Product Description
From chaos and complexitytheory totopology, fromoptimization to datascapes:the design and constructionof complex, sublimebuildings that will changethe way we perceivemajor structures.Ever since building began, architecture has relied on mathematicsto achieve visual harmony, structural integrity, and logical construction.For most of the history of building, architects have applied theprinciples of Euclidean geometry, the description of points, lines,and volumes according to the three axes of space.

Recently, however, digital design tools and massive computerprocessing power, along with an increasing interest in physics andpure mathematics, have given architects the means to describe andbuild spatial constructs that would have been inconceivable eventen years ago.

This carefully researched survey of some forty internationalprojects—largely built—offers an overview of how differentstrategies are being employed through accessible illustrations andclear text. Each section presents case studies of projects by globallyrecognized architects through diagrams, photographs, and texts. 300 color and 200 black-and-white photographs and illustrations ... Read more

Product Description
Taking a visually-oriented approach, "Statics and Strength of Materials for Architecture and Building Construction, Third Edition", presents basic structural concepts in an easily understood manner. The authors introduce structural theory without relying on calculus. Instead using building examples and illustrations to supplement the book and introduce mathematically based material in a non-threatening way. This edition features many fully-worked example problems, a new supplemental CD-ROM, a section on retaining walls and clearer connections between written and visual elements. Extensive treatment of load tracing (paths) in an organized and heavily illustrated manner. Includes a CD containing additional problems with solutions for further practice. New section discussing the basic principles of concrete retaining walls using free-body diagrams and the equations of equillibrium. Building inspectors or people training to become inspectors or plans checkers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Book is a book.
I gave this book 4 out of five stars, because of the confusing, in my opinion, way the problems are set up. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with it.

work book not a text book
This "text" book has a lot of nicely drawn images and plenty of problems to work on but when you look through it to help figure out how to solve the problems the book is USELESS in pretty must every sense of the word.
Also the setup is odd making it hard to look back through the book and distinguishing between example problems and homework type problems making you even more frustrated when trying to teach yourself how to solve a problem.

product arrived as promised
It felt like the book to a little longer than expected, but arrived as advertised. Good transaction.

boring, but useful...
I bought this book to help as an aid in my studies and it did halp give a better understanding of structural engineering.

blaircollins
I am taking a Structures class formy construction management degree.I purchased this textbook as a back up to the one that was assigned.The illustrations and sample problems cover the topic clearly and systematically.I recommend the book for those interested. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Amazing drawings, good history, but needs to be updated
A large amount of scholarship, care and skill were put into writing this book. The detailed drawings reveal the structure of Chinese architecture (religious and monumental architecture, not commercial or domestic). The drawings are worth the price of the book, while the writing gets a bit boring. But, and this would entail changing the author's book drastically, it needs updating or overhauling--since the book was written 60-70 years ago (with a modern day foreward). It needs to go from Wade-Giles into the pinyin romanization of Chinese characters, and also needs a map or two highlighting where the structures are in China. A better book would be one that keeps his drawings, but uses his writing as source materials and then rewrites it to put things into a better context and flow.

This was the pioneer
Liang Sicheng is among one of the most outstanding Chinese scholars that I admire and respect deeply. As a young man,the beauty of Chinese architecture inspired him to be the first person who studied traditional Chinese architecture scientifically with western methods.After Liang graduated from U.Penn., he moved to Harvard and registered under Graduate School of Art& Science, where he chose the subject "Chinses Architecture". Because there had almost no references in the area, he promised his professor that he will back to China to collect first hand data, and than back to US to finish his study.
The rest of his story is unbelievably dramatic.( You can find more details in <> by Wilma Fairbank)

I am very glad for the reprint of this cheaper edition, this is the book that every historian of Chinese architecture should have.Highly recommended to Chinese historians as well as architecture lover. ... Read more

Product Description
From the stately elegance of the Georgian era to the exuberant eclecticism of the twenty-first century, the houses of Charleston, South Carolina, are defined by great architecture and elegant design. Charleston Architecture and Interiors offers an insider's view of the beautiful houses, gardens, and decorative arts that comprise this city's unique charm.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A wonderful and lush book
Susan Sully's book on Charleston is a feast. The photographs are superb, and the descriptive details are so fully realized that I felt as if I were on a private tour. From richly carved ceiling rosettes to secret gardens, this book will transport you inside the walls of grand old homes that hold enough beauty to break your heart.

More furniture & Less Architecture
This is a beautifully photographed book. However, the majority of the contents were focused on period funiture and landscapes. In my opinion, Architectural details were not the main theme. I purchased this book for inspiration on those details and found the variety and quantity lacking. ... Read more

Product Description
Google SketchUp for Site Design illustrates a holistic approach to SketchUp: how it works and more importantly, what to do with it.

Filled with tutorials from front to back, the book focuses on the start and completion of projects that include rich detail and expression. Each part and chapter of the book builds on the previous chapters and tutorial.

You will learn how to approach modeling site plans, buildings and site elements: from modeling each of these exterior environment elements to piecing them together to generate a singular and expressive model.

The book culminates with tutorials demonstrating effective and simple ways to include grades and terrain using the Sandbox tools and how best to integrate the entire approach with AutoCAD and SketchUp.

Also included are links to supplemental on-line resources such as YouTube tutorials and free tutorial and example models from 3D Warehouse.

The book is useful for all SketchUp proficiency levels including beginners, hobbyists, and professionals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

Add SketchUp to Your Tools
This book is amazing, since it goes from an introduction to SketchUp to very complex architecture and site drawings. It discusses ways to use SketchUp with AutoCad, Photoshop, and other tools, and also includes discussion of SketchUp Pro -- all in a very simple, step by step manner.

The most obvious audience for this book is the architect or architecture student who knows how to do these things by hand and doesn't yet know how to do them with SketchUp. However, talented SketchUp lovers who want to create more impressive models will benefit from the examples and tips. I was able to get effects far beyond my expectations.

The book begins with SketchUp basics, including plenty of pictures and screen shots. This section goes over the simplest geometry, but also treats RubyScript and problem solving. The section on the best process for creating with SketchUp was very helpful, too.

Then you'll move on to projects. By following the steps, you can create gardens, buildings, components like streetlamps and railings, plus the landscape to put all these things into. Along the way, there are little assignments to try out. You'll also get web links to YouTube tutorials and exercises.

