Have you ever wondered how its possible to build a skyscraper; a big bridge; a jumbo jet; or a cruise liner?Everything has structure. Structure is the difference between a random pile of components and a fully functional object. Through structure the parts connect to make the whole. Natural structures vary from the very smallest part of an atom to the entire cosmology of the universe. Man-made structures include buildings; bridges; dams; ships; aeroplanes; rockets; trains; cars and fair-ground rides and all forms of artefacts; even large artistic sculptures. The wide range of different industriesin which structural engineers work includes construction; transport; manufacturing; and aerospace.In this Very Short Introduction; David Blockley explores; in non-technical language; what structural engineering is all about; including examples ranging from the Shard in London and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to jumbo jets like the A380 and the Queen Elizabeth cruise liner.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts; analysis; perspective; new ideas; and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
#562118 in eBooks 2014-08-12 2014-08-12File Name: B00MC80Q7U
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Impressions of Mingus.By GavinTwo great personal views and storys about Charles Mingus by two friends of the legendary bassist/composer. Funny and touching at the same time. A good read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I think this is one of those great books that you enjoy so very muchBy James R C BakerI think this is one of those great books that you enjoy so very much. For those you have heard the word jazz or heard jazz music; this is a treat.Charles Mingus (April 22; 1922 ndash; January 5; 1979) was an important composer and bass player. "In music"; writes one of the two donors to this memoir; "his own approach to rhythm was: You draw a picture away from the beat right up to its core with different notes of different sounds of the drum instruments so continuously that the core is always there for an open mind. . . if one tries to stay inside the dead center or directly on top of the beat or on the bottom; the beat is too rigid on the outside where it is heard.""Im riding that wild Mingusuan horse again. You might call it Pegasus but; call it what you will; it sounds and smells like the roaring-train facet of Minguss diamond sound; purr and thunder; tiptoe and clickety-clackety--and whenever Im immersed in Time Square or time squared; I can always hear and feel and rush with it down and around the tracks of my years"; writes the second contributor.15 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Better Get It Into Your SoulBy M. Allen GreenbaumJanet Coleman and Al Young were University of Michigan English graduate students when they met Charles MINGUS in the late 1950s. In this slim volume; each writes separate but intertwined memoirs about their relationship as friend; editor; and fan with the great bassist/composer/bandleader. Their memories are fond; warm; personal; and humorous; their affection and something like awe are evident throughout the book.This was the period of such Mingus works as "Pithecanthropus Erectus" and "Ah Um." Both Coleman and Young followed Mingus to New York City; where at clubs like the Bohemia; Mingus "Jazz Workshops" (people pay to hear us practice); musicians such as Jacki Byard; Dannie Richmond; Jimmy Knepper; Jackie McLean followed Mingus spontaneously combusting arrangements. We get a glimpse of Mingus the musician; the writer; and general connoisseur of life. As Coleman puts it; I knew Mingus during "his Shotgun; Bicycle; Camera; Witchcraft; Cuban Cigar; and Juice Bar periods; and was familiar with his Afro; Egyptian; English banker; Abercrombie and Fitch; Sanford and Son; and ski bunny costumes. I ate his chicken and dumplings; kidneys and brandy; popcorn and garlic . . . " There are several good clues to the puzzle of Mingus autobiography "Beneath the Underdog;" a work which Coleman; among others; helped edit. I recommend reading "Mingus/Mingus" before tackling his Joycean autobiography.We also see the political Mingus; rightly protesting the treatment of black musicians; as well as racism and militarism generally. After all; this is the genius who wrote such pieces as "Oh; Lord; Dont Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb on Me (with the great line; "dont drop it; bebop it"); "Remember Rockefeller at Attica;" and the great "Fables of Faubus;" which courageously lambasted the segregationist governor. Coles memoir is perhaps the more literary of the two (Coleman is a writer); and gives us a very personal view of Mingus profound effect. Coleman may have been the closer friend and she offers some rarely heard and often humorous anecdotes. Both Coleman and Young knew Mingus for more than 20 years; and the book is rich with material recalling Mingus and the social and creative forces of the period: For example; Mingus played Genghis Kahn in a "psychedelic Western" written by Colemans husband and filmed at Timothy Learys ranch. Mingus criticizes Learys approach: "You cant improvise on nothin; man. You gotta improvise on something." The book is filled with Mingus humor and anger and appetites; his idealism and his realism. A titan of a man and at times; a study in contrasts; Mingus the subject is as compelling as the music he composed. (No index; but you get Mingus recipe for eggnog!) Highly recommended; I just wish there were more to read! Highly recommended for fans of Mingus; jazz and the sociopolitical climate of the era.
