Many biographies of Mark Twain cover his entire life, while others focus on specific periods, especially his later years. In this innovative new work, John Bird takes an entirely different approach. Mark Twain’s 1884: A Pivotal Year in the Life is a “micro-biography” that homes in on a single—and pivotal—year.In 1884, Twain stood at the height of his powers as a writer and enjoyed one of the happiest years in his domestic family life. During the course of the year he was r...

A student-friendly introduction to core mechanical engineering topics.This book introduces mechanical principles and technology through examples and applications, enabling students to develop a sound understanding of both engineering principles and their use in practice. These theoretical concepts are supported by 400 fully worked problems, 700 further problems with answers, and 300 multiple-choice questions, all of which add up to give the reader a firm grounding on each topic.

Now in its seventh edition, Bird’s Electrical and Electronic Principles and Technology introduces and covers theory through detailed examples and laboratory experiments, enabling students to gain knowledge required by technicians in fields such as engineering, electronics, and telecommunications. This edition includes several new sections, including glass batteries, climate change, the future of electricity production, and discussions concerning everyday aspects of electricity, su...

Now in its seventh edition, Bird’s Electrical Circuit Theory and Technology explains electrical circuit theory and associated technology topics in a straightforward manner, supported by practical engineering examples and applications to ensure that readers can relate theory to practice.The extensive and thorough coverage, containing over 800 worked examples, makes this an excellent text for a range of courses, in particular for Degree and Foundation Degree in electrical pr...

Now in its ninth edition, Bird’s Engineering Mathematics has helped thousands of students to succeed in their exams. Mathematical theories are explained in a straightforward manner, supported by practical engineering examples and applications to ensure that readers can relate theory to practice. Some 1,300 engineering situations/problems have been ‘flagged-up’ to help demonstrate that engineering cannot be fully understood without a good knowledge of mathematics.The extens...

The definition and solution of engineering problems relies on the ability to represent systems and their behaviour in mathematical terms.Mathematics for Electrical Technicians 4/5 provides a simple and practical guide to the fundamental mathematical skills essential to technicians and engineers. This second edition has been revised and expanded to cover the BTEC Higher - 'Mathematics for Engineers' module for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Higher National Certificat...

This compendium of essential formulae, definitions, tables and general information provides the mathematical information required by engineering students, technicians, scientists and professionals in day-to-day engineering practice. A practical and versatile reference source, now in its fifth edition, the layout has been changed and streamlined to ensure the information is even more quickly and readily available – making it a handy companion on-site, in the office as well as for academic s...

Mechanics of Solids provides an introduction to the behaviour of solid materials under various loading conditions, focusing upon the fundamental concepts and principles of statics and stress analysis. As the primary recommended text of the Council of Engineering Institutions for university undergraduates studying mechanics of solids it is essential reading for mechanical engineering undergraduates and also students on many civil, structural, aeronautical and other engineering cour...

Now in its eighth edition, Bird’s Basic Engineering Mathematics has helped thousands of students to succeed in their exams. Mathematical theories are explained in a straightforward manner, supported by practical engineering examples and applications to ensure that readers can relate theory to practice. Some 1,000 engineering situations/problems have been ‘flagged-up’ to help demonstrate that engineering cannot be fully understood without a good knowledge of mathematics.The...

As defined by conservation biologist Thomas Fleishner, natural history is “a practice of intentional, focused receptivity to the more-than-human world . . . one of the oldest continuous human traditions.” Seldom is this idea so clearly reflected as in classic works of American fiction of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.John Cullen Gruesser’s edited volume Animals in the American Classics: How Natural History Inspired Great Fiction features essays by prominent litera...

Studying engineering, whether it is mechanical, electrical or civil, relies heavily on an understanding of mathematics. This textbook clearly demonstrates the relevance of mathematical principles and shows how to apply them in real-life engineering problems.It deliberately starts at an elementary level so that students who are starting from a low knowledge base will be able to quickly get up to the level required. Students who have not studied mathematics for some time will find th...

A practical introduction to the engineering science and mathematics required for engineering study and practice.Science and Mathematics for Engineering is an introductory textbook that assumes no prior background in engineering. This new edition covers the fundamental scientific knowledge that all trainee engineers must acquire in order to pass their examinations and has been brought fully in line with the compulsory science and mathematics units in the new engineering course speci...