Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods

Book Description

Now in its Fourth Edition, Fundamentals of Building Construction is an essential textbook that has been used by thou-sands of students annually in schools of architecture, engineering, and construction technology. The best-selling reference focuses on the basic materials and methods used in building construction. Emphasizing common construction systems such as light wood frames, masonry bearing walls, steel frames, and reinforced concrete, the new edition includes new coverage of green design and energy-efficient construction energies, and is based on the International Building Code(r).

Customer Reviews:

my leisure reading.......2007-08-30

this book is an excellent overview of construction materials and practices. i really recommend this book to beginning structural/civil engineers who want to know more about construction. I would absolutely recommend this to architects because it's very practical.

it helps.......2007-04-08

We used this book in my building construction class i took as a second year architecture student. The book is good for people who are learning the basics of how things work, are put together, what types of materials are used for different situations, etc. However if you are looking for detailed drawings, I would go elsewhere. The book is good for generalized explanations, so I did learn a lot from it.

Beautiful.......2007-03-09

The item was brand new. No scratches, no nothing..
Thanks a lot..

Guide for construction.......2006-03-24

Every engineer must have one copy of this book.This is an updated edition of the previous ones.Very detailed description and pictures about construction.

Good book.......2005-09-18

It's relatively well written and good for starter who are new to building construction.

Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam, 10th Edition

Average customer rating:

There's just no competition . . . .
A Must Have
Good so far
AMAZON CREDIT DISCOUNT A TRICK DON'T DO IT
A C.E. must-have

Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam, 10th Edition
Michael R. Lindeburg
Manufacturer: Professional Publications (CA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1591260434

Book Description

The Most Trusted Reference for the Civil PE Exam…is Also the Most Up-To-Date

As the most comprehensive reference and study guide available for engineers preparing for the breadth-and-depth civil PE examination, the tenth edition of the Civil Engineering Reference Manual provides a concentrated review of the exam topics. No other exam-focused publication is more complete. CERM10 provides the topical review and the support material you need to pass the civil PE exam.

New for the 10th Edition New structural design standards Updates to over 14 chapters 12 new concrete column interaction diagrams Revised tables of data and fundamental constants 100 new index entries

Organized by Subject Areas Covered on the Exam Environmental Geotechnical Structural Transportation Water Resources

Customer Reviews:

There's just no competition . . . ........2007-09-26

. . . . and that's the main problem with this book.

My main gripes are:

1. The author's basic premise in designing the book and accompanying practice exam/problems is that the only good preparation is over preparation. To that end, many of the problems and examples are gratuitously overcomplicated with unit conversions or problem assumptions that are far afield of actual exam questions.

2. The author seems to have a deep set insecurity that propels him to focus on witless minutia. The most glaring example of this is his ongoing obsession with gravity and the distinction between "lbf" vs "lbm" that needlessly over complicates familiar formulas throughout the manual. The exam doesn't ask us to calculate the unit weight of soil on the moon or to make frequent conversions between SI and English units so what's the point? Yes, the English system is silly but, NO, it doesn't need to be over complicated.

3. Apart from the introduction, the book really doesn't focus on the PE Exam at all. Notably absent are strategies for solving problems of a type that frequently recur on the exam. Nor is there any sort of notation that might indicate that a particular discussion thread is really more suited for the "PM Depth" exam than the general "AM breadth" preparation. The book is really more a collection of helpful knowledge than an exam preparation guide.

All in all, this manual tries to be too much to too many people. With five separate engineering disciplines, each examinee must derive their own studying focus without any real guidance from the author.

PPI should make reference manuals for each discipline that reflect each discipline's corresponding exam focus.

A Must Have.......2007-05-20

This was definitely useful during the test. It's the Bible for civil engineers. One advantage of this book is the glossary in the back since the a few test questions will test you on knowledge of specific engineering words. Get it!

Good so far.......2007-05-14

Good for reviewing for the PE exam, very comprehensive. Note: I haven't taken the exam yet.

AMAZON CREDIT DISCOUNT A TRICK DON'T DO IT.......2007-02-26

The advertisement for a $30 credit is deceiving, don't fall for it.

A C.E. must-have.......2007-02-05

Same author helped me pass the F.E. (EIT) with the study book that he has available for that, and hopefully this one will do the same when it's time for me to take the P.E.

