allow for the simulation of real world instruments (string instruments, tubes, and multi-dimensional objects). Each chapter describes a different system based on Fourier construction, filtering, and physics-based equations. It's the heart of the book and most interesting. The background in the two previous sections is essential to fully grasp the concepts Cook defines here.

Throughout each chapter, Cook couples clear concise writing with a touch of humor and illustrative diagrams. Cook provides a good initial foundation as the topics covered gradually build in complexity. The clean organizational layout made it easy for me to refer back to previous sections when I felt the need. In many cases, however, I found the writing to be a little too condensed and wished for a paragraph describing a concept rather than the sentence provided. Cook does supply references at the end of each chapter for those readers seeking additional detail.

The book also includes a CD containing audio samples of the topics discussed throughout the book. While reading the book, it was useful to be able to hear the point or technique made in the text. The CD also contains Cook's sound synthesis toolkit and several examples of instruments highlighted in the last section.

Unfortunately in current development, real-time sound synthesis in games has a limited place. Due to the complex calculations of Fourier series, fast digital signal processor chips are required to simulate the audio effects without impacting the rest of the game. Minimally, filters and other simple routines outlined in the book can be written for target hardware to accomplish specialized effects but this is nothing radically new.

However, Cook's research in simulating audio is extremely exciting. During the calculation of an object's dynamic behavior (such as collision response, striking, falling, moving, etc.) a minimal additional amount of time can be spent to determine the audio effects. According to Cook's findings, this amount is generally less than 5% of the total time required to simulate an object's physical behavior. Admittedly, these calculations are on the order of minutes versus milliseconds but eventually Moore's Law will catch up and simplifications will allow unparalleled audio effects in conjunction with physical simulation.

Developers and sound designers interested in the math and physics of creating real-time sounds should pick up this book. Those interested in a fascinating look at the mechanisms of dynamically producing sound might also want to give it a read provided it's with the understanding that the direct applicability to games is at least few years away.

Are you a pretty good C++ programmer? Have you ever wanted to have your computer output sounds like footsteps or musical instruments that (a) sound real and (b) are continuously responsive to the user's control? Did you discover that it was basically impossible to do it by stitching together prerecorded samples, and you couldn't think of any other way to do it?

If so, Perry Cook has written just the book you have been looking for. In 250 pages, Cook explains everything, from the basics of digital filtering to the major alternatives for generating sounds: additive and subtractive synthesis, FM synthesis, and -- the real focus of the book -- physical modeling. Not only that, the accompanying CD-ROM includes lots of sound examples and the Synthesis ToolKit -- a pretty much platform-independent set of C++ classes and algorithms for writing your own code.

Not everything is perfect. Just as the first version of any program contains some bugs, the first printing of any book that uses mathematics contains some errors. In particular, typos in Appendix A could be very frustrating if this is your first exposure to Fourier analysis. (You might want to check Cook's web site for a promised list of errata and code updates.) And don't let the fact that the book is short, attractively produced, very well organized, unusually clear, and entertainingly written lead you to believe that you can master it in a weekend. Although Cook tries his best to make the underlying mathematics unintimidating, there is no getting around the fact that there are some rather deep concepts from wave physics and signals-and-systems theory behind what he has to say.

The good news is that the effort is richly repaid. Not only will you be able to write programs that can generate controllable sounds in real time, but you will develop insight into how physical instruments produce their distinctive sounds, and you will understand the basics of both the standard and the most advanced techniques that have been developed to model them. Highly recommended.

This book is useful, enlightening, and fun. It covers many cutting-edge topics in lucid fashion, topics that can only be found otherwise in academic journals. The computer code (in the book and on the CD-ROM) is an invaluable resource for the ambitious reader, who can actually try out or modify the techniques. The CD-ROM also provides examples of these new techniques in action. Finally, the author's sense of humor comes through often (this is not a stiff, boring book!).

As a "digital-sound-artist" and someone who teaches this stuff at the university level, I highly recommend this book not only to those who want to learn about the most recent work going on in sound synthesis, but to those who want another perspective on more familiar topics (like the basics of PCM, fourier analysis, basic digital filtering, etc....).

