Field Books

I recently bought Engineering Electromagnetics (second edition) by Nathan Ida. It has since become my favourite book on the subject, along with Field and Wave Electromagnetics (second edition) by Cheng. I own six electromagnetics books, of which the two best known are the one by Cheng (aforementioned) and Electromagnetics with Applications by Kraus (sixth edition). I now compare these three books, referring to them as Ida, Cheng, and Kraus.

Firstly, all three books are good. All three are of similar level, suitable for EE undergraduates. (Ida and Cheng use matrices wherever appropriate, but Kraus never uses matrices, not even to simplify the discussion.) All three books display personal enthusiasm for the subject-matter. For example, Ida provides many interesting historical footnotes.

Secondly, Ida has 1235 pages whereas Cheng has 703 and Kraus has 617. It is tempting to attribute this to the fact that Ida tends to explain things with more words (something which I appreciate), but this is not the case because this would not account for more than 10 percent of the total book size. The true reason for the book's length is the in-depth discussion of theory, and the many many applications of the theory. In effect, it combines the best of Cheng (which is good for principles) and the best of Kraus (which is okay for applications). Ida actually far exceeds Kraus in many important applications, e.g. transformers, Smith chart, and numerical methods for boundary-value problems.

Thirdly, all three books are generous in providing answers to end-of-chapter problems. Ida goes one step further by giving answers to ALL problems except a handful of discussion-type questions. Moreover, the problems are categorized under headings so that you can zero in on an area of interest. For example, the chapter on antennas has 36 problems, categorized under the following boldface headings: Hertzian dipole (4 problems), magnetic dipole (2), linear antennas of arbitrary length (2), half-wave dipole antenna (2), various length dipole antennas (3), monopole antenna (5), two-element image antennas (6), n-element linear array (6), reciprocity and receiving antennas (4), and radar (2).

It is noteworthy that most the Amazon.com reviewers say that this is the best book ever on electromagnetics. I am inclined to agree with them.

It's a greatest book that I have ever read on Electromagnetics.
It will be very competible with the Book of Balanis named Advanced Engineering Electromagnetics.
Really Great.

This is really the best book on electromagnetics I've seen until now. It is very complete and very practical. The author has a clear style and the students can follow the text almost without any help from the teacher. There are a lot of review questions and problems (all with answers). It is really a great value book !

This is really the best book on electromagnetics I've seen until now. It is very complete and very practical. The author has a clear style and the students can follow the text almost without any help from the teacher. There are a lot of review questions and problems (all with answers). It is really a great value book !

This is a very, very good text for students new to electromagnetics. Mr. Ida uses lengthy, descriptive narratives to describe the important concepts in introductory field theory, and he goes the extra mile in making sure the student understands what these concepts mean. He accomplishes this through exemplary conceptual discussions and a collection of excellent example problems. His thoroughness justifies the 1200 page length of the text.

There is really nothing bad to say about this book, besides that the figures are obviously drawn by Mr. Ida or an assistant and are occasionally more difficult to read than figures drawn by a professional illustrator. In several examples, it also appears that the students solving the problems for Ida used a table of integrals instead of integrating the functions themselves; in several examples this resulted in more work than would have been required by straightforward integration methods.

I found this book to be an excellent overview of Falcony. It has a good section describing the different types of raptors suitable for the sport, and some interesting descriptions and drawings relating to training and equipment. However, I would not attempt to use this book as a "how-to" manual. It doesn't have nearly enough detail on any subject. In places it can be a little difficult to follow. I am pleased with my copy and will be happy to add it to my library.

This is a great little book. Frank Beebe packs all the essential information around hawk training into this book, drawing on decades of practical experience and research. Beebe writes with the authority of someone who has actually practised what he is preaching, rather than some authors who seem to have written a falconry book for the sake of personal aggrandizement. He also writes in excellent English, almost with an academic eloquence.

He deals with all three classes of falconry birds: buteos, accipiters and falcons, and draws very useful comparisons between them on temperament, character and hunting application.