This book could certainly be used as a textbook, but it's also perfect for artists and architects adding SketchUp to their arsenal of tools, or for SketchUp aficionados who are ready to kick it up a notch.

A useful introduction to SketchUp terrain modeling
My experience with SketchUp instruction manuals is limited (this is the first one I've read), but overall, I was happy with the book, however, I have reservations before recommending it to others.

The examples that Tal includes were very clear, well-explained, and organized in a logical order. The images are helpful, and go a long way in showing what SketchUp is capable of in terrain modeling. Tal's approach makes it easy to learn some of the more complex techniques dealing with terrain grids, follow contours, and the like. That said, I felt that the book was generally thin in complex techniques. By the time I read this book, I'd been using SketchUp for a couple years, and had already learned most of this stuff through Google's online tutorial videos and the Go-2-School podcast series, both free. I also left the book a little hazy on some of the finer points of terrain modeling, like drape vs. stamp, etc, and wish that Tal had really spent more than a couple paragraphs on these.

I also wish that Tal had devoted more space to explaining how best to present a finished model. This could include using Scenes effectively to export images, describing the ideal views for a project, proper workflow to see a project through from beginning to end, and even on using LayOut (included in SketchUp Pro). I would think many readers, who spend a number of hours building a model, would want to know the best, cleanest ways to show off their work.

In the end, Tal's book is very useful for someone who would like to use SketchUp for terrain modeling, but 1) hasn't really started to explore the software's features, and isn't sure where to start, and 2) doesn't really know what SketchUp is capable of in terrain modeling exercises.

Daniel's book is subpurb!
Daniel covers more techniques that people haven't necessarily thought about than most Sketchup books out there. He's probably forgotten more about Sketchup, than most average users will ever know. Advance users probably know about all the features and tools of Sketchup, but Daniel takes the tools to new levels. Great graphics, easy to comprehend, covers all bases. I can't wait for the next volume Daniel, great job, I give this book the highest props. Where he finds the time to write books, teach classes and make it to work every day is beyond me!

Great item and great seller!
The item was shipped fast and was in good condition when I received it.Good seller!

One of the best books out there - but be patient.
I have to admit, I have little patience for 3d work as I'm an illustrator that makes "2D" paintings. However, I have seen the uses of SketchUp by other artists, and wanted to give this a shot. In fact, it encouraged me to build a desktop just for the purpose of dabbling in 3D.

I found other books and immediately was turned off by the tech speak, even the "for Dummies" was a little hard to grasp. Along with the videos out there covering SketchUp with this book I started understanding how to create little environments with this neat App by Google.

You may have my problem and be a bit impatient with the tech speak, and terms, but just go over the chapters in order as requested in the book. It also gives you links to extras and goodies too. The author is pretty thorough and despite some technical jargon, he's still rather simple and to the point. There are a great number of illustrations in the book to help you through it.

Learning 3D work is a bit of a daunting task for me, but this book has come in handy since I love how people were able to use the tools to help create 2D works with 3D programs. Slowly but surely I'll be able to build and even try other 3D programs. I know, I'm making it sound harder than it actually is, but if you have no patience with most 3D apps you can understand why I belabored over trying this and getting a book to actually understand all of it. I definitely am thankful the author knows how to make it interesting!
... Read more

Product Description
Business Architecture is a disciplined approach to creating and maintaining business models that enhance enterprise accountabilities and improve decision-making. Business Architecture's value proposition, unlike other disciplines, is to increase organizational effectiveness by mapping and modeling the business to the organization's business vision and strategic goals. The book is an introduction to this burgeoning new field. It explains what Business Architecture is, what a good, sustainable one should include, and explains how to implement a business architecture practically within the reader's environment. Extensive examples and case studies are included toclarify points and demonstrate clearly to the reader how they too can begin to build business architecture within their organization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book on Business Architecture
This is a great book on Business Architecture. Chris Reynolds takes you through what Business Architecture is, what it should be and how to implement it properly. Being new to Business Architecture, this book really gave me a comprehensive introduction. This is a book that all project teams, architects and consultants should have! ... Read more

Product Description
This is a comprehensive tutorial that teaches fundamental and advanced SOAdesign principles, supplemented with detailed case studies and technologiesused to implement SOAs in the real world.***We'll have cover endorsements from Tom Glover, who leads IBM's WebServices Standards initiatives; Dave Keogh, Program Manager for Visual StudioEnterprise Tools at Microsoft, and Sameer Tyagi, Senior Staff Engineer, SunMicrosystems. All major software manufacturers and vendors are promotingsupport for SOA. As a result, every major development platform now officiallysupports the creation of service-oriented solutions.Parts I, II, and III cover basic and advanced SOA concepts and theory thatprepare you for Parts IV and V, which provide a series of step-by-step "howto" instructions for building an SOA. Part V further contains coverage of WS-*technologies and SOA platform support provided by J2EE and .NET. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (59)

Much too verbose, will confuse someone just getting into SOA
This book has far to much "Hamburger Helper" in it. I am a veteran at SOA and wanted a book I could reference. It is long winded. For example, the author goes through 106 pages before he gets to the true definition of SOA on that page 106. This should be in the first 5 pages. The definition is good but why the heck did he have to confuse the novice reader with all that "contemporary" and "Primitive" SOA discussion. I cut through those pages fast but I bet a novice is going to be really confused reading this book. I would not recommend this to customers as some of the testimonials at the front suggest. Ipicked up a few ideas here and there. A two star is about right.

Thomas Erl has an easy to read writing style. Highly recommend this book.
While I agree with some of the other reviewers that this book can be 'long winded' at times, it is still a book with a lot of rich information on SOA technology. It is not a book about how to perform SOA implementation, but contains abstract problems and how SOA solves those problems. Thomas Erl is one of a few technical authors I've found to have a gift of communicating well on paper, and this book's content moves along in a graceful manner. If you are looking for a very technical implementation book on SOA then this is not the right book (though I'd look at some of the author's more recent releases for that). This is not a book to be read quickly, as the author presents the information in a 'beefy' style with a lot of information, some perhaps redundant, but I believe is there to drive home his message. As a software engineer for nearly 30 years, I've read nearly 100 technical books, but I must say that this one (my first one of Thomas Erl's Series) stands out as one of the best. SOA is a very complicated topic, and there is not a short-cut to fully digesting it. I would highly recommend this book to be part of your SOA reference library.

