Reviews (3)

Fabulous!
I bought this book for my brother's 50th bday, who happens to own a 50th anniversay corvette.The photography is absolutely fabulous.Page after page of beautiful color photos.Also has all the specs from each year.Very interesting read also.I highly recommend. A great book for an inexpensive price.

wow
if you are a corvette fan, or just an auto fan, you must have this book. it covers corvettes from 1953 to 2003 with entries of the designers and their drawings and models, dream and show cars, race cars, and production models. it covers all these with beautiful color photos and in-detail descriptions. it even has each model years statistics. this being a 50th anniversary edition will only make it more valuable as time goes by.

A must for C5 owners
As a proud owner of a new C5 Corvette, a friend of mine bought this book for me. After a few hours, I finally set it down only to see his 3 year old daughter spill a glass of milk all over it. So I had no choice but to immediately buy another!
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Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - History    3. Automotive - Pictorial    4. Corvette automobile    5. History    6. Transportation    7. Sale Books   

Editorial Review

Dava Sobel's Read more

Reviews (32)

One Man's Battle Against the Scientific Establishment
The story of how one man, John Harrison, battled for decades to prove to the scientific community the merits of a timekeeper-based approach for finding longitude. His approach was condemned largely for its simplicity by scientists who favored an astronomical approach that required precise measurements of heavenly bodies, on a rolling ship, and complex calculations. While this sounds dry, the book is filled with amusing anecdotes of the quack methods proposed for finding longitude, and the descriptions of Harrison's struggles and dedication to his invention are inspiring. You'll learn a good deal about clocks, excuse me, chronometers, and their history from Galileo and Christian Huygens to John Harrison's marine timekeeper, designed to withstand the temperature changes and humidity levels of a rolling, ocean-going ship.

A well done book on a boring subject (to me)
You must know by now, the prize for determining longitude at sea prior to satalites, etc.
Great story,but beware of inaccuracies within this book.
John Harrison completed his first pendulum clock in 1713 before the age of 20. He made the gears for this out of wood which was radical for such a use, but as a carpenter, perhaps not to him---which is a mark of genius, I'd say; to reach beyond accepted norms in this manner.This he did after borrowing a book on math and the laws of motion; which he copied word for word, making his own copy.He incorporated different varieties of wood into his clock for strenth and later invented a bi-metal pendulum to counteract the expansion and compression of various individual metals.He also employed friction-free movements so as to do away with problematic lubricants.When intrigued by the puzzle of time at sea and the issue of longitude he contemplated substituting something not prone to gravity, as a pendulum of course is, to track times passing.In 1737 he created a cantilevered clock 4 foot square. The longitude board (which had offered a cash bonus to anyone who could devise a method in which time at sea could be kept) admired this creation of Harrison's.Four years later he returned with an improved model; then he started on a 3rd model, like the previous two, also a fairly large sized clock.But there exists a problem within this book:An artisan freemason by the name of John Jefferys at the Worshipful Company of clockmakers befriended Harrison and then later presented to him a pocket watch in 1753.Then in 1755, while still working on his 3rd model, Harrison says this to the Longitude board:I have..."good reason to think" on the basis of a watch "already executed that such small machines [he's referring to pocketwatches] may be of great service with respect to longitude."He then completed version 3 in 1759.His fourth version appears just a year later, however, and is a 5 inch wide pocketwatch!The obvious inference made by the author is that after he received the pocketwatch from Jeffreys he seemingly put his version #3 on the backburner and soon started on the pocketwatch 4th version.The author does not claim Harrison copied anything from the Jeffreys model, but she certainly phrases this section so as to lend one to believe that this may have been the case; that Jefferys had a hand in the masterstroke invention Harrison eventually produced in version #4.This is not true. Harrison commissioned the watch he received from Jeffreys and was based on Harrison's specifications.It seems that Harrison simply asked Jeffreys to test an idea which he himself hadn't the time to attack just then; as he was still working on his 3rd version of a table-top prototype clock.Hence Harrison's above statement to the board in 1755 whence his ideas were validated by Jeffreys.In addition, the author plays up the part of the Astronomer Royal's part in attempting to impede Harrison from convincing the longitiude board of the efficacy of a time-piece solution to this problem over a celestial answer to this conundrum.The author also jazzes up the issue of whether Harrison received the prize the board promised to pay for a successful solution herein; even though the board supported him for upwards of 20 years as he pursued this quest.It's as if the author intentionally omitted some facts (that the Jefferys was a Harrison commission), and pumped up others (of a rival/foil on the board trying to impede Harrison and thecompensation issue; implying that Harrison was jipped) just to make the story more compelling. John Harrison's story, however, is extremely compelling as it is and didn't need this extra spice served up by the author.Do read this (very short) book on how this Mr. Harrison solved the problem of knowing where one is when at sea; and if you're in London, visit the Old Royal Observatory and the Clockmakers museum (in the Guildhall) where you can see Harrison's wonderful creations in person.Enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Chronometers    3. Clock and watch makers    4. Great Britain    5. History    6. Longitude    7. Measurement    8. Navigation    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Scientific Instruments    12. Science / History   