Note however that the book is mostly a training manual, and with the exception of a very interesting chapter on the history of falconry regulation in the US, it about trapping, furniture and hunting. If you want a book with detail on hawk care, dog training, breeding and housing then choose another one (I recommend Emma Ford's for all except breeding and dogs, Nick Fox's for the former and Diana Durman-Walters' for the latter). Note also that its a North American text - the chapters on trapping and bagged quarry are of no use to a UK falconer.

This is an excellent book for people who are intrested in falconry. At one time falconry was the sport of the noble gentry. This book does a real service in describing these intelligent, beautiful birds of prey and how falconers work with them.

A must have for prospective falconers.

This book has very good information for beginners who are a little confused. A very good profiling on individual species. Also good section on equipment. I found it very informative and worthwhile the price.

I am relatively new to the world of falconry. As a result, I am reading just about everything I get my hands on. Frank Beebe is an undisputed master on the subject of falconry. I found that Mr. Beebe's style of writing, presents the information in a very easy to read & understand format. After having read this book, it convinced me that I should order his major work entitled "A Compleat Falconer". I am certain that it is most probably "The Bible" for falconry. An excellent book by an excellent author.

An excellent read. The author obviously thoroughly researched his subject, which results in an informative and entertaining novel. Highly recommended!!

Fallow's Field is a captivating story about Ned Fallow, a youngster who lives on a Ketchum, Texas farm. His character is molded by a grandfather who must replace Ned's father and uncle who die during a devastating storm. His grandfather's death and more misfortunes cause Ned to become a dedicated loner. When his mother, an aunt and close cousin move away, Ned strikes out on his own. He arrives in Midland, Kansas where he throws himself into becoming the best wheat farmer in a land of wheat farmers--not an easy task. Dedicated to shielding himself from life's slings and arrows, Ned rebuffs any close relationships. He throws himself into proving to the world that he is the best at doing whatever he undertakes. In spite of his chosen life style, he realizes belatedly that it is impossible for anyone to succeed without accepting help from others during trying situations. A metamorphosis of sorts transforms Ned's character, which results in his finding true friendships, companionships and love.
Dennis McKay, the author, proves himself to be a superb storyteller, which is the primary job of a fiction writer. In doing so, he has done extensive research into all areas about which he writes. I was born and grew to manhood on a farm in Oklahoma. Growing wheat was one of the crops my family planted, nurtured, prayed for, and harvested. McKay tells it like it was. I recommend, Fallow's Field. It is a superb read.
Fredrick W. Boling
Author of Wakan Man and Incident at Crazy Woman Creek.

The author brought to me the day to day living experience of a generation of people who through hard times, be it the weather or personal sacrifice,
endured these hardships. It also showed how one man, locked into his own world, finds by opening up a beautiful world around him that he was missing. I will be looking forward to reading the author's next book.

I really enjoyed reading "Fallow's Field" because it incorporated both of the elements that I look for in new books - historical fiction and just a "great read". This was a book that I felt compelled to keep reading to find out "what happens next" while learning about early Kansas wheat farming at the same time.

This book was rich in detail and the characters were woven through the story and Ned's life with care>I stayed up late reading this one.

"Comprehensive" starts the subtitle, and Comprehensive it is! Too many print-handicapped people are forced to stumble through the multi-layered service system, picking up clues almost by accident until they "strike gold" in the person of a skilled counselor or librarian. Here is a full set of Tools for Learning, along with a user's guide! Important for every visually impaired student and family, vital for every school or school system's Special Education department. No less useful for those with serious learning disorders like dyslexia, or with challenging physical disabilities that prevent the easy handling of printed material. Yes, addresses and phone numbers may change; new organizations may develop; but this is a book that will be USED and that will repay its purchase many times over.

A volunteer at VISION Community Services, A Division of the Massachusetts Association for the Blind, a lovely 85 year old who is legally blind and severely hearing impaired, mentioned that she was interested in the Guide (as the result of reading a review in our newsletter). I loaned her our library copy and here's what she had to say: "Spent several hours with the Field Guide. Every low vision person should have access to it. One bonus I reaped was a comprehensive description of major suppliers, what they supply and differences between them. Also, Leibs gave a useful assessment of assistive devices. This is bewildering to the newcomer to the field. In the end, I copied out several titles of Great Books to improve my mind. Several times I've tried Huckleberry Finn and quit in boredom. On the other hand, the Toni Morrison title caught my attention, I've been meaning to sample her. Don't expect to like it, but I might be surprised." She adds that it was also good to know the approximate cost of having a book reprinted in large print, and the major LP companies. Despite being legally blind, her vision is better than her hearing so she reads large print books. Her vision loss is due to glaucoma, so she retains some decent central vision.