Independent View of SOA
Thomas Erl in this book provides an excellent reference and an independent/agnostic view of SOA that is not cluttered with Vendor speak. What I thought was valuable is the definition of business benefits, case studies and the beginning of SOA Principals and terminology that provides an organization a mechanism to organize their efforts and improve focus. Having worked with Web Services since 2001 and implemented them at many customers, the application and discussion of WS in conjunction with SOA is very helpful.

Excessively long winded for my use
It's hard to understand how the same author wrote this and SOA Principles of Service Design (The Prentice Hall Service-Oriented Computing Series from Thomas Erl) and Service-Oriented Architecture: A Field Guide to Integrating XML and Web Services (The Prentice Hall Service-Oriented Computing Series from Thomas Erl), both of which had more useful information in a much more compact package.

The only real use I can think of for this book is perhaps to quote in a sales context regarding the benefits of SOA to someone who hasn't heard of it.That said, although I believe in SOA as a powerful mechanism, I believe the claims in the book are less well supported then the heft of the book might imply.Other technical details like the importance of UDDI are largely out of date.

I disagree with some of the other reviewers who call the book overly theoretical: I would not give it that much credit.Theory would call on or reference solid research; this book provides anecdotal evidence at best.

Aside from some potential use to sales folks (perhaps why Sun, IBM and MS endorse the book), I think most will want to pass on this one.

Too much theory
I found reading this book boring after the first 6 chapters. What would have been more interesting is the author giving possible solutions (i.e. specific products) that could meet the specifications he laid out in each chapter. This book does not give specific real-world solutions that fit the descriptions and specifications that are described as constituting a Service-Oriented Architecture. After reading this book, I understand the architecture, but could not recommend any specific products that would fit the architecture. ... Read more

Product Description
In this book, Bernard Rudofsky steps outside the narrowly defined discipline that has governed our sense of architectural history and discusses the art of building as a universal phenomenon. He introduces the reader to communal architecture--architecture produced not by specialists but by the spontaneous and continuing activity of a whole people with a common heritage, acting within a community experience. A prehistoric theater district for a hundred thousand spectators on the American continent and underground towns and villages (complete with schools, offices, and factories) inhabited by millions of people are among the unexpected phenomena he brings to light.

The beauty of"primitive" architecture has often been dismissed as accidental, but today we recognize in it an art form that has resulted from human intelligence applied to uniquely human modes of life. Indeed, Rudofsky sees the philosophy and practical knowledge of the untutored builders as untapped sources of inspiration for industrial man trapped in his chaotic cities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

GREEN DESIGN FROM THE EXOTIC PAST
Architecture Without Architects by Bernard Rudofsky demonstrates
that anonymous builders achieved great form based on function.

Confess right now -- designers, planners, architects!!You don't have
this book? You don't even know about this book or its author, Bernard
Rudofsky?Verdict: You are culturally deprived, whichmeans possibly
professionally challenged.Certainly missing chances for inspiration on the job.

This classic contains a sweeping revelation of universaltraditionsof
"vernacular" architecture -- structures and spacesbuilt byuntutored hands in
"primitive" cultures,many now destroyed.Their images remain as amazing
testaments toingenious answers to survival issues and creature comforts
in remote locales which, we see, have considerable sophistication.

Today's higher education for the design professions, focused on formal issues
of a few recent centuries,may have turned you away from study of remote cultures
in distant times, viewing vernacular as "inapplicable"in a high-tech world.
On the contrary, these places and structural events (including whole mountainsides)
demonstrate the significant human act of building with nature-given materials,
for human needs and use, with sensitivity to innately purposeful form,
without a thought about the disruptive gloss of fashion cycles.

Bernard Rudofsky was a brilliant iconoclast and innovator. As a restless architecture
student in Vienna in 1923, he cut looseto undertake a wanderjahr exploring distant
places and forgotten world cultures.Backpacking across Europe, Middle East,Asia,
and Africa,he photographed what he discovered-- indigenous building
forms and construction methods that created real architecture, unburdened by
pretensions and formal imitations. He documented solutions that were
simple and direct, and elegantly ingenious in the interest maklng things work.

Today more than ever, "primitive" construction can amaze and instruct, and inspire
by addressing ever-present habitation needs -- climate conditioning by controlled air flow,
light control with roof and wall materials, floor heating, even lifts and elevators,
all achieved by design strategies unacquainted with modern mechanics
-- i.e."energy" powered by ingenuity.

In the early 1960's, after his exhibition "Are Clothes Modern?" for New York's MoMA,
Rudofsky prepared an exhibition on anonymous architecture,broadening his own photo
documentation with collectors' images from other distant realms, enriching the
theme of enduring historic form and purpose.

His exhibition "Architecture Without Architects" (1964-65) brought avant-garde insight
to the expanding horizon of modernist values, demonstrating that vernacular form and
purpose are indivisible,and usually immutable -- as they are serving their purpose
to perfection.

In this recapitulation of the exhibition, there are shelters, streets, and functional
enclosures crafted for the lasting use of whole communities. There are the "found"
habitations of rocky hillsides, undergroundvillages safely recessed from climate and
predators; habitable hilltop fortresses, medieval streets lined with shady pedestrian
arcades; a city of roofs built as"windscoops" to direct breezes into each room; huts
made of decorative woven matting, some with vegetal roofs;decorative pidgeoncotes
to facilitate fertilizer production; aerated vermin-proof granaries;streets shaded by
mats and vines, high structures built of grass.

The know-how of the anonymous builder shown here presents the a major untapped
source of architectural inspiration for industrial man. The wisdom derived goes beyond
economic and esthetic solutions that press onour wasteful modern mechanical
solutions. In the author's words, It touches on the "increasingly troublesome problem of
how to live and let live, how to keep peace with one's neighbors" while dealing with
the diminishing natural resources we allmust share.

Here is Green Design before it was invented -- again. Here is Civic Design
and indeed Urban Design when few except Rudofskyrecognized it.
This book of arrestingimages and informed ideas may stir you to speculate:
What might simple ingenuity forgefor us in our low-energy future?