Absolutely awesome graphics. Text is a sort of summary of other books of Turnbull. Anyway this book is very interesting, expecially for "rookies".

The Samurai - in modern society, it's a shallow shell of what it formerly was - exaggeratedly awesome warriors capable of sundering tanks in two with there swords. But who were the real Samurai? "The Samurai Swordsman: Master of War" is an examination of the true Samurai, who dominated Japan during its feudal era, much like Knights once dominated Europe. Going deep into the nature of Samurai as complex individuals and not just swords with legs, it looks at everything - the Samurai statesman, the Samurai artist, and more. Enhanced with full color paintings throughout, "The Samurai Swordsman: Master of War" is highly recommended for community library history and art collections and for anyone who has always had a fascination with this warrior caste.

I have read most of the way through, and am *very* happy with this book. The text is engaging and full of interesting facts and anecdotes, the abundant illustrations make for an excellent collection of Japanese art, and the author's command of the subject matter is apparent. This is one I will read through several times.

I'm not certain why the "Samurai" bug bites readers but in my case I lived outside Yokohama, Japan, on the Kanto Plain for 25 months between October, 1962, and December, 1964. (Please see also my review of Oliver Statler's early 1960's book, "Japanese Inn" for additional detail of this area).

Living only a stone's throw from the ancient Tokaido Road, once capital city Kamakura, and medieval Odawara castle, among many other sites, caused me to this very day to have an avocational interest for Japan in general and the Samurai in specific.

I have several of Stephen Turnbull's books, feeling him to be very well versed in all aspects of this field to the point of being a notable expert in that area. The term "expert" is bandied about these days oft times without substance or merit, but in Mr. Turnbull's case it is well justified.

This particular book is one I purchased a year ago, and for the price was very pleased with its content. Should one look into it a reader would find it a good, comprehensive guide to the Japanese warriors known as 'samurai'. There are specific armor and weaponry illustrations and descriptions, as well as four "see-through vellum sections" where each layer of clothing and protective armour offers insight into the dress of these warriors. The text flows evenly and can readily be understood. Should the reader be new to this area of study this volume would easily serve as a great introductory volume.

This oversize book is amply illustrated in color, and in 256 pages offers magnificently "the story of Japan's great warriors".

Semper Fi.

This book would serve as an excellent introduction to someone who has read little or nothing on the samurai; it covers their history from the days of the Yayoi tribesmen to their overthrow during the Meiji Restoration, and provides much readable detail on their culture, organization, religious beliefs, armor, clothing, and most interestingly, the full range of their deadly arsenal.

Though I have maintained a strong interest in the samurai for several years and have read many books on them, I still learned some things from this book (notably that they used axes in battle, as well as clubs and maces). Anything by Stephen Turnbull can be pretty much guaranteed to be well worth one's money. In short, this book would be especially good for beginners but worthwhile for veterans of Japanese military history as well.

Hi, I was planning on buying this book, but happened to see it at the Wichita Public Library. The book is full of old pictures, both of the forts while in use, and from the 1960's when the bood was written. The amount of data is great, and the book itself is well written. The book is written at medium level, enough detail so that you understand why the forts are built like they were, but not so much that you fall asleep. I have visited Fort MacArthur in Los Angeles and Fort Morgan near Mobile Alabama, so I have seen examples of the book's subject.
Mike

Ray Lewis has provided a super walk through the history of seacoast artillery in America. Nobody has done it better.

A wonderfully written book that will interest anyone that has visited one, or more of the many old forts up and down the East Coast of the United States. This book will be extremely fascinating to anyone with the least bit of curiosity about old forts. The author is very knowledgable about the subject matter and does a brilliant job of conveying information in a way that makes it understandable to an amateur, while still being insightful to a professional in the field of coastal fortification history.