Average customer rating:

A good guide from start to finish
Learn a lot
very good all-around reference
Difficult to follow!
A Must Have Pub

Land Development Handbook (Handbook)
The Dewberry Companies
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Professional
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0071375252

Book Description

Successfully navigate the confusing maze of land development

If you're looking for cutting-edge blockbuster coverage of the land development process, the search ends here! Written by one of the nation's premier consulting firms, this new edition delivers up-to-date coverage of planning, engineering, and surveying . . . all with over 700 illustrations, including diagrams, detailed drawings, plats, and reports generated at the various design stages, as well as charts, tables, and more.

This edition includes regulatory changes; new data on open space areas for landscape architects; coverage of the latest advances in GPS and GIS technology; new perspectives on urban growth; and updated case studies, plans, and details. You'll find a thorough description of the design and approval process for residential, commercial, and retail land development projects and access to valuable bottom-line information on:

* Environmental issues, including erosion and sediment control, storm water management, environmental impact studies and assessments, and water quality
* Types of local regulations; where to get necessary project approval; what to expect during the process
* Site analysis and selection criteria for feasibility studies
* Technical information on the design of suburban infrastructure components such as water treatment and supply systems, sanitary sewer systems, storm drain systems, and roads
* The complete spectrum of surveying methods, including Global Positioning System Surveys and Geographic Information Systems

Customer Reviews:

A good guide from start to finish .......2007-07-24

As a general civil engineer in private practice this book has provided a good overview on the more abstract side of land development including financing, rezoning, and public involvement. All of which, are topics that typical engineers strugle with as it is not the enjoyable aspect of what engineers are trained to do. Nevertheless, these abstract components are just as real as the plans we develop. Of course, the book is excellent for hands on design and calculation support.

Learn a lot.......2007-05-13

As a novice developer, this book put me on the right track without all the confusion and terms I would have never understood. It was simple to understand and after reading it, I felt like I knew a lot more. Very interesting and satisfying. Great reference guide all the way around.

very good all-around reference.......2004-03-01

I primarily work as a structural-architectural engineer and am becoming more and more involved in civil-site work. This handbook is exactly what I was looking for in terms of something that would quickly get me "up to speed" in the fundamentals of civil-site design.
Of course, no single book could (or should) be thought of as a substitute for the experience and mentoring received from seasoned professionals in a design office, but this one has enough technical explanation and details to get you going with confidence.
I choose this one over the Colley book (reviewed both before making purchase) as Land Development Handbook has more of the technical info that engineers would seek.

Difficult to follow!.......2003-12-16

I am in a class at Community College of Baltimore County and we are using this book at this time. Our whole class along with the Professor find this book to be very difficult to follow. The book constantly repeats itself making it extremely boring to read and is not fluent at all. They have examples that reference charts that are 3-5 pages apart from the problem being discussed the formulas you almost have to figure out for yourself how they are used and there are alot of typos.
I recomend burning this book!!!!!!!

A Must Have Pub.......2002-07-04

Ever since I purchased this publication I can't stop using it. Every civil engineer should have this as part of their reference library, regardless of your area of specialty. It provides macro to micro scale explanations of general processes, design applications, etc in a very readable format. More times than I can remember I have looked to this book for an answer or at least for some guidance and was throuroughly satisfied. No it is not a definitive reference for civil engineers but its' breadth and usability overshadows any technical shortcomings. If I had to have just one reference book for my area of practice (general civil), this would be it. Yeah, yeah, the "Standard Handbook for Civil Engineers" is a more definitive reference, but I usually find out what I need in this pub.

Book Description

A complete revision of the definitive work on the subject of stress concentration. This new edition updates all of the graphics with computer-generated art which incorporates both a visual representation of the product/structure under consideration along with the graph of the stress concentration factors. Contains extensive material on how to perform computer analyses for stress concentrations and how to design to reduce them. A "quick-finder" feature has been provided for locating frequently used charts.

Customer Reviews:

New & Improved? NOT.......2005-09-16

I have access to Peterson's original book (older than me?) and to the first edition of this one, published in 1974. I recommend buying used copies of the old ones. They contain the same info and are easier to use since the charts are bigger.