Jane Thompson
Thompson Design Group Inc.
Boston, MA 02210

good classic
this is a great classic book - a little sad it's all in black and white, sometimes grainy images, but a wonderful view on what existed in 1960s. i'm sure a lot of it has now disappeared.

Bummer ... all photos in black and white only
Great book with great pictures and well organized, but all images are only in black and white, and the paperback itself feels flimsy.Thought it was a great present for a friend of mine, but the B/W is quite a let-down.

My Dream.
As the author shows, you don't need a degree to build practical beautiful buildings. Just the need and some perseverance can do wonders as shown inside.

A Classic Presentation
Originally published in 1964, concurrent with the exhibition Architecture Without Architects shown at MOMA, this slim volume of text and photographs radiates heat and light when reviewed almost forty years later. In fact, Rudofsky's introductory essay is so fresh today it is almost inconceivable it was written the better part of four decades ago! Offering a scathing attack on modern approaches to the landscape and to problems of living more generally in a time of rampant population growth, Rudofsky shrewdly pointed to the fact that "part of our troubles results from the tendency to ascribe to architects-or, for that matter, to all specialists-excessive insight into problems of living when, in truth, most of them are concerned with problems of business and prestige." But what transpires when the focus can be maintained on functionality, efficiency, ease of use, and a design aesthetic that remains humbly in tune with and loyal to the mood and visual imperative of the land under development? To answer these crucial questions Rudofsky takes us back a few thousands of years to the origins of architectural strivings (even preceding man's earliest efforts) and the material results thereof.

The essential point Rudofsky cares to make in these pages is that "vernacular architecture does not go through fashion cycles. It is nearly immutable, indeed, unimprovable, since it serves its purpose to perfection." Rooted in a practical, harmonious relationship with its setting, 'primitive' architecture exemplifies the art of living well through its consistent use of frugality in construction, cleanliness in line and detail, and a general respect for "creation." Further, its impetus is aligned with a human dimension fundamentally as opposed to an excessively hubristic predisposition to conquer nature at whatever cost. Finally, from Rudofsky's vantage, these principles are usefully to be understood as timeless guidelines for the future as well as descriptions of the past.

According to Rudofsky, sophisticated people seek rugged country where what is intrinsic holds sway. His search for the origins of a humanistic architecture was always in rugged terrain where people's lives must necessarily challenge the difficulties of topography and the vicissitudes of climate. His primary heuristic interest was in elucidating the solutions creatively and spontaneously generated by these people in order to make such rugged locales inhabitable AND livable. Architecture Without Architects demonstrates the way in which basic solutions to complex problems were developed historically and why those solutions are so important to remain cognisant of today. ... Read more

Product Description
Since the 1980s, the diagram has become a preferred method for researching, communicating, theorising and making architectural designs, ideas and projects. Thus the rise of the diagram, as opposed to the model or the drawing, is the one of the most significant new developments in the process of design in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Diagrams of Architecture is the first anthology to represent - through texts and diagrams - the histories, theories and futures of architecture through the diagram.

Spanning the Pre-historic to the Parametric, Diagrams of Architecture illustrates over 250 diagrams and brings together 26 previously published and newly commissioned essays from leading international academics, architects, theorists and professional experts. These combine to define the past and future of the diagram's discourse. Prefaced with a critical introduction by Mark Garcia, each text investigates a central concept or dimension of the diagram ranging from socio-cultural studies, science, philosophy, technology, CAD/CAM, computing and cyberspace and virtual/digital design to methodology, environment/sustainability and phenomenological, poetic and art architecture; as well as interior, urban, engineering, interactive and landscape design.

·         The first critical, multidisciplinary book on the history, theory and futures of the architectural diagram.

·         Includes seminal articles on the diagram from the history and theory of architecture such as those by Peter Eisenman, Sanford Kwinter, MVRDV, Neil Spiller, Lars Spuybroek, UN Studio and Anthony Vidler.

·         Features 16 newly commissioned articles by leading architects and theorists, including Will Alsop, Charles Jencks, Hanif Kara, Patrik Schumacher, Bernard Tschumi, Leon van Schaik and Alejandro Zaera-Polo.

·         Includes a full-colour critical collection of over 250 of the most significant and original diagrams, many of which are previously unpublished, in the history of architecture from around the world.

Product Description
Find an introduction to the architecture, concepts and algorithms of the Linux kernel in Professional Linux Kernel Architecture, a guide to the kernel sources and large number of connections among subsystems. Find an introduction to the relevant structures and functions exported by the kernel to userland, understand the theoretical and conceptual aspects of the Linux kernel and Unix derivatives, and gain a deeper understanding of the kernel. Learn how to reduce the vast amount of information contained in the kernel sources and obtain the skills necessary to understand the kernel sources. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A great functional explanation on many kernel aspects
I bought this book exactly one year ago, and I have used it for all that time. That's more than enough to make an opinion, and I consider Linux Kernel Architecture (LKA) a *very* valuable book, actually one of the most useful books about Linux Kernel that I own (and I think I have them all).
I use it this way: When looking for some aspect of the Linux kernel logic, I first go to LKA to see if the topic is addressed somewhere (the answer is most often "yes"). Then I read the relevant parts of LKA before I start to dive into the source code for more. What I get is a plain English, detailed, structured functional and technical explanation of the code I'm interested in, with diagrams and figures whenever it can help. The book mentions the path of the relevant source files, something that saves time, too.
In other words, I use it as a reference book, as a birds eye view into the kernel, but also as a functional explanation for a number of part of the code that are all but simple and obvious.

Now be warned: This is definitely not an introductory book for the beginner, nor a Linux kernel programming tutorial or techref manual, nor a book about device driver programming - even if it may help there. But all of those topics are addressed by other famous books such as Love's Linux Kernel Development 3rd Ed., Linux Device Drivers 3rd Ed, Essential Linux Device Drivers and a few others (I use all of those, too).
This is probably not either a book that you would read cover to cover.
It might not either always cover absolutely everything with all the details you might want (heck, it's only 1337 pages!)

But what LKA provides is a very well commented guide and roadmap into many aspects of the kernel, and one that is still recent enough to still be relevant. I just hope it will be regularly updated, and new editions republished.
In other words, LKA is a great time saver. I consider my time as valuable, and LKA has paid for itself manyfolds.