This book is the "needle of a compass" for the blind and dyslexic. Kudos to Leibs for providing the best resource guide for the blind and dyslexic I've read! He's not only gathered countless resources and provided those in an easy to navigate format, but he's added his own personal struggles and discoveries that finally lead him to experience the sheer joy of reading. I've placed this book in a prominent location in my office and will refer to it often as it's truly the work of a research genius. Special attention should be paid to the Introduction as Leibs takes you on a poignant journey to his discovery of reading and shares his excitement as well as disappointment while uncovering the bliss of reading. Additionally, Leibs provides a "suggested reading" list with contact information on how and where to acquire these books. Truly, his passion for reading will no doubt inspire your own, whether you are a fully sighted reader or not. Kudos to Leibs! A gem of a book, and long overdue!

I picked up this book for the first time a few nights ago and was immediately hooked. As a legally blind consumer and as Director of Rehabilitation Services at an agency whose mission is to empower blind and visually impaired individuals, I was immediately moved by the significance of Mr. Leibs' work. I read late into the night, and my last thought before drifting off to sleep that night was that I wished that this book had been around 30 years ago -- it would most certainly have saved me and a lot of others who live with severe vision impairment or blindness a whole lot of struggle and grief!

This book is the only of its kind I've encountered. The information, both concisely and engagingly presented, opens a breathtaking vista of literature and learning to the lives of the visually impaired in providing guidance to independent access of the printed word!

This book is NOT another "how to live with a disability" book. It focuses on a very important aspect of life, the ABILITY to read, to INDEPENDENTLY access the written word. Leibs has put together an extensive listing of resources to empower the visually impaired reader. In addition, the personal experiences he shares in the book brought back a host of memories of my own educational odyssey. Like Leibs, I and many others with low vision have experienced much hit-and-miss in the process of learning what we needed to know to gain the access we desire and need to succeed. Leibs has put together all the pieces of a complex puzzle into a user-friendly guide that paves the way for others to learn the rudiments of what it takes to access our literary world!

In my opinion, this book should be put into the hands of every visually impaired child in this country. Leibs also targets librarians with this work, as their awareness of these resources may enhance their own knowledge and skills in providing support for visually impaired consumers. I would additionally recommend this book to seniors who constitute, by far, the largest population of visually impaired readers.

Many thanks to Mr. Leibs for a significant contribution to the education and quality of life of blind and visually impaired people!

This book should be in the hands of every sight-impaired student no later than age tweleve. Leibs has completely overhauled the orientation for reading among the blind from one of dependence on teachers and organizations to one of connecting INDEPENDENTLY to a really vast array of resources. This hardcover volume is quite easy to navigate - well designed and quite "user friendly".

I could not believe there are so many aliens species in the universe, but here they are. Myth, superior beings pantheon or fantasy? It does not matter really, let your imagination run loose and free. It is healthy for your mind. The Field guide to extraterrestrials is a nice companion if you are willing to accept the hypotheses and elaborate theories of the person who wrote this book. Personally, I was amuzed and intrigued. Give it a shot.

For readers intrigued by alleged UFO occupant encounters and close encounters of the third kind, Patrick Huyghe's "The Field Guide to Extraterrestrials" is a fascinating reference that reflects the same academic sensibility on display in "The Field Guide to UFOs." This book is a holistic (and unnerving) rogues' gallery of ETs, categorized according to characteristics and presented in informed, concise chapters. Harry Trumbore's exacting illustrations help bring Huyghe's text to life. "The Field Guide to Extraterrestrials" is as much fun as UFO books get.

This is an excellent book. Ive never read anything like it. I especially liked the pictures they are great. I can read it over and over again and never stop. I am glad I read that book

I liked the pictures and how he grouped the aliens by type and put their distingusing characteristics their height and the story behind it. I wish there were more books like it. Also I'm not an idiot.