Guide to Stress Risers and Other Structural Phenomena.......2003-12-22

Absolutely essential book for anybody interested in stresses in notched bodies; structural analysts who like to use the 'back of the envelope', finite element analysts, fracture mechanicists; designers in aerospace, rail, heavy machinery, light machinery, medical devices, almost anything you can name. Book has been updated from the original; even if you have the original edition, this 2nd edition is well worth having for your engineering reference library.

AN EXCELLENT BOOK.......2000-06-29

This is an excellent book. I found the book to be extremely informative and thoghtfully written. I recommend this book for anyone that is interested in applications of stress and strain analysis.

Peterson's Stress Concentration Factors, 2nd Edition.......2000-06-29

The definitive book of stress concentration factors...updated from Peterson's original edition. This is the ultimate source for aerospace engineers dealing with design and analysis. Other engineering disciplines should find it equally useful. The book is more compact, yet thicker than the original but the the figures are very clear and readable. Explanations appear much the same.

Average customer rating:

Design of Wood Structures ASD/LRFD
The Most Connon typ of Construction

Design of Wood Structures-ASD/LRFD
Donald E. Breyer , Kenneth J. Fridley , Jr., David G Pollock , and Kelly Cobeen
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Professional
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0071455396

Book Description

The leading text and reference on wood design, updated to include the latest codes and data

Continued the sterling standard set by earlier editions, this indispensable reference leads you through the complete design of a wood structure (except for the foundation), following the same sequence used in the actual design/construction process.

Customer Reviews:

Design of Wood Structures ASD/LRFD.......2007-03-12

Excellent. Very well organized and numerous examples. I have followed this author from 3 of his previous editions of this book.

The Most Connon typ of Construction.......2007-03-03

Now in it's sixth edition, this book has become the standard text on the design and construction of buildings made of wood. While most wooden structures are residences, the book also covers multi story wooden structures such as apartment houses, commercial buildings with wooden roofs, and to a limited extent newer techniques such as glue-laminate beams.

The book is suitable for use either as a text for a course or as a reference for self study. The sixth edition of this book was promoted by five major developments:

1. Publication of new dual-format (ASD/LRFD) wood design criteria in the 2005 National Design Specification for Wood Construction.

2. Publication of the new Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) Supplement to the NDS.

3. Publication of the comprehensive ASD/LRFD Manual for Engineered Wood Construction.

4. Publication and increased adoption nationally of the 2006 International Building Code. ==5. Publication of updated load standards in the 2005 edition of Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures.

Prestressed Concrete: A Fundamental Approach (5th Edition)

Average customer rating:

Terrible
A great book for design
Very Badly Written
A Useful Tool for Students or Professionals
It's dishonest to sell this book.

Prestressed Concrete: A Fundamental Approach (5th Edition)
Edward G Nawy
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0131497596

Book Description

Completely revised to reflect the new ACI 318-05 Building Code and International Building Code, IBC 2000 and its 2002 modifications, this popular book offers a unique approach to examining the design of prestressed concrete members in a logical, step-by-step trial and adjustment procedure. Integrates handy flow charts to help readers better understand the steps needed for design and analysis. Includes a revised chapter containing the latest ACI and AASHTO Provisions on the design of post-tensioned beam end anchorage blocks using the strut-and-tie approach in conformity with ACI 318-05 Code. Offers a new complete section with two extensive design examples using the strut-and-tie approach for the design of corbels and deep beams. Features an addition to the elastic method of design, with comprehensive design examples on LRFD and Standard AASHTO designs of bridge deck members for flexure, shear and torsion, conforming to the latest AASHTO 2003 specifications. Includes a revised chapter on slender columns, including a simplified load-contour biaxial bending method which is easier to apply in desiign, using moments rather than loads in the reciprocal approach. A useful construction reference for engineers.

Customer Reviews:

Terrible.......2005-01-06

This book is full of errors. The publisher will do great service to the engineering profession (to humanity by extension) by immediately withdrawing this book from the market. Unorganized, incoherent, almost schizophrenic.

A great book for design.......2002-12-19

There are seven of us (structural engineer / bridge designer) have been using this book successfully for our daily bridge design.
Our experience ranges from 20 + years to 3 + years. The clear detailed definition of each subject (theory), the recommended specifications from different organizations such as PCI, ACI, AASHTO, the step by step procedures, great example solutions and the flow charts gave us the opportunity not only to understand it well but also to be able to write it in several simple computer programs.
We have been enjoying using Dr. Nawy's book for years.