Nice book
Bulk Book covers kernel basics but missing multi-processor, multi-core handling and virtualization as both host and client which modern Linux kernel has to handle and already handled. Architecture needs many more perspective pictures in both general and in detail instead of trivial words about the implementation details. The other things need to be handled are remoting, x-window, samba, cups, nas and nis from architectural perspective.

However for those who have no idea of implementation details of Linux kernel, it is a great book to go over.

Linux review

Would have preferred if there were a high level overview sections in each chapter.
and then the code details separate.

Each chapter does a smooth transition to low level details. A good read for deep dive into internals.
Still reading...

An excellent guide to Linux kernel.
It is an excellent book which will guide you through Linux kernel. It is based on version 2.6.26, but the book is still compatible with more recent versions of kernel. Author uses a good way of writing, so it is an easy and pleasant book to read.

A unique drawback I see in the book is about its index, which I believe is too short.

Haven't found it useful so far
I purchased this book to use as a reference.I work in a group that does device driver development.I've picked up this book twice to look at since purchasing.Both times I've been disappointed.First to find out about calling device driver routines without invoking the big kernel lock.I didn't find the information.I did find info in the other book: "Understanding the Linux Kernel, Third Edition".Today I wanted to learn about how to do profiling or in other words which threads are taking up the most CPU time.Couldn't find anything in this book, but did find a small amount in the other book.

Seems every section of this book starts with an intro of why the information is important.Frankly I know why it is important to me, and I would prefer all of that text be deleted. ... Read more

Product Description
Classical architecture is a visual 'language' and like any other language has its own grammatical rules. Classical buildings as widely spaced in time as a Roman temple, an Italian Renaissance palace and a Regency house all show an awareness of these rules even if they vary them, break them or poetically contradict them. Sir Christopher Wren described them as the 'Latin' of architecture and the analogy is almost exact. There is the difference, however, that whereas the learning of Latin is a slow and difficult business, the language of classical architecture is relatively simple. It is still, to a great extent, the mode of expression of our urban surroundings, since classical architecture was the common language of the western world till comparatively recent times. Anybody to whom architecture makes a strong appeal has probably already discovered something of its grammar for himself.

In this book, the author's purpose is to set out as simply and vividly as possible the exact grammatical workings of this architectural language. He is less concerned with its development in Greece and Rome than with its expansion and use in the centuries since the Renaissance. He explains the vigorous discipline of 'the orders' and the scope of 'rustication'; the dramatic deviations of the Baroque and, in the last chapter, the relationship between the classical tradition and the 'modern' architecture of today. The book is intended for anybody who cares for architecture but more specifically for students beginning a course in the history of architecture, to whom a guide to the classical rules will be an essential companion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

This is It: A Crash Course in Humanistic Design
This is the best way to learn about the classical sensibility in architecture -- as well as art and sculpture. Based on Summerson's radio lectures, this book has itself reached the status of being a classic! I assigned it for years, and students never failed to appreciate its brevity, insight and immediacy.

Very much worth the price of admission because it will forever open your eyes to the world of architectural forms and designs which refer to our common humanity. A necessary antidote to today's corrosive, diversity-oriented mentality.

Do you like looking at buildings?
I was introduced to this classic work in a course on Michelangelo by John Shearman at Harvard, and I'm writing this review because I'm convinced this book deserves wider distribution.

It's essentially an illustrated compilation of a series of lectures Summerson gave at university in England.The topic: the 'language' of architecture through the ages.Ever look at white marble columns, or that triangular thing over a window, and think how beautiful and elegant the display of forms was?Believe it or not, those styles are not created anew each time architects design a building!Rather, they draw on our rich common heritage - the 'classical language of architecture', first defined by Vasari in the 15th century (though in use since prehistoric times).That thing over the window is called a 'pediment', and columns can be Doric (stocky), Ionic (tall and graceful), or Corinthian (elaborated with flowery scroll-work at the top.)The triangular thing over a window is called a 'pediment'.

Intrigued?Want to know more about what the architects were thinking when they designed that building you're looking at?Buy this book, now!

A good and easy undertandable book!
Being about such a vaste theme, this book easily tells the most important parts of the history of architecture. Not much jargong, and well written overall! ... Read more

Product Description
Systems Architecture, Sixth Edition, is the most comprehensive introduction to information systems hardware and software in business. This new edition remains an indispensable tool for IS students, emphasizing a managerial, broad systems perspective for a holistic approach to systems architecture. Each chapter has been updated thoroughly to reflect the changing nature of new technologies, and all end-of-chapter material has been enhanced and expanded. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Dismayed Reader
The information is the book is too basic. A quick read of the end of chapter review questions attests to this.For example: chapter 14 question 6, "What is a monitor?". Are you kidding me? I paid for this? The content is merely a repeat of information from various Computer Based Tutorials CBT) and introductory training material I've seen over the 25 years. Stephen D. Burd does state in the beginning of the book that it is not intended for graduate studies. My problem is that this is the required book for my graduate level Systems Architecture class. I cannot identify a purpose that this book serves well except as a refresher for the semantics necessary to complete my course exams.

Less expensive college book
The book was the correct edition and cheaper than on the college campus.It arrived in record speed without standing in a long line at school!

Book binding / structure is poor
If you purchase this book, you will want to take the time to properly break in the book binding (see [...]), otherwise you will have a book with one large crease down the center.The book's pages are very thick, and the binding isn't strong enough (or loose enough) to support it.

I found the book's content timely and informative.

Nearly Worthless
Contrary to what some of the other reviewers believe, this book was not intended for graduate studies, as is expressly stated in the first sentence of the preface.Binary representation, CPU operation, etc. are not subjects for graduate study. This text was used in a first year, county college computer architecture course, and as such, the book is nearly worthless. Burd so obviously has no idea of the difference between telling or listing information, and presenting didactically, i.e. teaching.Do not use this book unless you have no choice.And this is from someone who is pulling an A in the course.

