An Engineer's Alphabet: Gleanings from the Softer Side of a Profession
"Henry Petroski has written a stocking stuffer sized book for every engineer on your shopping list with "An Engineer's Alphabet: Gleanings From the Softer Side of a Profession." Petroski shares his thoughts, trivia, and hodgepodge of all things engineering, from engineering fight songs to railroads to science fairs to explaining the cut-and-dry method." - HERALD SUN, DECEMBER 5, 2011"This dictionary-like work is not meant to be read from cover to cover as one would read a novel, but is intended to be - as the author states - "dipped" into. Engineers may find it helpful in providing answers to those odd questions that come up from time to time and in laying out simple explanations of some common terms  that engineers take for granted and most others know only in a more general way. Lay readers will find it absorbing, and at times amusing, as a guidebook to the mysterious workings of engineering." - Tony Spring, The Washington Independent Review of Books"There are plenty of gems to discover in the book. Many of them I would never have thought to even look up on the internet without being prompted, and in that respect the book is inspiring. I certainly enjoyed browsing through the text." - Joerg Heber, Nature Materials"This book provides a wealth of background information that will be useful as well as entertaining. It is just as appropriate for a library shelf as it is for whiling away an hour or two during a train or plane journey." - Steve Webster, Materials World Magazine, Aug 2012