Very Badly Written.......2002-10-20

Like all of Professor Nawy's books, this one is extremely badly written. There are numerous typos and mistakes, although some are kind of entertaining. The Reinforced Concrete Book for example discusses the "modulus of rapture" of concrete. The chapter on Unbonded Post-tensioning in the Concrete Construction book discusses "prostrating tendons".

This is probably not a bad book for an experienced engineer, and might even be considered a useful exercise, since nothing in the book should be relied on without checking at least one other reference. It is not a book that should be used to learn prestressed concrete design however.

A Useful Tool for Students or Professionals.......2002-09-23

Sure there may be some typographical errors, but the subject of prestressed concrete design is itself complex and detailed. To address the complexity, the author lays down systematic methods that, in the end, is only limited to the abilities of professionals and students who use them. Furthermore, the structure of the subject matter and example problems offers practicing engineers a valuable reference for prestressed design.

It's dishonest to sell this book........2001-10-28

I used this book for a senior/graduate prestressed concrete class. The chapter headings looked appropriate. But the book is loaded with errors. As near as I can tell, no example in the book is correct. Early on I contacted the author about a few errors and got no meaningful response. Finally, I sent a partial list of errors and the names of my unfortunate students who bought the book to the publisher. They allowed my students to exchange the book.

Recovering from selecting this book and switching to other resources cost me many hours. Although, going through the books by Collins and Menn was very useful.

Book Description

Discover the Principles that Support the Practice

Combining multimedia, realistic situations, clear explanations, and practical examples, Budhu's Second Edition of Soil Mechanics and Foundations helps you quickly master the key principles behind the practice of soil mechanics. Using language that is easy to understand, the text explains key concepts and principles in the context of basic mechanics, physics, and mathematics. Many worked-out examples illustrate problem-solving techniques step by step.

You'll have many unique opportunities for interactive exploration, as you learn the fundamentals of soil mechanics, including:
* How to characterize and classify soils
* How to plan and conduct a soil investigation
* The role of effective stresses, consolidation, shear strength, and critical state soil mechanics linking consolidation and shear strength
* The effects of seepage on stability
* How to estimate bearing capacity and settlement
* How to analyze and design simple geotechnical systems

Now revised, this Second Edition features a new chapter on basic geology, more examples and problems, shorter chapters, and a stronger integration with the resources on the accompanying CD. Users can follow different learning pathways depending on the educational goals.

Multimedia resources provide a hands-on learning environment

The CD packaged with this textbook includes:
* Virtual soils laboratory
* Interactive animations of basic concepts
* Interactive problem solving
* Interactive step-by-step examples
* Electronic quizzes
* Computer programs

Customer Reviews:

Weak and Inconsistent.......2007-07-07

I have to disagree with all of the 5 star ratings of this book. I'm very happy people were able to find it useful, but I found this textbook to be confusing, frustrating, illogical, and weak on content. The examples are poor. The text often doesn't explain itself clearly. The problems are often extremely tedious, repetitive, and inconsistent to the chapter they are relating to. The writing quality is poor, and more than once I discovered formulas that were frustratingly inaccurate (symbols misused, numbers incorrect). Please do not write me off as a complainer, I got a good grade in the class and learned a lot about soils. I just expected a lot better quality and more detailed materials for the price of this rather thin textbook. In my opinion, Check back after a few editions.

Bearing of capacity of soils and settlement of shallow foundations.......2007-02-19

Collapse and failure loads
Bearing Capacity
Settlement

Very Sucessful Book.......2003-01-28

This book is a very sucessful presentation of soil mechanics and foundation engineering. It builds up the concepts step by step. There are many good features of this books, as partly covered by reviewers below. The inclusion of critical state soil mechanics is a A+ for this book. In the light of this tutorial model, the stress-strain-strength behaviors of cohesive and cohesionless soils under drained or undrained condition are no longer a mystery to the learners. With this book, you can feel what soils feel in the field....

very sucessful book.......2003-01-28

This book is a very sucessful presentation of soil mechanics and foundation engineering. It builds up the concepts step by
step. There are many good features of this books, as partly covered by reviewers below. The inclusion of critical state
soil mechanics is a A+ for this book. In the light of this
tutorial model, the stress-strain-strength behaviors of
cohesive and cohesionless soils under drained or undrained
condition are no longer a mystery to the learners. With this
book, you can feel what soils feel in the field....