This is the only book which attempts to provide an overview of the history of seacoast fortification in the U.S. Although general in nature, it is a superb reference in regard to the evolution of coastal fortification. It contains many excellent photographs of representative fortifications. A must have for those interested in military fortifications, particularly those of the U.S

In the thirty years since this book was published, one always hoped another would equal or surpass it. None has, or perhaps ever will. It is a marvelous history of the Forts along the American Seacoast, both Atlantic and Pacific, and even the Phillipines. Any Fort enthusiast MUST read this book. The author captures so much information, so many views, so much perspective in so few pages, the book is breathtaking. It is easily the finest book on its chosen subject, which is why it never goes out of print. If Forts interest you, Read it. Period.

The photographs from the author's collection, the army's files, the National Archives, etc. are worth its price. But the text, the clear delineation of the periods of Fort Building since 1794 in the US, and the differentiation of the periods, are so worth while.

Ray manages to be both terse, and pithy. It is a great tribute to any author to say that.

This is a MUST read for anyone interested in the subject, even one only interested in their own local Fort, and how it relattes to the defense plans of the United States when it was built.

There is NO better book to read on the subject. None.

What use is a Web site if no one uses it? Too many Web design books and development tools provide cut-and-paste solutions to design problems without providing the developer with an understanding of fundamental principles.

This is where Dr. Badre's book enters the scene - in a big way. "Shaping Web Usability" does just what it promises, providing clear, cogent instruction in designing sites for people in all their needs and diversity. It promotes a robust methodology for Web design that can adapt to user requirements without sacrificing logic or cohesion. Badre's process also helps one communicate methodology and design issues to others. This book gave me the grounding I needed to explain to clients exactly why I had made a particular design decision and how it would benefit the site users.

If you are concerned about your site being used once it is published (and who isn't?), take a look at this book. It can't make your Web site for you, but it can help you identify and satisfy an online audience better than any other book on the shelves.

Dr. Badre has written an interesting work which thoughtfully examines two important concepts: genre and cultural context. In addition to plenty of solid HCI theory and empirical data, Dr. Badre provides clear examples of how close attention to the genre of one's site and the cultural context in which it is most likely to be viewed will provide a more useful and pleasurable experience for the user. With these simple and powerful concepts, Dr. Badre provides some excellent guidance to new and experienced website designers.

This book is unlike many other web usability books. It goes well beyond the cookie-cutter guidelines for fast web usability, and gets the reader thinking deeply about contexts of web usability. It focuses on the real important issues and concepts. However, it is not an abstract or theoretical book. The author illustrates the concepts and explanations with numerous real examples from the web. This book is a must read for web designers, information architects, and web usability engineers.

This is a serious work on Web Usability that attempts to define in detail the user context and to construct a user-centred methodology based on that context.

There are so many books on web usability these days and most of them are about web pages first and people second. Doctor Badre's approach, though, is firmly grounded on the human side of HCI and some of the material in this book is outstanding.

The chapter on "Older Adults" is a great example. Badre is fastidious enough to consider the different cognitive needs of people in this group and to consider the implications of those needs for the designer. Elsewhere he considers personality variations, the role of affect (or emotion), and many other individual differences.

In contrast, however, Badre has a strong leaning toward standards and predictability, which seems to contradict his comments elsewhere. Having identified the myriad reasons the web audience is uniquely diverse he nevertheless finds traditional HCI evaluation techniques attractive, and sometimes fails to bite the bullet.

For example, Badre insists that "Testing conditions ... should approximate the actual situation in which ...visitors are likely to find themselves." Yet he does not display any distrust of laboratory testing, questionnaires and all the artificialities of user testing that would suggest a more ethnographic approach.

The material on the test methodology is therefore somewhat weaker, but does not detract in any way from the main part of the book, where Dr Badre's experience in Human Factors allows him to illustrate with considerable skill the way design features can be adjusted to meet the cognitive abilities of real human users. In this arena, Dr. Badre is a leading authority, and it is for this, the main body of the work, that I would strongly recommend this book to web and usability professionals alike.

Clear and rigorous, Dr. Badre's book is an essential resource for the serious Web practitioner. Going beyond the usual lists of do's and don'ts, he gives the reader a strong grounding in the field of usability and how its principles apply to the Web. Web designers and implementors who read Shaping Web Usability will not only know what to do, but why -- so they can respond successfully to new and complex design challenges.

First and Last stop for WW II U.S. Army Air Force uniform information !

