Rating: 
Summary: Differential Equations...
Review: Although this book is used in introductory differential equation courses, it contains too few worked examples to work as an introductory text. The student who uses this book should have some (not a lot, but some) background on the subject, even if they get that knowledge from the professor's lecture. My professor gave formulas for reduction of order and variation of parameters that were easier to use than those given in the book. Then again, he explained the topic so well that I hardly had to use the book except for homework, and I still got an A+. The book is well written, but perhaps better suited for an intermediate differential equations course.
Rating: 
Summary: A Cluttered, wordy, and at key points incomphrehensible.
Review: As a introductory text, this book was next to useless. I spent most of my time running through a old Dover book to establish any connection to the subject at all. The presentation of the text is horrendous, inducing headaches just trying to read the horrible green pages. The explanations are loftly and difficult to follow especially in reference to the Cauchy-Euler equations. Instead of the intuitive exponential solution approach, Nagle and Saff bog down the student with some backwards differential solution. Very little thought to the student unfamiliar with the material is given
Rating: 
Summary: This is the best math book I have ever read
Review: I have read many books on calculus and other areas of math. THIS BOOK IS BY FAR THE BEST. It's explanations are clear, the material is organized very well, and the subject matter is complete. Differential equations is never an easy subject, but I found that with relatively little effort I was understanding the subject completely. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who wishes a clear and understandable explanation of this subject.
Rating:
Summary: Seems clear & well-organized, with nicely displayed examples
Review: I have to admit I haven't read this book in detail - just browsed throught it at a bookstore. But I have studied a number of other ODE books, including Boyce and DiPrima, and looked at this to clarify a bit of confusion on the method of undetermined coefficients. It was very clear, clearer than Boyce. Also there seemed to be numerous examples of various methods, and a wide selection of methods in both ODE's and PDE's for an elementary textbook. My general impression was that it is rather similar to Boyce, but even clearer. Perhaps these books are a bit advanced for some beginning students though?
Rating:
Summary: An excellent text
Review: I used the fifth edition of this textbook for my differential equations class, and since then I have continued to use it. The examples do a thorough job of explaining new concepts, as long as the reader is comfortable with working along and filling in the extra steps (Actually, in my opinion, this should be the standard method for learning from a textbook). Since my first differential equations class, I have encountered some difficulty understanding partial differential equations, particularly heat equations and vibrations of a spring. The textbook I use for my intermediate engineering math course that I am covering this material for does a sloppy and incoherent job. However, using this book as a reference I was able to break down the process to "discovering" partial differential equations and am on my way to understanding at least heat equations and vibrating strings rather well. This book also clearly facilitates the reasoning behind fourier series and transforms. I highly recommend this book. Although I didn't have much choice in selecting it for my courses, its use after the end of the intended course certainly exemplifies its value.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent text
Review: I used the fifth edition of this textbook for my differential equations class, and since then I have continued to use it. The examples do a thorough job of explaining new concepts, as long as the reader is comfortable with working along and filling in the extra steps (Actually, in my opinion, this should be the standard method for learning from a textbook). Since my first differential equations class, I have encountered some difficulty understanding partial differential equations, particularly heat equations and vibrations of a spring. The textbook I use for my intermediate engineering math course that I am covering this material for does a sloppy and incoherent job. However, using this book as a reference I was able to break down the process to "discovering" partial differential equations and am on my way to understanding at least heat equations and vibrating strings rather well. This book also clearly facilitates the reasoning behind fourier series and transforms. I highly recommend this book. Although I didn't have much choice in selecting it for my courses, its use after the end of the intended course certainly exemplifies its value.
Rating:
Summary: Not Fundamental
Review: The course in ODE using this text was my tenth mathematics class and this book took the cake in the "Worst Math Book Ever" category. The authors explain too much information in an abstract way with a major lack of corresponding examples. It is also the only math book of the ten I have that I never go back to for reference. It ended up being the most expensive toilet paper I ever bought. The only saving grace for the future editions of this line of texts is that the author passed away last year. If anyone needs this book for an ODE class, I strongly recommend the schaumms(sp) outline for ODE.
Rating:
Summary: The worst Math book I've ever read!
Review: This book is worthless, a far cry from a clear understanding of differential equations. I'm engineering major and never have I had such a hard time comprehending a textbook. The solutions manual is even worse, making it extremely difficult to check yourself when working the problems. If you are a professor and are thinking about using this book please don't and if you are a student and you need this book I feel for you.
Rating:
Summary: The worst Math book I've ever read!
Review: This book is worthless, a far cry from a clear understanding of differential equations. I'm engineering major and never have I had such a hard time comprehending a textbook. The solutions manual is even worse, making it extremely difficult to check yourself when working the problems. If you are a professor and are thinking about using this book please don't and if you are a student and you need this book I feel for you.
Rating:
Summary: Seems clear & well-organized, with nicely displayed examples
Review: This book seems more than adequate for those who already have a hold on advanced mathematics and want a comprehensive guide to a new subject. The layout is utilitarian and serves well enough...
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