Introduction to Fluid Power

Rating:
Summary: Intuitive, clear and concise
Review: James Johnson's Introduction to Fluid Power is the kind of book students want. There is a lot to like about this book: First off, the language used is not the "expert talking down to you" tone that many college texts seem to enjoy (and students hate). Each concept is presented in plain, logical, and easy to understand terms. There is no abundance of 10-cent words and aloof language for the sake of sounding superior. That isn't to say the topic is "dumbed-down" at all, it is just easy to read and written in a plain-speaking manner that makes the reader feel like he's listening to a lecture by a competent, knowledgeable, down-to-earth, and enthusiastic speaker. James obviously knows his subject intimately, understands is fully, and knows where students may have confusion or misunderstanding and he works hard to make it clear as to what is right and what is wrong. It is rare to find an instructional text where the author remembers what it is like to be new to the topic, outside of the "For Dummies" series and similarly styled books. This book possesses that level of intuitive simplicity. This is the clearest and easiest to read and understand college text that I have ever used.

Additionally, the illustrations are superior to any other book I've ever read for school. They are all in full-color, many are shaded to look 3-D, and they are liberally used. If a concept needs more than one illustration to show how a mechanism works, then you will see more than one illustration. Little is left to the imagination, and there is little margin for reader error in interpretation. Also included are full-color photographs of many of the devices discussed. The book is exceptional in this respect. Also, in terms of design, it is nice that every page has a liberal margin in which to take notes. Occasionally a small color photograph will appear in these margins. With all of this color and the numerous illustrations it would be easy for this book to come across as cluttered and garish. The book thankfully avoids this pitfall. The layout is wonderfully designed and the color schemes are subdued and understated.

The only complaint to be had with this text is that, being a first edition, it contains a fair share of typos, misprints, and improper labeling in illustrations. Despite this, any competent Instructor should be able to spot and correct the errors as they occur, and they will very likely to be fixed by the second edition of the book.

To sum-up: this book is exceptional; language that is easy to read and understand, numerous wonderful full-color illustrations, elegant easy-on-the-eyes design and layout, and topics that are presented logically, and explained completely. Every aspect of this text screams quality, and no expense was spared to make it as good as it is. It manages to avoid nearly every pitfall that a typical college text falls prey to, especially those in the technical realm. My only complaint is that I wish I owned a second-edition with the typos and various errors fixed. Current and future authors of college and instructional texts take note: you could learn a thing or two from James' effort.

Rating:
Summary: Intuitive, clear and concise
Review: James Johnson's Introduction to Fluid Power is the kind of book students want. There is a lot to like about this book: First off, the language used is not the "expert talking down to you" tone that many college texts seem to enjoy (and students hate). Each concept is presented in plain, logical, and easy to understand terms. There is no abundance of 10-cent words and aloof language for the sake of sounding superior. That isn't to say the topic is "dumbed-down" at all, it is just easy to read and written in a plain-speaking manner that makes the reader feel like he's listening to a lecture by a competent, knowledgeable, down-to-earth, and enthusiastic speaker. James obviously knows his subject intimately, understands is fully, and knows where students may have confusion or misunderstanding and he works hard to make it clear as to what is right and what is wrong. It is rare to find an instructional text where the author remembers what it is like to be new to the topic, outside of the "For Dummies" series and similarly styled books. This book possesses that level of intuitive simplicity. This is the clearest and easiest to read and understand college text that I have ever used.

Additionally, the illustrations are superior to any other book I've ever read for school. They are all in full-color, many are shaded to look 3-D, and they are liberally used. If a concept needs more than one illustration to show how a mechanism works, then you will see more than one illustration. Little is left to the imagination, and there is little margin for reader error in interpretation. Also included are full-color photographs of many of the devices discussed. The book is exceptional in this respect. Also, in terms of design, it is nice that every page has a liberal margin in which to take notes. Occasionally a small color photograph will appear in these margins. With all of this color and the numerous illustrations it would be easy for this book to come across as cluttered and garish. The book thankfully avoids this pitfall. The layout is wonderfully designed and the color schemes are subdued and understated.

The only complaint to be had with this text is that, being a first edition, it contains a fair share of typos, misprints, and improper labeling in illustrations. Despite this, any competent Instructor should be able to spot and correct the errors as they occur, and they will very likely to be fixed by the second edition of the book.

To sum-up: this book is exceptional; language that is easy to read and understand, numerous wonderful full-color illustrations, elegant easy-on-the-eyes design and layout, and topics that are presented logically, and explained completely. Every aspect of this text screams quality, and no expense was spared to make it as good as it is. It manages to avoid nearly every pitfall that a typical college text falls prey to, especially those in the technical realm. My only complaint is that I wish I owned a second-edition with the typos and various errors fixed. Current and future authors of college and instructional texts take note: you could learn a thing or two from James' effort.