Book Description
Modern Exterior Ballistics is a comprehensive text covering the basic free flight dynamics of symmetric projectiles. The book provides a historical perspective of early developments in the 19th century, the technology leading to World War I and that through World War II into the modern post-war era. Historical topics include the first ballistic firing tables, early wind tunnel experiments, the development of free flight spark ranges and the first supercomputer, ENIAC, which was designed to compute artillery trajectories for the U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory. The level of the text requires an undergraduate education in mathematics, physics, and mechanical or aerospace engineering. The basic principles of ballistic science are developed from a comprehensive definition of the aerodynamic forces that control the flight dynamics of symmetric projectiles. The author carefully starts with the basic vacuum point mass trajectory, adds the effects of drag, discusses the action of winds, simple flat fire approximations, Coriolis effects and concludes with the classic modified point mass trajectories. Included in the discussion are analytical methods, change of variables from time to distance, numerical solutions and a chapter on the Siacci Method. The Siacci Method provides a historical perspective for computing flat fire trajectories by simple quadrature and is used in the sporting arms industy. The final six chapters of the book present an extensive physical and mathematical analysis of the motion of symmetric projectiles. The linearized equations of angular and swerving motion are derived in detail. The effects of mass asymmetry, in-bore yaw, cross wind and launch in a slipstream are discussed. Special consideration is given to the derivation and explanation of aerodynamic jump. These subjects are then expanded to include a complete chapter on nonlinear aerodynamic forces and moments. The final chapter in the book presents an overview of experimental methods for measuring the flight dynamics of projectiles. The great forte of Modern Exterior Ballistics is the author's effort to provide many fine specific examples of projectile motion illustrating key flight behaviors. The extensive collection of data on projectiles from small arms to artillery used to substantiate calculations and examples is alone a valuable reference. The ultimate joy of the book is the incomparable comprehensive set of flow field shadow graphs illustrating the entire spectrum of projectile flight from subsonic, through transonic and supersonic. The volume is a necessary addition to any undergraduate or graduate course in flight dynamics., over 60 line art, black and whit photographs, 8 1/2" x 11"
Customer Reviews:
The Bible on Ballistics!.......2007-07-24
McCoy's book is phenomenal if you seek the essentially pure theory and mathematical characterization of "real," differential equation-based ballistics. The book starts with the simplest form of ballistics calculations, the basic parabolic gravity-only point-mass trajectory everyone encounters in a basic physics course, and then slowly works up from there, all the way to the full six-degrees-of-freedom model (three positional dimensions of motion plus the three rotational dimensions of the spinning, wobbling projectile,) accounting for gravity, frontal air resistance, crosswinds, lifting forces, forces due to the projectile shape, Coriolis force (the consequence of Earth's rotation,) and even rocket forces if the "projectile" is actually a self-powered one. McCoy goes into the simplifications one can make to compute with only a point-mass projectile model (no rotational motion) and I most liked this approach for my own uses. He divides the work into chapters, with each new one adding a level of generality to the model(s) involved. This organization makes it very easy for the reader to choose the level of complexity and accuracy most desired. I was very impressed with McCoy's development of envelope curves, those being the curves of absolute flight limits of a projectile, giving the total interior region that a fired projectile could possibly hit.
This book provides an immense background of everything needed to develop your own ballistics programs and could even provide enough material to do some original research in the field, but I would definitely contend that this book isn't for everyone. In particular, you need to have a very strong mathematics background, including linear algebra and differential equations, and one would do best with some numerical analysis background as well. McCoy does give some detail about various numerical methods one could use to advantage when doing the calculations with a computer, but not quite enough to actually get you started if you weren't already significantly familiar with standard single-step Runge-Kutta and multi-step differential equation solvers. Further, this book does contain a lot of typos and small errors buried deep in the equations, so you need to be able to follow the development well enough to catch them. Essentially, you need to be able to understand the methods used in higher math quite well, use McCoy's initial modeling, and then re-derive his equations on your own, with his derivations as guidance. Also, I think the typesetting of equations is done poorly in general, so it is often somewhat difficult to read them and keep his notations straight.
