Desk Ref

Encyclopedic, extensive, deep, thorough... pretty much sum up this expanded version of the "Pocket Ref" I have used for years. If you're looking for an excellent offline reference that doesn't take up your whole bookshelf (if you even still have a bookshelf), this is a good place to start. Pros * Extensive listings across a broad range of disciplines (see 'Other thoughts' for some sample topics) * High-quality cover * Offers a table of contents and an index * 1,224 pages of tables, lists and a few photos and diagrams * The index alone is 42 pages long (though see cons) Cons * Currently unavailable as an e-book, which would have been far preferable for keyword searching * I would have preferred a still-larger index. Some index entries are not cross-listed with alternative but common terminology; for instance, "Stockpile Volume and Weight" doesn't have a index entry for "Angle of Repose", a common concern in the raw materials industry and a term used on that page. I don't need a concordance, but a bit deeper coverage here would have been nice * Some tables do not have information that was official and available as of this printing (2011); for instance, the periodic table of elements is current as of 2004 (and thus misses Dubnium [Db 105] and heavier) -- though to the authors' credit, elements at least up through Copernicum [Cn 112] are listed in a nearby table Other thoughts This enormous storehouse of information seems best suited for librophiles and offline reference. A few random topics, to indicate the depth of coverage: Wire classes and insulation Box nails and brads Car rental toll-free numbers, worldwide First aid Right triangle formulas Worldwide phone area codes and country codes Gold, silver and diamond classification Capacities of large tanks and cylinders Apparent dip Knots (with photos) Water discharge through 100 feet of hose Just... on and on. It's pretty amazing.

Exactly as described. Written for semi professionals and up. Not for casual reader or non construction industry people. Lots of information. Print is small, but book would be even bigger than it is.

This is a great collection of information of a wide variety. I would think it would be most useful to engineers, but there is plenty that others may also find useful. A quick flip through the book showed me endless numbers concerning metal screws, nuts, bolts, wire, sheet metal, and other stuff related to industry, mechanics, engineering, and so on. The adhesive powers of different glues; equations for calculating surface area and other interesting stuff. I was interested in the section on Morse code, the Beaufort wind scale, Braille, American Sign Language letters, first aid, and the so-called 'ten-codes' used by many police departments. It seems to me that no one in the world would find it *all* interesting; but it also seems that there's something in there for everyone.

The DIYers guide to the universe - If you have a question, the answer is in here... problem is when you open it to find a particular answer to something, how easy it is to get distracted by all of the information herein that you never knew that you needed to know! Love this book.

Not the most accurate or relevant information, but beats having nothing. Very good if internet or power goes out. Otherwise, search engines will give you a more diverse selection of information. One of my “prepping” books.

Good shelf presence, if you can let it alone long enough to put it on the shelf. I was not expecting the breadth of knowledge contained in this book. I spend most of my time in front of a computer, and have alot of mileage with Google. I like physical books, and there is something about having the data in front of you. There are some things Im sure Ill still look up online, but I will be making it a point to use this as often as possible.

This is a great book to have around, with high quality information to assist anyone that might need some facts or formulas to accomplish a difficult task. Highly recommended.

This is the modern day man's book. Let's not be silly about it, people need to know a lot of things... and this book has most of them at your fingertips. Pipe sizes, knots, electrical standards, just about anything a man might need to know to engineer his own solution to problems is in here. I saw a small copy of this book in a shop I went in once and I went to get my own within a day. Never looked back. Now I own this large copy and it is perfect. Tons of info. The best thing about a physical book is that it never needs backing up and no amount of emp can erase it. GET THIS!

the book itself is a must is a must for everybody's shelf. shipping is fast. thanks amazon.ae.

Fantastic little reference book, aimed more at north america than uk and europe, it is still a great book. Carried the pocket version of this book around the world and to jobs in Austrailia and Kiribati. It has always been useful.

The information and facts about effectively everything at your fingertips. As an aspiring engineer, this helps plan projects and how to best build them.

This book has everything in it. It has everything from PocketRef and Handyman in your Pocket in it and it contains information for almost every topic out there. If you have trouble reading the small print of PocketRef or Handyman in your pocket then get this book because it is in a larger easier to read print. I only have 1 problem with the book, the problem is that the paper is really thin and can easily tear. All and all I highly recommend this book for anyone out there.

Purchased as a gift upon recomendation from a wizz kid at work.