Wow there is lots of stuff in a computer.
Who knew?These computer macheines have many parts that all have to work together just right to make them work.It has all kinds of parts that don't just go left and right but do all kind of things that are kind of like magic.I am just amazed and shocked by all the fancy things inside this thing called a computer. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent book, Very useful reference
Excellent book, Very useful reference

Rather than being a boring book , Beautiful Architecture, is a well-written and very informative collection of interesting example from real life that should be known by anyone with interest in this field. Even if the systems presented in the book are on different platforms, using totally different technologies, and developed in different periods of time, all share some importantaspects related to the architecture.

The book is divided in five parts. The first part is a general presentation on what is an architecture and an example of two software systems, very similar from many aspects like size, appliance, programming language, operating system and even so, one was aborted and one is used in our days. The first one was abandoned mainly because the lake of the design from the binging,hard to add new features, and the amount of effort required to rework, refactor, and correct the problems with the code structure had become prohibitive. The second one, is still in production, still being extended and changed daily. The actual architecture for the second one it is remarkably similar to the original design, with a few notable changes, and a lot more experience to prove the design was right.

The second part is about the "Enterprise Application Architecture". In this part is 4 systems are presented: the scaling problem faced in case of a massively multiplayer online games, the grow of a system for image storage and retrieval for retail offerings of portraits, an example resource-oriented system in which is presented the importance of Web Services in an enterprise application, and in the last chapter the Facebook application system is presented, and how the Facebook Platform was created.

Part three is about System Architecture. It starts by presenting the Xen virtualization platform that has grown from an academic research effort to major open source project. A large part of its success is due to it being released as open source. Then a fault tolerance system is presented, by reviewing the Tandem Operating System designed between 1974 and 1976 and shipped between 1976 and 1982. Chapter nine presents JPC, an x86 PC Emulator in Pure Java. Another Java implementation is presented in chapter ten: Jikes RVM is a successful research virtual machine, providing performance close to the state-of-the-art in a flexible and easy-to-extend manner.

In the fourth part, the End-User Application Architectures are presented. The GNU Emacs text editor architecture is described, and also a comparison with other software like Eclipse and Firefox is provided. Then the KDE project, one of the biggest Free Software, is presented in chapter twelve.

Languages and Architecture are presented in the last part of the book. This parts starts with a comparison between functional and object-oriented programming, continue with some examples of object-oriented programming and ends with some thoughts on beautiful buildings with problems.

From the beginning of a projectis very important to have a clear view of the architecture and technologies used, because after some iterations is really hard, or in some situation impossible, to change the entire architectures and in some cases ignoring the architecture can lead to a project fail. A good conclusion for the book would be that: "An architecture influences almost everything that comes into contact with it, determining the health of the codebase and also the health of the surrounding areas."

Great idea, poor execution...
The book's idea is great, but the content is not really focused. For me Architecture is not about coding. Coding is about architecture. But some of the chapters focus too much on technicalities, making it, not only out of topic, but tedious. Not all the chapters are like that, but still it makes the book a bit unfocused and too technical for the average reader.

In order to really grasp the full experience from the book you will have to have very deep and low level of knowledge of several disciplines which is unlikely (but not impossible) for the majority of the readers.

In my overall opinion the book is a worthy read, the insight from experience is great and the introduction to some very important Open Source Projects can really prove useful.

Interesting idea, poor execution...too many cooks spoiled the broth
The book suffers from a "too many cooks" problem; it is a very timely book but lacks cohesion across chapters. I agree with the other reviewer that it has way too many pages about nothing. This is simply a good example of where each chapter is written by an "authority" on architecture but the chapters are disjointed and lack a consistent message. I loved the title, and idea behind the book, but it overpromises and underdelivers. But there are some redeeming features.

However, three chapters are excellent and make up for about a third of the forty dollars that I spent on this book. First, the preface and its discussion of architectural principles and properties is one of the best discussions of those topics. I have not seen that elsewhere. Chapter 1 ("what is architecture") and chapter 2 (a contrast between a system with a messy architecture with another with a thoughtfully designed one) are excellent. Unfortunately, all this interesting content stops on page 43 and very little worth the time reading the remaining 374 pages!

I hope that the publisher would come out with a shrunk down 72 pager condensed version of this book that is more like the substance I've come to expect from O'Rielly books.

This book is best checked out at your local library. I would instead recommend buying Jan Bosch's older but still unbeatable "Design and Use of Software Architectures" book.

The best I read so far, good 3 1/2 stars
The books is very solid written and covers the most recent architecture questions. Topics are well laid, very nice covered, but... too many dry and boring words about nothing. Cut it in half, leave the most interesting part (usually the shortest one, towards the end of the topic) and woo-hoo! But for some reason (or was it the strange necessity to increase book in size?!) it is talking a lot about nothing. Too much theory. I would appreciate much better the book for professionals only, no beginners, please, create a separate intro book for them. And cover only the best part for non-beginners. That would be the my "wish book". But this one is not it yet. I was thinking about 4 stars, but 3.5 is much more appropriate, I think. Authors did a great job, anyway.

Good topics, Half baked
Beautiful Architecture is a collection of articles about architecture.
The books starts with a "What is architecture" article (AMAZING! almost any book about architecture has that! can't we finally agree and deprecate this discussion?!)
Other articles arrange by topics: enterprise (server) architecture, client architecture, etc...

What really annoyed me while reading this book, and lowered two stars for it, is the repeating rhythm of the articles:
They start slow and punctuality (That's ok), getting warmer, getting into a really interesting point and puff - suddenly the article ends.
It's like making many preparations (warming the oven, preparing raw materials), putting the cake in, but closing it over before the cake is done. Shame!

Overall I would buy this book to get leads to new areas, not to really cover it. ... Read more

Product Description
The classic textbook for computer systems analysis and design, Computer Organization and Design, has been thoroughly updated to provide a new focus on the revolutionary change taking place in industry today: the switch from uniprocessor to multicore microprocessors. This new emphasis on parallelism is supported by updates reflecting the newest technologies with examples highlighting the latest processor designs, benchmarking standards, languages and tools. As with previous editions, a MIPS processor is the core used to present the fundamentals of hardware technologies, assembly language, computer arithmetic, pipelining, memory hierarchies and I/O. Along with its increased coverage of parallelism, this new edition offers new content on Flash memory and virtual machines as well as a new and important appendix written by industry experts covering the emergence and importance of the modern GPU (graphics processing unit), the highly parallel, highly multithreaded multiprocessor optimized for visual computing.