Reviews (2)

An outstanding guide, one that has long been needed.
Just as our transportation system, like most complex systems, has grown ever more sophisticated, so have the means of investigating when those systems suffer failures.For years, a pronouncement of "human error" signaled the end of an accident investigation; now it often marks the beginning.It is no longer sufficient to conclude that an error occurred; investigators must now determine why it occurred and what can be done to prevent a recurrence.Yet surprisingly, there has been little in the training canon to prepare the accident investigator for this central function.That is, until now, because Dr. Barry Strauch has masterfully filled that gap."Investigating Human Error: Incidents, Accidents, and Complex Systems" is that rarity in the literature of any discipline: a text that is thorough, well-organized and also a pleasure to read.Strauch is clearly at home in both the academic world and the gritty, high-stress environment that surrounds the investigator in the field.Each page of his book is informed by his years of experience as an investigator, an educator and a human factors psychologist.With the systematic, insightful approach presented by Strauch, complex systems are no longer impenetrable to the investigator; human error ceases to be a conundrum.Furthermore, Strauch's audience extends well beyond the ranks of investigators alone.His book will be profoundly appreciated by the people who work in airlines and other complex systems, by those who manage them and by those who analyze and regulate them.In fact, Strauch's work will be a compelling read for anyone who is fascinated and perplexed by humans failing to perform as they should in critical missions.

Superb
Dr. Barry Strauch's book is a superbly written and researched account by an investigating expert.He weaves an informative tale that maintains an anecdotal and entertaining tone throughout.Dr. Strauch is, quite simply, a literary wizard.His book is truly a gift to the aviation world.His first-hand account of many infamous accidents combined with his expertise and step by step techniques make this an educational yet interesting read.This reader highly recommends this book to anyone in the field of aviation or any person with an interest in the field. This book is a classic in the vein of "Normal Accidents," Charles Perrow's masterpiece.Five stars. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aviation - General    2. Transportation    3. Aircraft: general interest    4. Occupational & industrial psychology    5. Occupational / industrial health & safety   

Reviews (4)

Don't purchase without this book!!
I found this book extremely informative yet easy to read. It is an excellent resource for anyone looking to buy an RV, especially if you are a first time buyer. It helped me know what to look for when inspecting the RV's and also how to deal with the salespeople.
What Every RV Buyer Needs to Know
Before reading J. D. Gallant's book, How to Select, Inspect, and Buy an RV, I didn't know a class C from a minivan. What an eye-opener! This comprehensive guide gave me everything I needed to know to begin my search for the right RV. The book is well organized into sections covering the advantages and disadvantages of the different types, advice on buying used,how an RV is constructed, what to look for at shows, safety issues,how to get the best deal for your budget, and a helpful glossary of RV sales terms. What I found particularly outstanding, however, was the section on the Walkabout inspection technique. Amply illustrated with photos showing what to look for inside and out, this systematic and detailed process helped me sort the wheat from the chaff when looking for a used motor home.Mr. Gallant's easy-going,no-nonsense style and sense of humor made for hours of pleasurable reading on a subject that could seem daunting in less capable hands. Don't set foot on a dealer's lot without giving this one a thorough read!