This is a great book. What I like about it was that It had a great guide of alien life forms,how they look and people claim they have encounterd. It is a great, fantastic guide!!!

I love writers like the Sills, who can write with humor, tongue-in-cheek comments, and illustrate with equally supurb drawings. Even my husband laughed, and he usually doesn't pick up such books. The Sills take a serious topic - at least most birders I know seem so serious about their "lists" - and turn it into a very fun read. (I plan to use it in language arts classes this year for examples of many literary terms, especially alliteration.)

This book was not written for bird watchers, but for those people who are looking for subtle and intelligent humor. The authors start with the characteristics of birds and then add features of other items. My favorite bird was the White-Lined Roadrunner or Geococcys Alba-linearis, whose habitat is a series of interstate highways, primarily in the southwest United States. The last two sentences in the description are "Feet have a unique radial tread pattern. Environmental noise can obscure the call, which is an occasional beep."
Each bird is given English then "Latin" names, followed by a description, and then hints for better observation. You must read the descriptions carefully to catch all of the subtlety of the humor, but if you do, it will amuse you.

I have been a fan of these exquisite little bird guides since I first stumbled on volume 1 at Hearthside Books in Juneau, Alaska in 1988. At that time, I decided to purchase a raft of these guides and they became excellent gifts for other lovers of wildlife over the years.

Since then I have passed both volumes around to our guests when I do tours as a naturalist in Haines, (SE) Alaska. The drawingsare so realistc, even the Elderhostlers think they are real birds...and laugh as they figure out the joke...Highly recommended for all those with a sense of humor and love of birds. Thank you Sills!!!!

I highly recommend this book as a gift for any birder. Anyone who has attempted to find a way to tell a "greater" from a "lesser" or who has tried to learn those hard to recall Latin names will appreciate it!

I have been afflicted with Serious Birders Disease. You know the symptoms, flitting from Peterson to Stokes to Sibley and beyond, memory fading. Was it a yellow bill, blue legs, black feet or was it black bill, yellow feet? It gets worse and worse with each passing hour. They all begin to look alike. I was becoming frantic.

Finally a friend came to the rescue with the best antidote yet - the little field guide by Ben, Cathryn and John Sill "A Field Guide to Little-Known & Seldom-Seen Birds. Symptoms disappear within 24 hours. Laughter, after all, is the best medicine. Never again will I venture into the field with quite the same driven attitudes - unless, of course, I think I have finally happened upon the elusive ringed gimpy (see pp 26-27).

"Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone" was only the beginning... For those who seek answers as to why they feel as if they are animals, or those who have ever wondered why they think they have wings, "A Field Guide to Otherkin" is your solution!

Lupa, a wolf therian, member of the Otherkin community, and magician, has brought us a informational book regarding this unique subculture. Ranging from kitsune, to Vampyres, to elves, to dragons, to a wide variety of animals, Otherkin are alive and ready to be heard.

Using her wonderful "on the fence" writing style, Lupa has given us a well written and researched "Field Guide" for not only understanding those who might be Otherkin, but for possibly understanding ourselves.

Although the spiritual/magickal connections to being Otherkin are discussed, Lupa has done amazing research into the psychological connectioins as well. Science and magick have long been thought to be seperate, but they are indeed intertwined, and Lupa has brought them together wonderfully.

Besides Lupa's own wonderful research and writing, she has also included a guest essayist, and many wonderful quotes from personal correspondences and responses to a survey that she circulated in the Otherkin community.

If you have ever thought you might be something other than human, or you do any work in the magickal community, this book is a must read.

Thank you Lupa, for giving this text to us, and for helping those people who needed it deeply.

I am in love with this book. I wasn't sure what to expect from a book about the Otherkin, but this exceeded all my expectations. It is concise, yet flowing and fun to read. It presents the material quite clearly, which is saying something when you consider how differently the opinions and theories and experiences can be in the vast and sometimes odd world of the Otherkin, Otakin, Mediakin/Soulbonders, and so on, just to name a few. It certainly helps clarify what forms the experience takes, even though the author is careful to say that she can't cover everything and that no one belief or opinion or theory about it is the Right One.