Under-graduate Soil Mechanics.......2002-05-26

This soil mechanics book is one of the best put-together books I have come across. The CD included with the book makes it well worth the high cost. The video clips along with the animated demonstration media clips are extremely helpful in grasping the idea at hand. The follow-along labs. are very helpful. Design of flow nets is covered exceptionally well. Certainly one of my favorite textbooks.

Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse

Average customer rating:

Wish there was something better out there.
Good Catalog
Packed with Information, Riddled with Typos and Omissions
Bible of Wastewater Engineering
MUST HAVE FOR ALL SANITARY ENGINEERS

Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse
George Tchobanoglous , and H. David Stensel
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0070418780

Book Description

Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse, 4/e is a thorough update of McGraw-Hill's authoritative book on wastewater treatment. No environmental engineering professional or civil or and environmental engineering major should be without a copy of this book- tt describes the technological and regulatory changes that have occurred over the last ten years in this discipline, including: improved techniques for the characterization of wastewaters; improved fundamental understanding of many of the existing unit operations and processes used for wastewater treatment, especially those processes used for the biological removal of nutrients; greater implementation of several newer treatment technologies (e.g., UV disinfection, membrane filtration, and heat drying); greater concern for the long term health and environmental impacts of wastewater constituents; greater emphasis on advanced wastewater treatment and risk assessment for water reuse applications; changes in regulations and the development of new technologies for wastewater disinfection; and new regulations governing the treatment, reuse, and disposal of sludge (biosolids). Greater concern for infrastructure renewal including upgrading the design and performance of wastewater treatment plants.

This revision contains a strong focus on advanced wastewater treatment technologies and stresses the reuse aspects of wastewater and biosolids.

Customer Reviews:

Wish there was something better out there........2007-03-06

Although this book is one of the largest information sources for WWTP design, it is also poorly formatted and illogical in presentation of material. The reason is because it is a compilation of many individuals so there is much redundancy, some conflicting information and incoherency in the overall text. If you are looking to LEARN how to design a WWTP you will need a good aid in addition to this text. Otherwise, it is fine if you know what you are looking for.

Good Catalog.......2007-01-13

I bought this huge volume so I could develop some puzzles in our magazine. Chemical engineers need to expand into this area largely inhabited by misplaced civil engineers. As water shortages become more prevalent, continuous recycling of water will become a necessity in chemical plants. Then, there is the cost of process chemicals needed to treat water. Many of these are hazardous wastes. You will need to know what your options are for conditioning these waters.

The author covers every form of wastewater treatment in significant detail for its genre (handbooks). I especially liked the block diagrams showing process steps. As with most handbooks, more examples would improve its use. However, with that aside, it shares a space on my shelf.

If this review helped, add your vote.

Packed with Information, Riddled with Typos and Omissions.......2005-06-09

I have been using this text in a wastewater engineering course. It covers the different aspects of wastewater engineering well, providing in depth treatments of each. However, the great size of this book (over 1800 pages) may also be its weakness, making it an unmanageable project for the editors.

In one month of usage, I have found serious gaps in the problems. Many cross-references are incorrect, and there are some problems which omit values required for solution.

In short, this is a good source of information. With closer editing, it could be better.

Bible of Wastewater Engineering.......2005-03-11

This is the bible of Wastewater Engineering. I'm currently a student studying Civil/Environmental Engineering and every professor I've talked to in my department has recommended this book for any type of Wastewater Treatment Plant design. If this book doesn't have the information you want (unlikely), the WEF MOP might.

MUST HAVE FOR ALL SANITARY ENGINEERS.......2004-12-08

I can't stress enough the value in this text. Like my title states this is a must have for all sanitary engineers. The book covers everything you must know concerning wastewater treatment written by professionals working in the field. I would hope some day that they publish a book on pump stations and sanitary sewer design as well. I think that they would also be on the top of the list for these areas as well.

Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (The Mcgraw-Hill Series in Civil and Environmental Engineering)

Average customer rating:

Solid textbook
False advertisement

Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (The Mcgraw-Hill Series in Civil and Environmental Engineering)
J.M. Smith , Hendrick C Van Ness , and Michael Abbott
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Accessories:

ASIN: 0073104450

Book Description

Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, 7/e, presents comprehensive coverage of the subject of thermodynamics from a chemical engineering viewpoint. The text provides a thorough exposition of the principles of thermodynamics and details their application to chemical processes. The chapters are written in a clear, logically organized manner, and contain an abundance of realistic problems, examples, and illustrations to help students understand complex concepts. New ideas, terms, and symbols constantly challenge the readers to think and encourage them to apply this fundamental body of knowledge to the solution of practical problems.

