The Book Report (1)
Title- Pocket Ref (4th Edition)
Author– Thomas J. Glover
Type– Nonfiction, Reference, Scientific
ISBN-978-1885071620
Description– About the size of an index card and a little fewer than 800 pages in length Pocket Ref attempts to consolidate the totality of mathematical, scientific, and engineering knowledge into one comprehensive manual. Though somewhat dated due to the advances in internet and cellular technology to provide easy access to information, it’s comprehensive nature makes it handy to keep around the Work Shop, Office, or Glove Compartment.
Importance/Utility– A great reference manual that I’ve used many times while writing essays or working on personal projects. Likewise it’s an interesting read if you find yourself trapped in the restroom without a phone to entertain yourself. Handy for any person’s bookshelf and probably a good addition to a child’s first tool set the information on physics, chemistry, and many, many other subjects would likely be of interest to curious children and adults alike.
Rating-8/10 As a reference book it would probably be impossible to cram more information into such a small physical space. I dock a point due to the print being very tiny which would require readers or a magnifying glass for many people to see clearly and I dock a second point for the delicately thin pages which give the book a feeling like it would be easily torn or damages, which isn’t something you would want from a “Pocket Manual”. The information is the text is well organized and often easier to navigate than hunting for it on the web.
Recommended Format– The book is only available in paperback. A digital version wouldn’t really make sense, as you could just search the web for the information you needed.