Only book of its kind I could find. Referred to me by a true expert in WW2 Army Air Corp flight ware, patches and pins. I found it not only complete, factual and full of information but very personal at times;

Glynn Furr..

For collectors of WWII wings and related insignia, this is an outstanding reference guide. Normally, reference books on wings contain errors relating to the wings period of manufacture, however the author is on the mark each time. The photographs are excellent, including a short section on hallmarks. Highly recommended!!

This is the best reference book that I have found so far for identification and history of USAF wings. A book like this pays for itself the first time you use it as a buyer, seller, or collector.

I am 2LT Jesse Irwin Carnes [USAF-CAP, 16010th Composite Squadron]. I REALLY recommend this book by Jon Maguire, i.e., "Silver Wings, Pinks and Greens." Anyone who is SERIOUS about collecting WWII militaria, especially uniforms, pilot's wings, etc., then THIS book is SINE QUA NON ... it is indispensable.

So, how is it SO indispensable? It helps you know WHAT to look for when you collect militaria from this genre. It helps you to develop an "eye" for what is correct in authentic items.

Secondly, Jon Maguire's descriptions enable you to KNOW what WIEGHT or colour or texture a GENUINE article should be.

Any suggestions for a "Revised" edition by Maguire? He might want to add a 1-2 page writeup on the "Best-of-the-best" militaria items, such as A-2 flight jackets by "RoughWear" [no longer in business] or uniforms [and especially officer's visor service caps] by the inimitable "Luxenberg" [also no longer in business] and so forth.

Secondly, sometimes his foto light was a shade deviant, so that the reddish-russet officer's officer's shoes looked more tan-brown. How do I know? I own an "NOS" [new old stock] pair of UNissued officer's low quarters. They are a burnt-orange reddish-brown, like some of the early war visor service caps.

I also own a full set of officer's PINKS, and under flourescent light, they look mauve/pink. His fotos looked more khaki.

But this can be improved in time. Nonetheless, this book rates 5 stars for EFFORT and for its overall USEFULLness.

BTW, if Jon Maguire reads this, can he write me for suggestions and queries?

thanx ;

*salute*

2LT Jesse Irwin Carnes

As a longtime Alaskan, I feel fortunate to have had both Doug and Jill in many courses. The book Snow sense is now the required reading material for all Nat'l Ski Patrol avalanche courses, and rightly so. I read it at the begining of every season. True avalanche professionals. If you ever have the chance, come to Alaska and take one of their courses.

Used by avalanche professionals as a base for avalanche education classes. Small size but HUGE on concise information for learning to recognize, evaluate, and avoid potential avalanche hazards.

"Here's a book you should have. I know, I know, everybody says that but this is different. This book lays out what avalanches are and how they happen, and it will save your life. Now notice I didn't say this is a book you should have on your bookshelf. This one should be in the top pocket of your pack. Simply put,"Snow Sense" is a pocket guide to safe snow travel, whether you're hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing, or mountaineering in high risk areas.

Avalanches don't simply explode out of nowhere. The ones that kill people are usually started by the victims. This book will teach you that such catastrophes are avoidable. You can learn to recognize and evaluate avalanche hazards. You can learn to "read" the snowpack, "read" the mountains, and save your skin. "Snow Sense" is a hands-on, explicit, clear-thinking, hard-hitting field guide that teaches you how. By studying the book's "bulls-eye" clues to snowpack stability, hardness tests, shear block tests, weather analysis, simple physics, and hazard checklists, you'll come away with all you need to know about avalanches and how to avoid being caught by one.

Read it once. Read it again. Take it into the field and practice the skills it teaches. Every time I hear of another avalanche-caused death in the Rockies, I wish the victim had read this book. The survivors must read it.

"Avalanches are not acts of God. This valuable book details how to read terrain, snowpack, and weather variables to determine the possiblities of avalanche and how to save yourself in case of one.

"Jill Fredston and Doug Fesler are the best avalanche instructors in North America, period. No other teachers have more credibility or put as much effort into the curriculum, presentation, and teaching methods...Their book "Snow Sense" is by far the best material available on staying alive in avalanche country."