The comprehensive nature of this book makes it a useful reference both in graduate courses and for professional practice. The seventh edition continues to be an excellent tool for teaching the subject of chemical engineering thermodynamics to undergraduate students.

Customer Reviews:

Solid textbook.......2006-02-25

This is a solid thermo textbook. Goes over concepts and theories fairly well. There are plenty of worked out examples throughout the chapters and appendixes so you know what you're doing. The authors explain everything in a clear and cohesive manner. Somethings are overwhelming, but it is thermodynamics. Plenty of appendixes for steam tables, interroplation, unit conversions, and virial equation constants, etc.

I suggest you get the Schaum's outline as a good reference too.

False advertisement.......2005-10-04

I received the book, but not what I was expecting. The book was advertised as a hardback, but the book received was paperback. The book was an international edition, and not for resale in North America.

The Machine That Changed the World : The Story of Lean Production

Average customer rating:

Improving the improvements
Future of the American Auto Industry revealed
Excellent Introduction to Lean Production
Great book, but now dated and perhaps a bit too fawning
A paradigm shift, and now I understand "Lean" a whole lot better

The Machine That Changed the World : The Story of Lean Production
James P. Womack , Daniel T. Jones , and Daniel Roos
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060974176

Book Description

This volume carefully traces the rise of the Toyota system from its take-off point in Ford's mass production system to its spread across the world, starting with the NUMMI joint venture with General Motors in California and now advancing in Europe, Latin America, and East Asia as well. It then identifies and describes the advantages of this system, which needs less of everything including time, human effort, inventories, and investment to produce products with fewer defects in smaller volumes at lower costs for fragmenting markets. The Machine That Changed the World even gave the system its name: lean. P In the decade since its launch in the fall of 1990, The Machine That Changed the World has sold more than 600,000 copies in 11 languages and has introduced a whole generation of managers and engineers to lean thinking. No lean library is complete without this groundbreaking book. P "The fundamentals of this system are applicable to every industry across the globea[and] will have a profound effect on human society. It will truly change the world." - New York Times p i Paperback / 1990 / 323 pages /i

Customer Reviews:

Improving the improvements.......2007-05-20

Lean production started with Henry Ford's car for the masses. Toyota took the old idea of customization combined with mass production to create their mass customization model. Quality is important in the product and focus on what is important to the client allows us to know what qualities make the most difference."If it aint broke don't fix it." Providing an affordable product was 20th century sales. Improving the improvements that are critically important to the client is 21st century marketing. The book proves it through the automotive manufacturing model.

Future of the American Auto Industry revealed.......2007-02-07

If this this book had been required reading for everyone employed at Chrysler, Ford & GM, the US auto industry may not be in the dire position it is today.

Excellent Introduction to Lean Production.......2007-02-01

This book provides an excellent introduction to lean techniques. I am college student majoring in mechanical engineering and needed something that could give me an overview of lean production and help me understand how it differs from mass production. The book certainly meets that criteria. While it does not give many case studies of how companies can convert to lean production, "Lean Thinking" by the same authors does do that and is also an excellent book.

The authors performed many years of research before publishing their data and can provide hard numbers to back up their claims that lean production is simply a better method. If you're looking for something to introduce you to lean production, this is the book to get.

Great book, but now dated and perhaps a bit too fawning.......2007-01-23

The title sets the tone the authors carry throughout the book. A little too much glorifying. A little too much hype. Yes, what Toyota and others did was impressive. But no, they did not change the world. In my opinion, not even close.

And this book is dated. In fact, though written in the early '90s, it reads more like many of the books written about Japanese management in the early '80s. Books like "Japan As Number One." Or "Trading Places." At the time, the Japanese were thought to be able to do no wrong.

Now, of course, we know that Japanese executives and managers are mere mortals too. Toyota has certainly done better than most Japanese companies over the last 15 years. And part of the reason -- a big part probably -- has been the effectiveness of their management in areas like lean production. But even without the benefit of the hindsight we now have, the authors of this book should have realized that their unstinted praise was not warranted. Even for the brains behind Toyota.