I hope, as the author also expresses the hope, that this bodes well for future books about Otherkin and what it means in our lives and society and spirituality. Greater acceptance, at the very least.

Highly recommended to those who already consider themselves Otherkin, Otakin, Otakukin, or Mediakin/Bonders, and to those who suspect that maybe this is what is happening to them. There are references to websites included, as well as info on conventions for Otherkin, and its a good place to start looking for others to get together with and to share experiences with.

Well, I've finally finished Lupa's "A Field Guide to Otherkin," and I must say that I am quite impressed. It is written from the perspective of an otherkin, but she has taken great pains to treat the subject impartially. There is a meaty Bibliography that those who wish further reading will find very useful.

Topics covered in the book include such things as theories of being 'Kin, including personal psychology, metaphysics, personal mythology, energetic resonance, and the genetic thoughts. Therianthropy, Vampirism, and several other types of 'Kin are mentioned in the book, and some types of 'Kin have whole sections devoted to them, with information drawn from collected surveys.

As to the surveys, having tried to gather research on a different topic before with this method for college, I can understand how hard it is to get a good sampling of any community. One hundred thirty one, including her own response, is far more than I ever got for my alienation report. I was very surprised by the breakdown of the 'Kin types that responded, for example I thought that there would have been far more kitsune than the single response from that type received, although the greater number of wolves I did expect. Perhaps some day she will have enough information and additional responses to put out a second edition.

Magic and Spirituality is also touched on this this book, and in quite a responsible and adult manner to my finding. Thoughts on how to become 'Kin to the Other as well as the possibility on how to stop being 'Kin are presented, and the same goes the the opinion of one unbiased psychologist.

One of the things that I liked best about this book is that the author highly stressed self-exploration, common sense, and a large dose of salt.

Whether one is 'Kin themselves, suspects that they may be, knows someone that is 'Kin, or just interested in the phenomenon and/or experience of being 'Kin, this book I would consider a must read.

Eyes, ears, and mind open Lupa has taken the care and craft needed to honestly represent a guide to a very fluid fringe population. I would recommend this book to anyone both curious and not already decided against the possibility that a small fraction of individuals have slipped under the ends of the bell-shaped curve so many use to define normal.

For parents, I would say that the majority are going though a phase in their self discovery. Sometimes moving to an edge and looking back from a very different perspective one discovers new facets of who they are. Don't panic (or try to force strict conformity) but do insist that communication will remain open and that being "other" is not a free excuse for either parent or child.

For myself, I have been mostly an observer over the many years looking back from the fringe of the fringe and seeing both mind and imagination explored openly and in what seems a very positive light. Earning my living employed to move things that are at first only imagined into reality (Engineer) and being a Grandparent of a very imaginative child.

Thank You Lupa

Truthfully, I wasn't really expecting to get much out of this one as opposed to her "Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone." Well, I was wrong. I have spent some time haunting the edges of the Otherkin community, and I was one of the 130 survey respondents, so the basic information wasn't new. That being said, I still learned a /great/ deal from the book. More importantly, (in my humble opinion, anyway), it inspired some more self reflection and musings that will be chewed on for a while.

Lupa's writing style, as I've come to expect, is fluid and conversational, making the book very pleasurable to read. The entire text is peppered with anecdotes from Lupa and the survey respondents, as well as plenty of outside sources. Everything was covered very nicely, with plenty of different views given. Each of the Otherkin "types" is given a chapter, and while the mythology/lore opening sections occasionally went into a bit too much detail, they were overall an excellent part of the text I wasn't expecting.

I highly recommend it for both Otherkin and curious non-kin. The origin theories chapter is definitely a must-read for anyone wanting to discuss Otherkin seriously.

I came to this site to buy this book, but after seeing the prices I called a local non-discount book store (the one with Star Bucks in it) and bought it new for $24.95. What's with the inflated prices for a used paperback? Makes no sense to me.

We have snakes. Lots of them. But rather than "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out", as my husband prefers, I take this book with me during ourdoor activities and literally look up the snake I'm looking at. The photos are extremely helpful, limited only by my own perceptual problems---for example, Texas brown snakes look like rat snakes look like copperheads to me, even in the pictures. But the majority of the snakes in Texas and in the book do NOT deserve to die...life imprisonment, maybe...this is a very comforting book to own.