A Must-Have Book for your RV purchase!
This is a very easy to read and easy to follow book, yet it gives very comprehensive information. Excellent for the novice or the experienced RVer, it covers the selection process (there are several types of RVs made and you need to figure out which is one is best for your use); the inspection process (walks you through what you need to look for and, believe me, you can find a lot of deficiencies in an RV that looks "clean"); and finally, the most important part to the pocket, the buying process. I think the author did a great job here - he injects humor in this process while opening your eyes to the negotiating "wheelin' and dealin'" that you are going to encounter at the dealership. It doesn't matter whether you're buying a car, a truck, a motorhome, or a tent - the buying process explained in this book will serve you well for anything you buy. I also liked the photos and graphics used throughout - they were clear in their purpose. I read this book through twice before arming myself with pen and notebook and hitting my local dealers. By reading this book, I found I knew a lot more stuff than the salespeople! If you are going to spend thousands of dollars on an RV, you better read this book first. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Transportation   

Reviews (3)

Difficult to get lost with this one...
An excellent book for those starting out on orienteering. Very good conversational wording. Doesn't use too much jargon. The practical exercises are easily understood. The combination of the written word and neat diagrams and pictures make the information easily digestable.

Excellent Map and Compass Instruction Book
The best map and compass handbook I've come across.Excellent photos and illustrations add to simple and straightforward written material to make a great book for use when practicing real-life outdoor navigation.

The best resource for beginning or experienced pathfinders
This book is the best resource on land navigation i've seen.I use it regularly in teaching land navigation in conjunction with search and rescueto area fire departments.The author makes the hard-to-explain easy tounderstand for beginners and experts alike. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Navigation    2. Orientation    3. Outdoor Life    4. Outdoor Skills    5. Physical Education    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Wilderness survival    9. Maps, charts & atlases    10. Orienteering    11. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Reviews (5)

The Headmistress speaks
Peggie Hall has long shared her expertise in a number of online fora. From time to time she has spoken at boat shows and similar events. In her book, she has gathered together in one place all the tremendous knowledge she has about black, gray, and potable water systems, and generally keeping your boat smelling nice.
The definitive guide
Peggie has produced an outstanding guide for tracking down and eliminating funky smells on board.
Excellent Book.
This book provided just the information I was looking for in a "to the point" style. If you have an older boat with an odor problem, this book will help you diagnose and eliminate the problem. Well worth the money and I'd recommend it to anyone. True to it's title, this book is about getting rid of boat odors....I'm not sure why the person who wrote the negative review thought it was an installation manual. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - Boatbuilding    2. Boating - General    3. Boats and boating    4. Equipment and supplies    5. Odor control    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Transportation    10. Waste disposal    11. Water Sports   

Reviews (1)

how pneumatic work
what is pneumatic,how its work and the component ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Engineering - General    2. Engineering - Industrial    3. Engineering - Mechanical    4. Pneumatic-tube transportation    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Mechanical engineering    9. Reference works    10. Sanitary & municipal engineering    11. Technology / Engineering / Chemical & Biochemical   

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - General    4. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    5. Engineering - Automotive    6. Maintenance and repair    7. Transmission devices, Automatic    8. Transportation    9. Automotive technology    10. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Subjects:  1. Automotive - General    2. General    3. Technology & Industrial Arts    4. Transportation    5. Automotive technology    6. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (10)

One of my Favs
It is everything and more than I expected to find in a Mercedes tome. Having read several books on the subject I find this one to be the most informative. The early years are covered well.

Truly Exquisite
This book is a joy to have. Well written and beautifully illustrated, I found this book a pleasure to own. As a dedicated Benz owner, I can appreciate the attention to detail that exists in this book.
Almost as heavy as the car!
The amount of factual material lavished in this tome about the origins of the motor car and the search for excellence via the Mercedes Benz brand should keep the afficianado glued for hours.The pictures are also excellent.Written in about three or four languages within the same book, the descriptions are backed by photographs - good ones charting the evolution of the Merc from the 19th century right to the modern sleek saloon.I think this is very much for the Mercedes buff or collector and I bought it as a gift.I think this book would be good if it showed how the Merc could grow some wings and start being more in harmony with the Earth's environment based on what sort of fuel it burns and fuel efficiency rather than just talk about technical specifications in self congratulatory terms.Still this book is about "man's" achievement with the motor car and there are things in this which you could admire. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - General    2. Automotive - History    3. Automotive - Pictorial    4. Transportation    5. Automotive technology    6. Road & motor vehicles: general interest   