This book is well worth its price, and the knowledge contained in it is probably nearly unavailable anywhere else these days. Ballistics is an old, but very technical and complicated field, and few people study it extensively any more, so I think it has become somewhat extinct in academic circles. This is unfortunate, for it is magnificent and rewarding, and McCoy's book is an opus dedicated to preserving this wonderful field of hard-won knowledge. The study of precise ballistics modeling and trajectory prediction was the first "big" problem that spawned the development of the digital computer, and the first true calculus problem ever solved by any mathematician was the shape-of-minimum-resistance ballistics problem, solved by Sir Issac Newton. McCoy's book is a grand survey of mid-20th century ballistics knowledge, complete with graphs, photographs, high-speed shadowgraphs from the ranges at Aberdeen Proving Ground, and references to the original authors and studies done by the military and other technical institutions.
You will not regret the purchase of this book, especially if you want to understand the real theory and know how to calculate real ballistics trajectories for all kinds of projectiles at various speeds, not just watered-down, oversimplified, inaccurate, textbook-friendly versions of them. I'm even considering buying myself a second copy, just to be sure I will always have a mint-condition copy available!
A ballisticians best friend!.......2007-01-23
As a ballastician, I must say that this book is a MUST HAVE for any professional in the field of exterior ballistics or the enthusiast with some knowledge of basic physics and high level mathematics. McCoy was a world renowned expert in the field of exterior ballistics throughout his 30 year career with the US Army Ballistic Research Lab (BRL) - this comes through in the pages of this book without a doubt. There are many excellent examples taken from McCoy's (and others) work with the BRL. All should take note, the book has many small typos peppered throughout both the text and figures. The errata pages can be printed off of several well maintained websites which can be found by searching on the title of the book.
Better wait the Dover edition.......2006-12-14
This is a great book, but full of typos and edition errors of all types.
The errata ( you can find it in Internet ) is 20 pages long.
The book, as it stands now, is of very limited use.
Better wait the Dover edition.
Modern Exterior Ballistics - not quite Modern.......2006-11-27
Certainly McCoy's book , Modern Exterior Ballistics, is the result of years of work at the Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The book contains some excellent shadowgraphs of projectiles in flight. The historical background is alone worth the price of the book. The hard core computational capability of the modern desk top computer has been over shadowed by its use as an internet station, word processor, game platform etc. Nevertheless, most of the approximations given in this book are easily side stepped by a "brute force" integration of the equations of motion be readily and easily achieved with such software as MATLAB or TrueBasic and I am sure with C++ if that is your choice. The important point here is that most of the approximations given in McCoy's book are methods that for the most part have been entirely superseded by the capability of readily available computer languages. To employ such methods makes no greater analytical demands of the reader than, say, to follow and use the analytical approximations such as the approximation for flat trajectory. McCoy does make some concession to computer analysis with a BASIC program for projectile drag. However, on the whole the book is not quite modern, but more suited to computational conditions as existed in 1975. Unfortunately, with the passing of Dr. McCoy, the task of brings this otherwise good book up to 21 century standards would have to done by others.
Superb book, but LOTS of typos and missing info.......2004-04-03
This is ballistician's dream book. It describes all of the introductory and some advanced material pertaining to modern ballistics in wonderful detail, and the example problems are useful and illustrative. There is a wealth of information, such as drag coefficients and functions, form factors, and a beautiful derivation of the MPM yaw of repose that do not appear anywhere else in my experience. The experimental and computer generated plots are beautiful and informative.
Unfortunately, the book is also full of typographical and other errors, such as having the wrong variable in a place in several equations, having variables simply missing from equations or from an explanation in the text, having the wrong headings in some of the tables, repeating figure numbers on different figures, or even having multiple missing words in some explanatory paragraphs that make the sentences into hard to interpret giberish. Some of the citations,for instance in Chapter 9, do not appear in the Bibliography at all (Chapter 9 has references numbered up to 16 in the text, but only 10 appear in the Bibiolgraphy).
