The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
by David McCullough
from Simon & Schuster
In the 19th century, the Brooklyn Bridge was viewed as the greatest engineering feat of mankind. The Roeblings--father and son--toiled for decades, fighting competitors, corrupt politicians, and the laws of nature to fabricate a bridge which, after 100 years, still provides one of the major avenues of access to one of the world's busiest cities--as compared to many bridges built at the same time which collapsed within decades or even years. It is refreshing to read such a magnificent story of real architecture and engineering in an era where these words refer to tiny bits and bytes that inspire awe only in their abstract consequences, and not in their tangible physical magnificence.
This monumental book is the enthralling story of one of the greatest events in our nation's history, during the Age of Optimism -- a period when Americans were convinced in their hearts that all things were possible.
In the years around 1870, when the project was first undertaken, the concept of building an unprecedented bridge to span the East River between the great cities of Manhattan and Brooklyn required a vision and determination comparable to that which went into the building of the great cathedrals. Throughout the fourteen years of its construction, the odds against the successful completion of the bridge seemed staggering. Bodies were crushed and broken, lives lost, political empires fell, and surges of public emotion constantly threatened the project. But this is not merely the saga of an engineering miracle; it is a sweeping narrative of the social climate of the time and of the heroes and rascals who had a hand in either constructing or exploiting the surpassing enterprise.
Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008
by Dana Probert E.I.T.
from Sybex
Understand concepts, create perfect designs, and manage every stage of a project with this thorough guide to Autodesk's powerful civil engineering software. Authored by experts with close ties to Autodesk and the Civil 3D community, it features an in-depth, tutorial-based approach grounded in real-world examples so that you get the very most out of Civil 3D. This practical guide focuses squarely on how to use the software in a production environment and provides insights, insider tips, and advanced techniques you won't find anywhere else.
Design of Wood Structures-ASD/LRFD
by Donald E. Breyer
from McGraw-Hill Professional
The leading text and reference on wood design, updated to include the latest codes and data
Continued the sterling standard set by earlier editions, this indispensable reference leads you through the complete design of a wood structure (except for the foundation), following the same sequence used in the actual design/construction process.
The Lazy Environmentalist: Your Guide to Easy, Stylish, Green Living
by Josh Dorfman
from Stewart, Tabori & Chang
"Josh Dorfman’s perspective is a leading voice for anyone involved in new consumer-based environmentalism.”—Tom Arnold, TerraPass
We canÂ’t all camp out in old-growth forests, lying down in front of the bulldozers. And itÂ’s not only that weÂ’re too busy: Some of us just donÂ’t want our fabulous threads to get caked with mud.
But that doesnÂ’t mean we donÂ’t care passionately about the environment. Luckily, the days when becoming environmentally aware entailed eating bread that tasted like dirt, wearing clothes that looked like frayed burlap sacks, and spending summer vacations assailing whaling ships with Greenpeace are passing away. It is now perfectly possible (and increasingly easy) to be well fed, well coiffed, well dressed, and well traveled while remaining deeply committed to an ecologically sustainable lifestyle.
In The Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman—host of the Sirius Satellite Radio program of the same name—provides comprehensive guidance to fashion-forward consumers who are as concerned about the long-term health of our planet as they are about the design of their bathroom fixtures. Covering topics that range from clothing to electronic gadgetry, home decor to recreation, and gardening to financial investment, Dorfman lets us know which trends to watch and which eco-conscious products—cars, toothbrushes, cell phones, pet accessories—to buy. Green, it turns out, can be an extremely stylish color.
"Every day most of us have to choose between products that either look the same or do the same thing. So why not buy the product that causes the least harm to the planet? The Lazy Environmentalist is a useful guide toward making the right decisions."
- Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner, Patagonia, Inc.
"Everything you always wanted to know about greener living but were afraid to spend the rest of your life researching. Here's a great start."
- Chris Paine, writer and director, Who Killed the Electric Car?
“Instead of thinking about it ... DO IT. Buy this amazing book and get the scoop on products and ways to take care of this great planet. Become part of the movement that is loving the earth the way it truly deserves to be cared for!”
-Mariel Hemingway, actress and author of Healthy Living from the Inside Out
The Art of Systems Architecting, Second Edition
by Mark W. Maier
from CRC
Today's architecting must handle systems of types unknown until very recently. New domains, including personal computers, intersatellite networks, health services, and joint service command and control are calling for new architectures-and for architects specializing in those domains. Since the original publication, of this bestselling text, these new and emerging fields have contributed architectural concepts and tools of their own to the relatively new formalism-and evolving profession-called Systems Architecting. The Art of Systems Architecting, Second Edition restates and extends into the future the classical architecting paradigm, incorporating the most broadly applicable of these contributions. It remains the most innovative, insightful treatment available to the discipline, providing both the academic and the industrial communities with the up-to-date tools, concepts, and techniques needed to conceive and build complex systems.
The Smart Approach to Small-Space Living (Smart Approach)
by Susan Boyle Hillstrom
from Creative Homeowner
Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century
by Alex Steffen
from "Harry N. Abrams, Inc."
Worldchanging is poised to be the Whole Earth Catalog for this millennium. Written by leading new thinkers who believe that the means for building a better future lie all around us, Worldchanging is packed with the information, resources, reviews, and ideas that give readers the tools they need to make a difference. Brought together by Alex Steffen, co-founder of the popular and award-winning web site Worldchanging.com, this team of top-notch writers includes Cameron Sinclair, founder of Architecture for Humanity, Geekcorps founder Ethan Zuckerman, sustainable food expert Anna Lappé, and many others. Renowned designer Stefan Sagmeister brings his extraordinary talents to Worldchanging, resulting in a book that will challenge readers to personally redefine the conversation about the future.
Each chapter offers readers new answers to key questions, such as:
Why does buying locally produced food make sense?
What steps can I take to influence my workplace toward sustainability?
How do I volunteer, advocate, and give more effectively?
From eco-building to responsible shopping, political action to humanitarian relief, Worldchanging
puts the power to solve problems into the readerÂ’s hands.
The Smart Approach to Bath Design, Third Edition (Smart Approach)
by Susan Maney Lovett
from Creative Homeowner
Structural Analysis (7th Edition)
by Russell C. Hibbeler
from Prentice Hall
This book provides students with a clear and thorough presentation of the theory and application of structural analysis as it applies to trusses, beams, and frames. Emphases are placed on teaching readers to both model and analyze a structure. A hallmark of the book, Procedures for Analysis, has been retained in this edition to provide learners with a logical, orderly method to follow when applying theory. Chapter topics include types of structures and loads, analysis of statically determinate structures, analysis of statically determinate trusses, internal loadings developed in structural members, cables and arches, influence lines for statically determinate structures, approximate analysis of statically indeterminate structures, deflections, analysis of statically indeterminate structures by the force method, displacement method of analysis: slope-deflection equations, displacement method of analysis: moment distribution, analysis of beams and frames consisting of nonprismatic members, truss analysis using the stiffness method, beam analysis using the stiffness method, and plane frame analysis using the stiffness method. For individuals planning for a career as structural engineers.
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