Instructors looking for 3rd edition teaching materials should e-mail textbook@elsevier.com.

A new exercise paradigm allows instructors to reconfigure the 600 exercises included in the book to easily generate new exercises and solutions of their own.

A CD provides a toolkit of simulators and compilers along with tutorials for using them as well as additional problems and solutions, and references.Amazon.com Review
This textbook provides a basic introduction to thefundamentals of current computer designs. As the title suggests, thetext skirts the border between hardware and software. After anoverview of the subject and a discussion of performance, the booklaunches into technical matter such as instruction sets, how they areconstrained by the underlying processor hardware, the constraints ontheir design, and more. An excellent critique of computer arithmeticmethods leads to a high-level discussion on processor design.Following is a great introduction to pipelining, nice coverage ofmemory issues, and solid attention to peripherals. The book concludeswith a brief discussion of the additional issues inherent inmultiprocessing machines. The extremely lucid description is groundedin real-world examples. Interesting exercises help reinforce thematerial, and each section contains a write-up of the historicalbackground of each idea. Computer Organization and Design isaccessible to the beginner, but also offers plenty of valuableknowledge for experienced engineers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (65)

Better than expected
I bought this book used and I was very surprised at how well kept it was. I saved about $40 by buying it here as apposed to the school Bookstore.

The best book I have used in computer engineering at UCLA
I'm a fourth year UCLA student studying computer engineering, and by far this has been my favorite text. It appeals both to the programmer and circuits guy in me, as well as the DIYer hardware enthusiast. It covers much of the essential computer architecture theory, but also is well supplemented with real world examples. It emphasizes design tradeoffs that real computer architects must solve. The only thing I don't like about it is the omission of some content from the hard text, but those items are provided via CD.

Could be better.
I've only made it through the first chapter, but there has already been answer-changing typos in the homework problems, and there have been several places where units in equations are either not defined or ambiguous and other similar problems.

Masterpiece
I did not buy this book from Amazon portal because of the fact that Elsevier sells low priced editions in my country.

This book is a masterpiece. Every budding CPU hobbyist or enthusiast must own this book. Everything that you needed to know to build a microcomputer on your known can be learnt from this book. By the way, I have the 4th edition of the book which focusses on another modern marvel - ARM. The pipelines, datapaths, control paths, hazards etc are explained with intuitive visuals. This book would have changed my life if I had it 14 years ago. But with teachers like Dave Patterson and John Hennessy, it can never be too late.

I highly recommend this book for undergraduate and advanced courses on the topic.

Awesomeness
The product came as described in the description. I also received it quick and had it for use in class within a few days. I would definitely make another purchase with this seller in the future. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is for business professionals interested in learning techniques for managing change in technology driven companies.It focuses on bridging business and I/T strategies through the Enterprise Architecture function.Unlike many books about I/T, i ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An Excellent I/T Architecture Book
This is a truly wonderful book. The author distilled his nearly 30 years of I/T experience into this book. It is also a practical book and architecture management personal will find valuable information from the book.For example, chapter 2 discussed Principle-Based Architecture and presented various architecture principles; further more, the author presented a practical Architecture Governance Model that consists of some specialized groups such as Architecture Steering Committee and Architecture Review Board etc. to ensure these principles are followed across the enterprise.

Technical person will also find this is an excellent book to read. For most developers and architects, they may know technical aspect very well within their working domain, however, outside their domain they may not know as well or do not know. This book covers different architecture domains such as Application architecture, Information architecture, Network architecture, Platform Architecture etc. After reading this book, you will have a very good over all understanding of I/T Architecture. I highly recommend this book for leader of I/T architecture department as well as technical architects.

Excellent Book for CIO's, I/T Professionals and I/T Architects
This is a "must read" book that provides a wonderful insight on how to position and apply Architecture within to a corporate IT enterprise. Rick uses his practical experiences to clearly articulate the important role in which architecture plays, how to establish guiding principles, govern, and develop/utilize an architectural framework to help you improve your overall business. Chapt 1-3 is a nice discussions for CIOs which helps you assess the importance and maturity of architectue and how it ties ot the business. Chapt4 provides a good layered framework which the latter explain in much more technical detail.

Each chapter is wonderfully summarized--- this helps to you understand the major points that you should come away with.

This book is a must read for all CIOs, business I/T professionals and IT architects ... Read more

Product Description
Managerial Economics and Organizational Architecture, 5e helps the student to gain an understanding of the basic tools of economics used to solve important business problems.It also provides an in-depth analysis of the firm and corporate governance topics.The Fifth Edition has an improved focus on decision-making and managerial applications, within the structure of an organization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Be carefull
The book was advertised as in good condition but it is not. There are too much notes written by pen and pencil, graphics, calculos on the book body.

Pleased with service
Class has not started for this book yet.The book was cheap and shipped promptly to my house. Thanks

Awful! Disorganized and not helpful
I have read a lot of text books and this is the worst one i have ever read.The first chapter is the authors justifying the book and the practice.The information is completely disjointed and unorganized with questions and case studies in the book addressing concepts not yet presented.There are not nearly enough examples to help facilitate learning and understanding and it is so dry and monotous, it makes it very difficult to traverse.

Managerial Economics
The book is a bit vague and takes a lot of research (for me) to fill in the missing links. It also repeats itself in the text and table descriptions, which I find a little annoying and redundant. The book has a nice layout though.

Still waiting
I never received the Economics book I purchased. I am still waiting on the book and my class is almost over. I had to end up buying the textbook from somewhere else. I do not recommend buying from this seller. ... Read more

Product Description
The Architecture of Light makes lighting design approachable. This vivid, image packed text of lighting concepts and techniques serves as the perfect companion for lighting design students and professionals alike. Built around a successful teaching curriculum, this text provides a logical step by step progression through the phases of conceptualizing, refining, drafting and presenting lighting design. Written by a practicing professional lighting designer who is also an award winning design instructor, The Architecture of Light presents a perfect blend of visual design tools and fundamental lighting knowledge. In addition to theory and discussion, The Architecture of Light also provides complete chapters of common lighting details, case studies and a catalog of specific lighting tools. Every architect, interior designer and design student deserves a working knowledge of lighting design and this single book makes it possible.

