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General Reading for Curious - Bob Culver - 27-07-2019
For over 60 years I have kept an eye open for readable technical books in town libraries. Sadly with the commercialisation of study, and advent of the Net, few are now written. And local library policy here is to provide study space for foreign students and sanctuary for street bums, instead of catering for the intellectually curious public. If you want to know how to rewire your dynamo armature or suchlike, tough luck, unless you can find some 70 year old book in the archives index.
However one book I do strongly commend to Forum types; “How a Steam locomotive works” A New guide, Dominic Wells, Ian Allan Publishing. 2015.
RE: General Reading for Curious - Alan - 27-07-2019
Bob, if you can find one, get a copy of a book called “The Joy of X”. (Seriously) if they taught this in schools, all kids would be hooked on maths. It’s the best, semi technical, book I’ve read in years.
RE: General Reading for Curious - e-richard - 27-07-2019
Fortuitous that this topic arises in this forum.
A couple of years back, I got an email out of the blue from a Maths teacher who gave me extra A-level lessons at his home - way back in the late 60s.
His email went:
"Are you the Richard who came for lessons in your Austin 7 ?"
The answer was "YES, and I still drive the same car".
.... and by the way that book is easily obtainable at Amazon
RE: General Reading for Curious - John Cornforth - 27-07-2019
I picked up a fascinating small book in a charity shop a few months ago.
"The Locomotive of To-Day"
In the flyleaf it says :
Eton College Choir School
Christmas 1899
Geo. V Stilliard
1st prize
Freehand Drawing
The text itself goes into great detail of the progress made in Locomotives since 1830 ! I guess everything is up-to-date at some stage in its life.
RE: General Reading for Curious - Biddlecombe - 27-07-2019
George Vernon Stilliard born Windsor 1883, Married May Savage 1919 at Stafford, Died 1935 at Birmingham aged 51.
His widow survived him until 1973.
RE: General Reading for Curious - Chris KC - 27-07-2019
Quite agree about libraries Bob. I stopped visiting ours after I had to tell the librarians to "shhhhh".
It has become very apparent to me following recent deep conversations with some of our more senior 'members' that they possess a wealth of practical knowledge which the internet doesn't even scratch the surface of. Whether any of that is written in books I'm not at all sure but I'm certainly making it my business to capture a little of it.
RE: General Reading for Curious - Charles P - 27-07-2019
I found this one fascinating. Suitably in depth but not total anorak territory.
How Steam Locomotives Really Work
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780198565369/Steam-Locomotives-Work-Semmens-Goldfinch-0198565364/plp
Not sure how it overlaps with Bob's suggestion
RE: General Reading for Curious - bob46320 - 27-07-2019
you can download "The joy of X" from the net for free via EPUB