Introduction to Fluid Power

James Johnson's Introduction to Fluid Power is the kind of book students want. There is a lot to like about this book: First off, the language used is not the "expert talking down to you" tone that many college texts seem to enjoy (and students hate). Each concept is presented in plain, logical, and easy to understand terms. There is no abundance of 10-cent words and aloof language for the sake of sounding superior. That isn't to say the topic is "dumbed-down" at all, it is just easy to read and written in a plain-speaking manner that makes the reader feel like he's listening to a lecture by a competent, knowledgeable, down-to-earth, and enthusiastic speaker. James obviously knows his subject intimately, understands is fully, and knows where students may have confusion or misunderstanding and he works hard to make it clear as to what is right and what is wrong. It is rare to find an instructional text where the author remembers what it is like to be new to the topic, outside of the "For Dummies" series and similarly styled books. This book possesses that level of intuitive simplicity. This is the clearest and easiest to read and understand college text that I have ever used.Additionally, the illustrations are superior to any other book I've ever read for school. They are all in full-color, many are shaded to look 3-D, and they are liberally used. If a concept needs more than one illustration to show how a mechanism works, then you will see more than one illustration. Little is left to the imagination, and there is little margin for reader error in interpretation. Also included are full-color photographs of many of the devices discussed. The book is exceptional in this respect. Also, in terms of design, it is nice that every page has a liberal margin in which to take notes. Occasionally a small color photograph will appear in these margins. With all of this color and the numerous illustrations it would be easy for this book to come across as cluttered and garish. The book thankfully avoids this pitfall. The layout is wonderfully designed and the color schemes are subdued and understated.The only complaint to be had with this text is that, being a first edition, it contains a fair share of typos, misprints, and improper labeling in illustrations. Despite this, any competent Instructor should be able to spot and correct the errors as they occur, and they will very likely to be fixed by the second edition of the book.To sum-up: this book is exceptional; language that is easy to read and understand, numerous wonderful full-color illustrations, elegant easy-on-the-eyes design and layout, and topics that are presented logically, and explained completely. Every aspect of this text screams quality, and no expense was spared to make it as good as it is. It manages to avoid nearly every pitfall that a typical college text falls prey to, especially those in the technical realm. My only complaint is that I wish I owned a second-edition with the typos and various errors fixed. Current and future authors of college and instructional texts take note: you could learn a thing or two from James' effort.

This is a good beginner's book. I've been on a search to get my hands on a good book to teach hydraulics at the college (undergraduate) level. The images are clear and colorful but in my mind, overly simplistic. A person taking a course in hydraulics has the engineering expertise to decipher a higher level graphic that can depict the functioning of systems to a higher degree.The text is very easy to read, it flows well and the author has written this book with the assumption that the reader is a novice at fluid power. A book by Johnson focused on a higher level of understanding would be a great college book.

I was in over my head with this class. It explains ok, but I learned this topic isn't for everybody.

This book is a very good book for the fluid power student as long as they have a little algebra under their belt. Covers subjects well without a lot of empty reading and pretty easy to understand. The only problem I have with it, there is no glossery and the index is not very complete. Other than that this is a book I will definitely keep for a reference guide down the road!

Excellent book. Although a degree in Mechanical Engineering goes over many fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics, this book covers much of what is encountered on a day to day basis as a Mechanical/Manufacturing engineer. I have read this book from cover to cover and have found it to be very well written and always understandable. I have now have a much better handle on fluid power, including an understanding of hydraulic schematics.

This is the required book for my class - good shape. Still have it. I have nothing else to say.

Got me through the class for a lot less than purchasing the book....great deal

cheaper than the school's copy

I knew basically nothing not even the math and the first portion a good solid 100pages of math, excellent format because it shows you how to know and understand the use of the math. But I am 20 pages in and I love this textbook. I researched it and was told, this one helps in system design and I can see that. It will grow your thinking it helps me understand mechanical things in general and how to think clearly of my trade. I study for two hours in AM. Main critique is the paper it’s like news paper. Or tracing paper you can see through it.

The book itself is very easy to understand and had a simple approach to fluid power. I had to have it for a class and I am glad the college made me buy such a useful reference that I will keep with me for years to come. One slight gripe with the book, throughout almost all of the pages (apart from the table of contents, appendix, and index) there is a blue bar towards the outside third of the page. The bar occasionally houses a picture, around 16 throughout the whole book, only half of which were useful and not purely decorative.I was however not impressed by amazon.ca's shipping. they shipped a $150+ paperback in a bubble wrap envelope with no extra support, my cover was banged up in a few places, might as well bought it used.

Easy to understand content, helped me pass the course with a great mark.

It was good

Great deal