This field guide on snakes is excellent. The pictures of each snake are clear and you can identify them easily when you see them in the wild (or in you're house). The organization of this book splits up into two sections venomous and nonvenomous which allows a very quick way to tell if you should be anywhere near the snake. The infromation on each type is plentiful and everything you need to know is included. There are maps of where to find each type and whether they are endangered or protected in the state of Texas. A system is given in the beginning of the book for how to easily determine a snake and also what to do if you happen to be bit by a venomous type. The only thing I would like to see in the next revision is the striking distance of each snake which isn't given in this book.

A great book. A fantastic book. It's slightly larger than what one might expect for a field guide, but the difference is put to good use. Not only are the excellent photographs printed at such high resolution that you expect to see these scaled beauties slithering off the pages, but the accompanying text is so easy to read that you might find it to be a page-turner that ranks with some pretty good novels. This book is crammed with really useful or, at the very least, interesting info -- like the relative potencies of venoms from different snakes. (You might be surprised...) A detailed discussion of the mechanisms associated with different snake venoms and what might be done to counter them is really fascinating. The text for each species is accompanied by a distribution map; that text includes information on whether the snake in question is venomous, its behavior, reproduction, abundance, size, etc. I can't say enough good stuff about this book. If you live in a state adjacent to Texas and Mr. Tennant hasn't written a book about your snake population, it would well be worth getting this one. He also wrote the "Field Guide to Snakes of Florida," so you guys in Florida are lucky, too! This book made me want to head out at night to the local megapuddles that form near my house south of Houston to see what might be after those little frogs that seem to appear out of nowhere in the spring. Now, that might seem to be a little strange, but if you've read this book, you probably know what I mean.
Come to think of it, I'd like to give this one 7 stars...

Very thorough research, orderly referenced example pictures, and easy to use.

This is a remarkable collection of information on a sorely needed region of herpetology. Not just for advanced hobbyists either...this book has WONDERFUL photographs and is a MUST have for any level of reptile enthusiast.

This is the most perfect book for any snake or reptile fan.

This book is amazingly detailed, giving in-depth information on ALL species of reptile known to occur in the five countries covered.
The photographs are of excellent quality (though where none was available, drawings would have been better than nothing) and the keys very user-friendly.
It is an absolute must for anyone interested in the herpetofauna of this region.
A word of warning though: despite the title this book is much too bulky and heavy to carry around on the field!
More likely, you will want to keep it at home (or in your car?) as a reference.

A great book, with descriptions and photos of al known east african reptiles, including distribution maps.
Which i must say could have a little bet bigger and easier to read(country references).

If you are interested in finding the reptiles in the field or keeping them in captivity, you must own this book !

The long-awaited field guide to the diverse reptile populations of East Africa. This book was everything I expected it to be and more. Comprehensive listings, excellent photography and detailed information on habitat/distribution, natural history, conservation status etc. I can't say enough good things about this book, the list of authors should speak for themselves! ;-)

No serious herper's library is complete without this book...

I can add little to the other positive reviews here but that I was deeply touched by the beauty and sensitivity of this short novel. It is simply something I will always remember and I envy the reader who discovers it.

Fields of glory is the most beautifully written book I have read in more than a decade--maybe ever. Virtually every page, every paragraph, is wonderfully crafted. How I wish I could read it in French, although I can't imagine that it could be any better. Mr. Rouaud is a genious.

This gentle book floats you through the life of a French family between the wars, as seen through the eyes of children. Human foibles are observed with a naive humour, and events are often described without the full understanding of the narrator. Much of the subject matter could be overpowering, but the depiction in this book is beautiful.

In what begins as reminisces by the narrator of a seemingly eccentric family the author slowly unravels the reasons behind each of the characters' actions. This masterpiece of writing develops into a powerful study of aging and childhood memories, and of the long lasting impact of World War I from one generation to another, even when the succeeding generations aren't aware of it.

By the end of this book I felt that I knew the family members intimately. This is beautifully done. The story unravels the lives of family members through the memories of a child, tracing their tragedy back to the ultimate tragedy of war. In some ways this book is very French but the feelings are universal and I strongly recommend it.