"The appearance of a translation into English of this remarkable book should serve to revivify in this country [England] the somewhat stagnating treatment of its subject, and should call up the thoughts which puzzle us when we think of them, and that is not sufficiently often.... Professor Mach is a striking instance of the combination of great mathematical knowledge with experimental skill, as exemplified not only by the elegant illustrations of mechanical principles which abound in this treatise, but also from his brilliant experiments on the photography of bullets.... A careful study of Professor Mach's work, and a treatment with more experimental illustration, on the lines laid down in the interesting diagrams of his Science of Mechanics, will do much to revivify theoretical mechanical science, as developed from the elements by rigorous logical treatment."—Prof. A. G. Greenhill, in Nature, London. "Those who are curious to learn how the principles of mechanics have been evolved, from what source they take their origin, and how far they can be deemed of positive and permanent value, will find Dr. Mach's able treatise entrancingly interesting.... The book is a remarkable one in many respects, while the mixture of history with the latest scientific principles and absolute mathematical deductions makes it exceedingly attractive."—Mechanical World, Manchester and London, England. "Mach's Mechanics is unique. It is not a text-book, but forms a useful supplement to the ordinary text-book. The latter is usually a skeleton outline, full of mathematical symbols and other abstractions. Mach's book has 'muscle and clothing,' and being written from the historical standpoint, introduces the leading contributors in succession, tells what they did and how they did it, and often what manner of men they were. Thus it is that the pages glow, as it were, with a certain humanism, quite delightful in a scientific book.... The book is handsomely printed, and deserves a warm reception from all interested in the progress of science."—The Physical Review, New York and London. "Mr. T. J. McCormack, by his effective translation, where translation was no light task, of this masterly treatise upon the earliest and most fundamental of the sciences, has rendered no slight service to the English speaking student. The German and English languages are generally accounted second to none in their value as instruments for the expression of scientific thought; but the conversion bodily of an abstruse work from one into the other, so as to preserve all the meaning and spirit of the original and to set it easily and naturally into its new form, is a task of the greatest difficulty, and "As a history of mechanics, the work is admirable."—The Nation, New York. "An excellent book, admirably illustrated."—The Literary World, London, England. "Sets forth the elements of its subject with a lucidity, clearness, and force unknown in the mathematical text-books ... is admirably fitted to serve students as an introduction on historical lines to the principles of mechanical science."—Canadian Mining and Mechanical Review, Ottawa, Can. "A masterly book.... To any one who feels that he does not know as much as he ought to about physics, we can commend it most heartily as a scholarly and able treatise ... both interesting and profitable."—A. M. Wellington, in Engineering News, New York. "The book as a whole is unique, and is a valuable addition to any library of science or philosophy.... Reproductions of quaint old portraits and vignettes give piquancy to the pages. The numerous marginal titles form a complete epitome of the work; and there is that invaluable adjunct, a good index. Altogether the publishers are to be congratulated upon producing a technical work that is thoroughly attractive in its make-up."—Prof. D. W. Hering, in Science. "There is one other point upon which this volume should be commended, and that is the perfection of the translation. It is a common fault that books of the greatest interest and value in the original are oftenest butchered or made ridiculous by a clumsy translator. The present is a noteworthy exception."—Railway Age. "The book is admirably printed and bound.... The presswork is unexcelled by any technical books that have come to our hands for some time, and the engravings and figures are all clearly and well executed."—Railroad Gazette. |