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Book Review
Original poster: "Dr. John W. Gudenas" <comsciprof@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Greetings all
a few weeks ago I was browsing Boarders Books and picked up an
interesting title in the new non-fiction hardcover area.
"Adventures from the Technology Underground", William
Gurstelle,Potter (division of Random House), 2005. ISBN 1-4000-5082-0
The chapters range from Rockets to Robots including Tesla Coils,
High-Voltage Discharge Machines, Rail and Coil Guns. Oh yes,
I can't forget amateur flame throwers (don't you have one??).
In the Tesla coil section several of our list members are prominently
mentioned and their respective coils. This chapter starts with a
review of the Griffith Park Observatory coil and some history. It
moves on to discuss what Jeff Parisse is doing as well as Bill Wysock
and his 13M coil. The chapter winds up with Greg Leyh's Electrum
project. Brian Basura picks up some press in the High_Voltage
Discharge Machine chapter associated with his quarter shrinking
apparatus including an anecdote where Brian donned his full face
shield and flak jacket and experienced an unpleasant incident with a
26 kilojoule discharge.
While there are snippets of minor league explanations of how various
devices work, the book is primarily about various high power devices
and the select individuals who want to work with them (and the lack
of governmental regulations covering most of the devices). While I
was aware of the history of most of the devices talked about, that
is likely the strongest part of the text. I couldn't resist
purchasing the book having corresponded with people mentioned in it,
however, its really intended for a different audience. Whom that
might be, I can't say.
It is a short one evening read and it is kind of fun, however, I
don't think it does coiling any favors. The type of attention it
pushes towards us isn't necessary, welcome or needed. Was it worth
the 25 bucks? Sure, how can you resist reading an off the shelf new
book that covers Jeff, Bill, and Greg not to mention Brian's
anecdote (Brian I wouldn't have noted that incident to my Aunt
Minnie, if I had an Aunt Minnie).
Just for your information
John
John W. Gudenas, Ph.D.
Professor of Computer Science