Reviews (1)

Excellent Service!
The item arrived very well packaged and protected.5 Star service~Great seller ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - History    3. Automotive - Pictorial    4. Transportation    5. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (1)

Great Porsche Book
This book is a must read for anyone who owns or even just admires an early, mid, or late year 911 and enjoys its performance.
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Subjects:  1. Automobile Engine    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Foreign - High Performance & Engine Rebuilding    4. Automotive - General    5. Transportation    6. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (1)

much practical advice for transit planning
How to plan an urban transit system of buses and trains?Vuchic offers a textsuitable to accompany an undergraduate course in urban planning. It describes many aspects of transit. Like the ability to have articulated buses that have capacities 50% greater than standard buses. By using these on dedicated bus lanes, overall transitcapacity can be enhanced. We see how multiple public agencies need to cooperate, to let such methods achieve optimalpotential.
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Subjects:  1. Engineering - Civil    2. General    3. Local transit    4. Planning    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Transportation    8. Urban transportation    9. Architecture    10. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    11. Technology / Engineering / Civil   

Reviews (11)

Excellent gift
I bought "The Cobra in the Barn" book for my husband.He loves it!

Good Coffee Table Book
Good book for the waiting room of an upscale independent auto repair shop or the "reading room" in you own home; i.e. circumstances where you don't expect to read a book cover to cover.Some of the vignettes are very well written.Some are not.The latter fact is more noticeable because they all have the same story line.Several of those near the end of the book immerse the reader in minutiae about a particular car's history that only that car's owner could possibly care about.Overall, I enjoyed the portions I read, but will pass it on to a friend confident that he will do the same when he's finished with it.

A fun, light read for a car guy like me
I have scouted, searched, and on occasion bought an old car that has been sitting somewhere without a "for sale" sign on it. This book reads like the journal I'd like to write.The cars and their circumstances are mostly unique situations, and the lost/found and long term pursuit angles are the best.For the most part the buyers have a genuine interest, if not a personal one, in the cars they seek.Thankfully, the megabucks trophy collectors and hoarders who fill their warehouses (and ruin it for most everyone else) don't dominate the book.
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Subjects:  1. Antique and classic cars    2. Automotive - History    3. Cobra automobile    4. History    5. Miscellanea    6. Transportation    7. Automotive technology    8. Motor cars: general interest    9. Transportation / Automotive / Domestic / History   

Subjects:  1. Automotive - History    2. Transportation    3. 20th century    4. History of specific subjects    5. Motor sports    6. Sicily    7. Transportation / Automotive / Foreign / General   

Reviews (16)

the textbook on Bosch fuel injection
Written as a textbook and how-to. Good illustrations.Best when used with the Bosch factory manual

Very good book
I bought this book as a companion to my VW Vanagon book.Since I was new to fuel injection, and the Vanagon book had little/no troubleshooting information, I was completely stumped with fuel injection/ignition problems after a major overhaul of my '85 waterboxer engine.The Bosch book was a life saver. Not only did I (quickly) get my engine running, but I now understand how the whole thing works.Even for people who don't have Bosch systems and want to learn how fuel injection works, this is a good book.

Great book, but...
This is an excellent book detailing the theory of operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of Bosch fuel injection systems. It covers in great detail all models of the Bosch systems. The modifing and tuning chapter is a bit lacking, though. It gives you some ideas about how to modify the system, but doesn't go into very much detail. The part I was most looking forward to reading about was recalibrating the air flow meter. The book only had three paragraphs on recalibration and didn't even touch on how to do it. Oh well, there is always the internet... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Customizing    4. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    5. Automotive Fuel Systems    6. Fuel injection systems    7. Maintenance and repair    8. Motors    9. Robert Bosch GmbH    10. Transportation    11. Automotive (motor mechanic) skills   

Reviews (3)

Riverside RV Park, Arcadia,Florida
WE used the guide to locate an Rv park for our first rv adventure in the new MH. We enjoyed a great Memorial Day weekend at this first class park Thanks to Trailer Life...