Just as "HMS Victory" was never decommissioned and has become the longest serving warship in any country's navy!, so there is a fully serviceable RAF Spitfire still operational with the Royal Air Force in the UK.

Anyone who has an interest in aircraft cannot fail to admire the Spitfire. There is something about that combination of genius of design coupled with the simplest of names which spells out legend. In this book, author Alfred Price has done the Spitfire justice and no reader could possibly be disappointed with the resultant work.

About the same size as a telephone directory - and just about as thick, we are treated to page after page of fact and photograph. Each section adds it's own part to a story which slowly unfolds from the very beginning of this aircraft - an aircraft, incidentally which was originally designed purely to win the Schneider Trophy!, right through World War Two and beyond.

With important contributions made by not only those who flew them in wartime, but also from those who were on the receiving end as well, I consider this to be an outstanding record of a single type of aircraft which is probably unmatched anywhere.

Five stars are not enough for this excellent work.

NM

Once again, Price has produced a winner. If you want to learn something about one of the greatest planes of WWII you won't go wrong purchasing this book.

Dr. Price gives an excellent account (and photos!) of the rare spitfires that you can't find in other books. Great reference for modelers and other enthusiasts. I particularly appreciated the many photos of the "Speed Spitfire" and many interim prototypes not typical to any mark number. (I am referring to the second edition -- the author added new material that had come out of the woodwork after the first edition.) The author is also kind enough to caption photos with the plane's code so that a modeler need not wonder what number is hiding behind a fuel truck, mechanic, parked plane, under a shadow or whatever. Money well spent.

This is a good technically detailed book on the development and production of the various Supermarine Spitfires. Numerous photographs of forerunners, prototypes, and modifications provide details on the differences or changes from version to version. Although the printing is very good, a handful of the source photographs are not the best quality. This is generally understandable, but in a small number of cases there would seem to be other options, including photographing examples in museums.
The text is easy to read and flows well enough so that it can be read like a novel. In fact, some of the passages are so good and intriguing, the reader is compelled to continue into the next chapter. Each chapter includes supporting documents, whether memos between the designers and factory or the factory and the RAF, or official RAF evaluations of prototypes undergoing testing.
The author is very proud of the fact he has obtained access to memos previously unknown to exist and extensive time with Jeffrey Quill, one of the test pilots directly involved in the development. In fact, the constant references to Quill and quotes from him at times can cause the reader to wonder whether wartime England had other test pilots.
The only real drawback is that the author makes some emphatic statements about minor historical controversies. He declares one interpretation to be "wrong," without providing any supporting evidence or explaining the opposing views. This only occurs a few times, but it is noticeable and leaves the reader wondering what the controversy was, what the "other side" believes, and what the evidence indicates.
Still, if a little opinionated and somewhat overly dependent on one first-hand source, the publishing of the source memos, summaries of their significance, and Quill's remarks are critical to preserving the history. The book is a very important and complete reference that any Spitfire enthusiast, modeler, or aviation/World War II history buff will want.
The book is published in England, and North American buyers might find better availability or pricing at amazon.co.uk than in the US.

This is by far the most detailed Spitfire book in my collection ( and I have quite a few! ). This excellent work gives a very comprehensive, mark by mark history of the Spitfire's development. Each chapter details the development of a given variant, including the background to that marks genesis, descriptions of combat, and overall impact upon the air war. Moreover, Alfred Price's eloquent text makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read and never makes his subject "dry". Greatest of importance, the appendices following the chapters give by far the MOST detailed performance information I've yet seen in any Spitfire tome ( or any other book on combat aircraft ). The data includes not just the common "top speed" and "rate of climb" information which is so often quoted, but also gives the top speeds and rates of climb at varying altitudes, as well as the critical "time to height" data up to the planes service ceiling. Detailed combat comparisons with various Axis & Allied types are also included! This is the sort of information which the dedicated aviation buff always desires to see in a book of this sort, but all too often we are dissapointed. This is the big exception! An absolute MUST have for any fan of the Spitfire in all it's many guises! The general and WW2 aviation buff should not miss out on this work either. Truely Outstanding!