The bottom line: This is a GREAT BOOK if you are mathematically sound and don't mind deriving some of the equations yourself, and if you know enough to catch the errors and make the corrections. Don't get me wrong... I like the book a lot. It is well worth its price. Just be aware that you will have to work a little harder than usual to read and understand it.
[...]
Book Description
From accelerators to workmate, here is everything a sculptor needs to know. Written with the working sculptor in mind, this second edition of the key reference includes the latest information. Numerous photos showcase sculptors at work and famed sculptures, plus diagrams of tools. Recipes—including one for mixing aggregates—and facts about setting, hardening, and curing times are invaluable.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Sculpture Resource.......2007-03-09
Clearly describes a wide range of sculptural terms, techniques and materials. Enteries are concise yet are often in-depth providing a clear understanding of complex or obscure subjects in this field of art. For the non-art school sculptor (like myself) or the new art student, it is invaluable reference book. Well-written with a personal and occassionally witty voice, I found it easy to read it from front to back. Pictures and diagrams instructive and relevant although more would be helpful for a few enteries to assist in understanding the subject in question. Well-bound and sturdy book for a paperback. A must-have for a student of sculpture.
Informative, Detailed, Comprehensive .......2004-10-07
A revised & updated version of the 1991 edition. This reference work now encompasses new materials such as resin & metal particle castings, synthetic clays, alloys, polymers.
The book serves as an indispensable encyclopedia for sculptors/studio practitioners or enthusiasts/collectors - describing all methods of sculptural creation from the lost wax casting process to contemporary materials and associated techniques and tools.
It covers sculpting techniques (hand-building, carving, forging, casting, moulding, modelling, welding etc) materials, processes, tools, patinas, finishes, glazes, fixings, mountings, how to light sculptural work, and many such creative options. It's well illustrated (photographs and drawings).
Wide-ranging, with real depth and breadth - for example, on materials alone, it includes types of stone, categories of rock formation, plastics, metals, clays, woods, concrete, glass, plaster of Paris, polystyrene, papier mâché, wax, gelatine and so on.
There's a sense of the history of art in many of the explanations and the rich cumulative inheritance of sculptors, sculpture and sculpting.
A major achievement by accomplished sculptor John Mills, who provides an indispensable reference work for any practitioner, art historian or committed collector whether beginner or experienced.
Book Description
Cast and carve, weld and mold, model and rivet: whichever method you choose, sculpting is intense and rewarding. From assemblage to brazing, more than 30 techniques unfold in these beautifully illustrated pages. The pleasure begins with a chart of possible materials: the large menu of imaginative options includes clay, plaster, wood, stone, and papier mâché, as well as more unusual suggestions like aerated concrete block, rubber, and found objects. Create an armature for producing a life figure. Form a bird from such surprising items as plastic coat hangers, felt-tip pen caps, and a threaded steel rod. Form a steel fish by melting metal with an acetylene torch and welding pieces together. Finish off by coloring, make repairs when something goes wrong as you work, and find inspiration in photos of magnificent pieces, all arranged by theme. You'll build a solid foundation for your sculpture-making skills.
Customer Reviews:
Good general information.......2007-01-12
I found the book basic but lots of idea's and general information. A good place to start and worth a look if your a beginner.
Average customer rating:
|
Encyclopedie Photographique De L' Art: The Photographic Encyclopedia Of Art. Le Musee Du Louvre. Sculptures Du Moyen Age
Marcel Aubert
Manufacturer: French & European Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| How-to
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Antiques & Collectibles
| Encyclopedias
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Art
| Encyclopedias
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
French
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Arts & Photography
| French
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Nonfiction
| French
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Reference
| French
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
All French Books
| French
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0320048977 |
Average customer rating:
|
A Box of Ku
Manufacturer: Nazraeli Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
E'
ASIN: 3923922647 |
Customer Reviews:
Very Small Photographs.......2000-04-01
Masao Yamamoto's " A box of Ku"captures the very essence of photography ...he breaks all the rules he defaces and dyes his prints;its said that carries these little jewels of art around in his pockets ...yamamoto's photographs are all irregular not at all rectangular and none have any borders ...you could say that they are picture haku..each photographic print becomes a poem ,a dream, no just ... memories
Customer Reviews:
Another Collection of Excellent Takahashi stories.......2000-06-15
'One or Double' is the second collection of short tales that don't fit into any of Rumiko Takahashi's ongoing series. Unlike the first volume, which contained mostly recent stories, this one seems to cover a range of years, judging from the art styles. They're not all winners, but over all this book is yet more solid evidence that Takahashi is a master of the graphic story telling medium. Whether you're a fan of "manga" or not, there's no denying that she's a skilled artist and writer who deserves the accolades and success she has enjoyed.