Still, this book is the best I have found on the history of the "Industry of Industries." It traces the history of the automobile industry from craft production to mass production to lean production. No other book I have read has done that so well.

And for an academic book, The Machine That Changed the World is easy to read. It keeps a careful balance between informing the reader and keeping the reader's interest. Most writers, particularly of works like this, tilt too much one way or the other. Either too dry and pedantic or too light and entertaining. A happy medium is hard to achieve.

Where does the auto industry go from here? Lean production is no longer exceptional. It has become the rule. But it seems to have run its course.

The future of the automobile industry may lie in "collaborative production." Major automakers concentrate on sales and service, not production. Suppliers develop specialized skills in technologies from hybrid power trains to drive-by-wire control systems. And everyone sells to everyone else. Technology becomes less important than brand.

If that is the case, Toyota may still lead the pack. In Business Week's list of the top 100 global brands, Toyota leads all carmakers at number 7. No one has caught Toyota napping on the increasing importance of brand.

Even so, Toyota fiercely defends the idea that is a motor company, not a sales company. Innovative technology and excellent manufacturing have been much more of a focus than sales. Will it be able to adapt if the industry does change?

An interesting question that we should see answered in the next few years. Like many good history books, The Machine That Changed the World gives us hints as to what that future will be.

A paradigm shift, and now I understand "Lean" a whole lot better.......2006-10-24

_The Machine the Changed the World_ by Womack, Jones & Roos is nominally about how Japanese carmakers came up with new ways to meet some difficult challenges. But really, it is about lean manufacturing and why lean manufacturing should be successor to current mass-production methods.

The authors did much of their research for the book while working at the International Motor Vehicle Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. That program was sponsored by a large number of car companies who wanted to understand why the Japanese way of manufacturing (especially as practiced by Toyota) had had such different results from older American & European car companies.

Consequently, the book does focus entirely on the automotive industry. Originally, the first automobiles were custom-made (and often handmade) to the exact specifications of individual buyers, who were usually quite wealthy. Henry Ford wanted to get beyond that and create an automobile that did not need hand-fitting and hand-crafting of every single piece, and that could be built by people who had not already spent ten years in an apprenticeship for a very specific and specialized craft. In his efforts to get beyond the craftsman era, Ford developed a lot of the concepts and attitudes that still define mass-production today.

For decades, manufacturers and especially car assemblers from all over the world would make a pilgrimage to Ford Motor Co. to better understand what wondrous thing this was that Ford had created. Among those was Eiji Toyoda, a member of the family that had founded Toyota Motor Company. While he found much of Ford's work interesting, he also saw a lot of wasted time & effort. Furthermore, Toyota was faced with some challenges that neither Ford (Ford Motor Co.) or Alfred Sloan (General Motors) had ever had to deal with, such as a work force that they almost could not fire, and a severe lack of investment funds.

In dealing with those challenges and in trying to eliminate waste, Toyota Motor Company (and many other Japanese companies) developed what it today known as "lean" manufacturing.

Unfortunately, most presentations of "lean" in the U.S. seem to focus on some of the surface features, such as smaller batch runs, a focus on a neat & orderly work space, and not carrying a lot of inventory.

This is where _The Machine That Changed the World_ really shines, because it explores the thought processes behind the surface features, and explains how lean thinking affects every department of a company, not just manufacturing. The requirements & results of a lean mentality in purchasing, product design, and marketing are all examined as well.

The book was published in 1991, and is therefore a bit dated in some respects. The authors look very favorably towards the Japanese banking & finance system, yet that same system has been having ongoing problems since the mid-1990s. The authors predicted a number of problems -- in marketing, market share, and labor relations -- for GM, Chrysler, and Ford, as well as many of the European auto makers. While I know some of those predictions have come to pass, I would dearly love to see a second edition of this book that goes into more detail about what has happened in the automotive industry during the last 15 years.

Finally, I would have liked to have seen some discussion about implementing a company-wide lean structure in an American company. I have seen references in numerous books to Americans having atypical attitudes regarding individuality vs. other cultures that stress a conformance with society, and while I do believe the lean mentality could (and probably should) be implemented almost anywhere, I think there will be some specific aspects of American culture that will force a slightly different implementation than was done in Japan.

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