2006 Trailer Life Directory
We have just purchased our first 5th wheel and are leaving this week for a lengthy trip. This book looks like it will be very helpful. We have compared it to AAA Campbooks as well as the tour books. We are taking all three.

Wouldn'tbuy it again.
I bought this directory to get more information on the campgrounds,However it turns out its just alot of wasted pages that have marketing and advertising. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Parks & Campgrounds    2. Travel    3. Travel - General    4. Travel / Parks & Campgrounds   

Reviews (2)

A fascinating, detailed account
BOX BOATS: HOW CONTAINER SHIPS CHANGED THE WORLD tells how the first container ship in 1956 changed the entire shipping industry, introducing a concept and transportation idea which would revolutionize the costs of shipping goods. From the Pan-Atlantic's owner who first thought about loading his trucks on board to his evolving line which grew into a giant container service, Cudahy charts not just the evolution of one company, but its impact on and changes within the world shipping and steamship industries as a whole. A fascinating, detailed account.
Story of the Development of a New Industry
Like a lot of other significant advances in technology modern dry cargo carriage was really put together by one man, Malcom McLean. Fifty years ago McLean, the president of McLean Trucking came up with the idea of taking trailers directly on board ships for transport to a port near their final destination. To minimize the space requirements, he had a special trailer developed that would carry a standardized trailer body. The idea of the container was born.
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Subjects:  1. Container ships    2. Containerization    3. General    4. History    5. Maritime History    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - History    7. Transportation    8. SHIPS_CARGO    9. Ships & shipping: general interest    10. Technology / Industrial Design / Packaging   

Reviews (4)

i think the book is great and informative
i want to see where the starter is located on the 1989 toyota camr

Terrible choice!!!!!! I'll try to return it!!!!
One star is way too much for this book. I got the newest version three days ago and it was like getting a repair manual for a toy. I've got a Camry 91 with a v6 engine and this book had virtually nothing I could use.Not even a decent set of diagrams and instructions to replace the sparkplugs...!!!! Forget about anything else like a CV boot replacement or atiming belt replacement. I hope the publisher sees my review.

AWFUL! Do not buy this book!!!!!!
This must be the most useless book I have every seen on auto maintenance and repair. If you're looking for any info on your Camry, look elsewhere. Due to the nature of the book (13 years of camry), you will not find *ANY*specifics on your particular model. No part numbers listed anywhere in themanual. Diagrams are ambiguous at best. Instructions read like they werepulled from a high school auto shop manual. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    3. Camry automobile    4. Foreign Auto And Light Truck Repair    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Maintenance and repair    7. Transportation    8. Automotive technology    9. Transportation / Automotive / General    10. Transportation / Automotive / Repair & Maintenance / General    11. Vehicle workshop manuals   

Reviews (8)

Great Beginner Book
This book immediately draws you in and teaches you the basics. The first few chapters are really easy to read and understand. It does get harder at the end but by then you're hooked. I read this one before moving on the FAA manual. If I had started with the FAA manual I would have been completely lost.

Learning to fly helicopters
Learning to fly helicopters is an undertaking unlike no other. It is more of a calling, actually. And a huge commitment of time, money, and energy. Mr. Padfield understands this. He knows what it feels like to learn, get scared, become frustrated, and he helps the reader through it all with warm humor and inspiration. The text is clear and readable with many helpful illustrations. This is a great book to read as you study, to refer to as a beginning pilot, or to refresh your memory with. This book is unlike the majority of instructional volumes which are very dry and where the authors either talk down to the reader or lapse into technical jargon. Learning to fly helicopters is fun to read and very helpful
Informative, well-written, and an all-around fun book
I read this book before I started my helicopter training justabout two years ago.Since then, I have bought and read just about every book about rotary-wing aircraft that I can get my hands on.This book is fundamental in nature, but fairly complete none the less and an absolute joy to read.I recently read it again and loved it more than when I first picked it up.Of all the helicopter books I have read this one is still by far my favorite. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Air Sports    3. Aviation - Piloting & Flight Instruction    4. Helicopters    5. Piloting    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Transportation    9. Aviation skills / piloting    10. Transportation / Aviation / Piloting & Flight Instruction