Most of the standout stories in the book are, sports-themed. 'Excuse Me for Being a Dog!,' (a young boxer turns into a dog whenever he gets a bloody nose) 'Winged Victory,' (the tale of a rugby team that's lost 999 games in a row and the ghost who watches over it), 'The Grandfather of All Baseball Games' (a young man plays hardball with his obnoxious grandfather), and the title story (in which a kendo instructor is put in the body of the club's pretty manager) all use sports either as the backdrop or motivation for the story and its characters. The characters in these stories are Takahashi at her most charming.
'The Diet Goddess' (about a girl who buys a dress with the intention of losing enough weight to look good in it) and 'Happy Talk' (about an adoptee who embarks on a search for her biological mother) are two slice-of-life stories ala the majority of the shorts from the first 'Rumic Theater' volume, and the 'Maison Ikkoku' series. Again, Takahashi presents us with charming characters the reader can't help but care about, in stories both funny and touching.
Dissapoints in the book include 'To Grandmother's House We Go' (about a pair of hardluck cases who try to collect the large birthright of a deceased friend for themselves) and 'Reserved Seat' (a curious tale about a rock singer who is haunted by his grandmother and Tarakazuka). The first story is simply too short and it feels rushed on every level--the ending feels particularly unsatifactory--while the second is the only Takahashi story I've read where I felt no sympathy or good will toward any of the characters present in it.
Finally, there's 'Shake Your Bhudda,' a tale that appears to be early Takahashi, both based on the art style and the story's pacing. It's clear she was still mastering her craft, and there's very little to recommend this tale. In fact, I feel the book might have been better served if it had been left out all together.
Very cool.......1999-11-27
So many stories! This book has many good stories, but I think my favorite is "Excuse me for being a dog." Very very funny, about a boy who turns into a dog. Ranma comes to mind.
Average customer rating:
|
TP on AB
Tim R. O'Brien
Manufacturer: Casa Flamingo Literary Arts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Adventurers & Explorers
| Specific Groups
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Journalists
| Professionals & Academics
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0974332402 |
Book Description
This is the illustrious story of Tom Powell, the colorful, larger-than-life journalist who has spent more than 50 years traveling the world rubbing elbows with everyone from the President of the United States to Baseball Hall of Fame members and side show carnival freaks. For the past 30 years of his career, TP, as he is known today, has written for Amusement Business, the business-to-business weekly newspaper serving the carnival, fairs, arena, and amusement park industries. TP is the best-known, most-loved journalist to ever chronicle the outdoor amusement industry. During his unique career he has been compared to Bob Hope for serving as an ambassador of the industry; Dean Martin for his drinking persona; Jimmy Breslin for his reporting prowess; and to Babe Ruth for his physical girth. He is without a doubt the best-known, most-loved journalist to ever write about these leisure-time fun activities. His personality, his memory, and his ability to write from the heart made his weekly column, TP on AB a must read. Sit back and hear his colorful stories and share in his travels and adventures. TP on AB is an adventurous, wild and fun life journey. You'll love it!