Remember to check out all of the teaching and learning resources available on the Architecture of Light webpage.You will also find the full 15 week lighting curriculum. Each weekly lecture pack is a downloadable ZIP file that contains PowerPoint presentation, assignments, grading sheets, relevant handouts, and an overview. I encourage designers, educators and students alike to download these lecture packs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (41)

Fantastic Book!!!
After learning about lighting for interior design, I knew there was more information to fill the gaps.Sage Russell did just that with a clear writing format and easy steps to follow for successful lighting design.

A Must-Have Book for Everyone in Lighting
This book is a must-have if you are in any way involved with lighting.The author writes as if he's speaking to you which makes for an enjoyable read.I have read the book several times and as my own knowledge grows I continue to absorb new and useful information which I missed on previous reads.It also makes for a handy reference when you are questioning a lighting layout.I would have given this book 10 stars if there wasn't a limit!

Excellent architectural lighting textbook for architecture students
As a teacher of Environmental Control Systems, for architecture students (which includesboth Illumination and Acoustics, my main field of interest) I needed a text capable of providing a design approach, coupled broadly to the technical aspects of the discipline. Sage Russell's book clearly accomplishes this masterfully, and has gained a following among the Studio Design professors as well. The materials are stimulating and the writing is entertaining. I can truly recommend it in this context.

Great intro to lighting
I am building a new LARGE home and wanted to get information to figure out the lighting scheme. This book was actually interesting and enjoyable to read. I have already read dozens of different books to be prepared for the homebuilding process (I will be my own general contractor) and have found this to be one of the most useful with real information and not just buzzwords.

That being said, if the author or publisher is reading this, you MUST do a thorough proofreading before the next printing because there are MANY typos in the book (I would seriously fire whoever was in charge of proofreading!)

I am very happy I bought this book since I really had no background in lighting and this provided a good basis.

Creative logic to lighting design
Rich with colorful images, this is a five star lighting text that offers a creative logic to lighting design.I have successfully used this book as the introduction to lighting in a pre-architecture and interior design course at the sophomore level.My course used many of the available PowerPoint presentation slides, instructor's notes, and assignments provided by the author.Because of the practical approach taken by the text, I was able to match weekly assignments to each weekly lecture and students built a course portfolio of lighting exercises that will be useful in additional studio work. When technical information is so easily accessible online, I particularly appreciatethe author's balanced perspective that honors the aesthetics of architectural lighting and helps students become intrigued with its magic. ... Read more

Product Description
Virtually all the masterpieces of Islamic art-the Alhambra, the Taj Mahal, and the Tahmasp Shahnama-were produced during the period from the Mongol conquests in the early thirteenth century to the advent of European colonial rule in the nineteenth. This lavishly illustrated book surveys the architecture and arts of the traditional Islamic lands during this era. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Islamic Buyer
Came in time for my class. looks nice and new.Thanks for the book!

GORGEOUS ISLAM
Simply a spectacular book.The text is fascinating and the images are first rate.The art and architecture of Islam is elegant and beautiful, obviously when you think of Islamic Architecuture of this period you think of the Taj Mahal, which of course, is one of the most spectacular buildings in the world, but there are so many others.This book will make you really appreciate the Architectuere and Art of this wonderful religion.Highly recommended.

Un libro che permette di vedere l'altro volto dell'Islam
Testo fondamentale nello studio dell'arte islamica e in grado di mostrare anche ai meno esperti i tesori di un mondo troppo a lungo sconosciuto in occidente. ... Read more

Product Description
Jonathan Glancey conducts an inspiring journey through 5,000 years of magnificent buildings, from ancient Sumeria to the spectacular glass-and-steel towers of today's cityscapes. This title presents an unprecedented collection of full-colour photographs, artworks, and plans that creates a memorable story of architecture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Happy, Happy!
Great price for the book, timely delivery, and I even recieved an e-mail from Better World Books make sure that I had recieved my book...good customer service!

Fine introduction.
I was looking for a readable inroduction to varied styles and history of architecture that was jargon free but not overly simplified.This book did the job well.Perhaps Glancey could have provided a bit more text to go along with the beautiful pictures, but he still informs.

Recommended for newcomers or those with an incomplete education in the field of architecture.

excellent (and opinionated) survey
THis is a very, very good introduction to the complexities of architecture, at about the freshman level of college.Starting with the dawn of civilization (in what is now Iraq), Glancey takes the reader on a tour of human history from the angle of what we build to worship, work, and live in.THe basics are covered extremely well, providing a context for further research.

Glancey writes with grace and clarity, dividing each major movement into regular cuts of two pages, each with brilliant images.While this format shoehorns things into categories that are a bit too sharply delineated, that kind of reductionism is a necessity in this kind of survey.In the latter part of the book, some of the distinctions appear artificial, but then we are in a period where no dominating style - you get post-modern, decontructivist, and organic, etc. - has emerged and the author had to make some decisions regarding how to put them in the format.To his credit, Glancey does not ignore the exceptions and quirks.

One thing I enjoyed about the book is that Glancey does not shy away from making strikingly loud judgements, many of which I did not share.Corbusier, he writes, "was the most inventive and poetic architect who ever lived."Now that is strong stuff and I would never have expected it in a routine survey! (While I can respect and understand what Corbusier did, I don't love it like Glancey.)But that is what makes this book more than a run of the mill overview - it adds flavor and stimulates.Also, while international, because Glancey is a Brit, much of it focuses on Britain and contemporary Europe, which provides a valuable contrast to more US-centric views.

Recommended.

Great review
Great book to review the history of architecture, it is concise and well illustrated.

new architecture student
As a freshman architecture student, this book was exactly at my level.The photographs are splendid, and the dialogue informative.This book provides a complete historyof architecture in every area of the world, as well as some theory.Great for anyone truly interested in architecture, but not an expert (yet!) ... Read more

Product Description
Offers a captivating glimpse behind the closed doors of Paris's most beautiful buildings, courtyards and gardens. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I want to move there NOW!!
This book is not only beautifully illustrated, but the prose is imaginative, evocative, and clearly celebrates this wonderful city.It is a nicely niced book; neither too hulking nor too skimpy.Of course, for me, I wish it could have been longer, because I never tire of learning about Paris and her many secrets. ... Read more