Customer Reviews:
A 20th Century Odyssey on Four Continents.......1998-05-10
Peter Amcotts' autobiography is the stuff of =best-selling fiction: adventure, romance, the best of times, the worstof times, betrayal, loss and finally peace. H.Rider Haggard could have written it. Or Edgar Rice Burroughs. But Amcotts wrote it himself, and it's not fiction. It's a true-life adventure that spans the globe. Amcotts, a World War II veteran, writes about life with verve and humor. He's experienced it all, from an abusive father to a British "public school" education, to the war, to love and marriage, to his experiences as an ex-pat in East Africa, Canada, Hawaii and the Middle East. Amcotts' adventures make for enjoyable reading, although his British reserve keeps him from writing as much about his feelings as one would have liked. Having met the author and his wife, and one of their daughters, it's a pleasure to see the pictures of them in by-gone days. Amcotts' descriptions of his life, especially the family's times in Kenya, are vivid. The family lived on part of a former coffee plantation that once belonged to Karen Blixen. During the Mau Mau insurgency, they went to bed with loaded pistols at their sides. Having known many American World War II veterans, I found it very interesting to read the experiences of a British soldier. Mrs.. Amcotts was also in uniform. Is a second installment of the family saga, her story, in order? Autobiography and reminiscences are genres that capture the past in the most personal of ways. The Best Laid Plans recreates part of the 20th century from the author's point of view. That personal history, and that point of view, is worth reading, and enjoying.
A true story of travel and romance over four continents.......1998-03-24
A review from Cliff Bowyer, the president of theBritish-American Club. =I have just finished a very interesting book, it is an Autobiography, but reads like a novel. It is a true story of adventure, travel, romance, world war, revolution, failure and success. Written by an ex-Brit, who recently moved to the Bay Area after living in many countries. It spans the years from the mid 1920s to the present day and covers four continents. The book tells the author's life as a boy growing up under the very dominant thumb of an over strict father. His years at public school, the W.W.II. Serving in the Royal Engineers in India. How he met his future wife who at the time was serving in the WRNS. The post war years in England were hard for ex-servicemen who had been subjected to life abroad. So austerity and the ever present search for adventure led the author to a new life in East Africa, at the time of the Mau Mau rebellion. You will read his journey to the New World and the many exciting travels and experiences that followed... but I could go on and on. I must admit I did get carried away with this very intriguing story. If you are someone who likes unusual Autobiographies, this is the book for you.
Interesting perspective on what ones life could be like.......1998-03-01
I find the style of the writing to be the most unique aspect of this biography. One sentence can convey a whole stream of related thoughts that could be expanded into a seperate novel, possibly fiction based on Mr. Amcotts experience that day. The episodes presented in Africa are the most intrigueing. I thought of some enlightened sreenwriter adapting a concept storyline from a single page and developing a major motion picture! Mr. Amcotts P.O.V.(Point of view) style of writing makes one wish for a slower, more colorful, pace. I find myself wanting to interupt his presentation to ask for explanations of "why" or maybe a more personal observation of the situation he has placed himself in. Retrospection is a useful teaching tool that should be used to fuller advantage for the benefit of the reader rather than the Author. But realizing that and reading between lines does provide some entertaining thoughts for the reader.
Books:
- Moore in the Bagatelle Gardens, Paris
- More One-Story Homes: 475 Superb Home Plans from 810 to 5,400 Square Feet
- Natural Surfaces: Visual Research for Artists, Architects, and Designers
- New Moroccan Style: The Art of Sensual Living
- New Spaces, Old World Charm (Elements of Living)
- New Waterscapes: Planning, Building and Designing with Water
- Newport Through Its Architecture: A History of Styles from Postmedieval to Postmodern
- North Shore Boston: Country Houses Of Essex County, 1865-1930
- Obey the Giant: Life in the Image World
- Pompeii: Monuments Past and Present
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Paul Revere's Ride
- Repair Manual: Cadillac 1967 to 1989 : All U.S. and Canadain Models of Deville, Eldorado, Fleetwood,
- Mammalian Host Defense Peptides
- Molecular and Supramolecular Chemistry of Natural Products and Their Model Compounds
- Molecular Gastronomy: Exploring the Science of Flavor
- Paula Deen: It Ain't All About the Cookin'
- Relative Danger
- Railway Stations: From the Gare de L'est to Penn Station
- Moorish Architecture in Andalusia
- Suffering the Consequences
Understanding Firearm Ballistics
Hatcher's Notebook
Rifle Accuracy Facts
Precision Shooting at 1,000 Yards
U.S. Army Special Operations Target Interdiction Course: Sniper Training And Employment
