Fundamentals of Digital Logic is the book I am using during this semester in my Computer Engineering Ciriculum. Brown and Vranesic were more than likely very on top of their game when they first wrote the book - but it is clearly dated. The classic example of a pop machine (state machine design) really needs to be buried.

The book's examples are often difficult to follow, as there is very, very heavy reading involved. When I am presented with a concept in digital logic, computer science, or engineering, I want clear examples, with all steps explained in detail - not a paragraph or two with the idea enclosed. It just doesn't work as well as several good examples.

However, the book isn't all that horrible. In fact, it's not bad at all. It does a fine job of explaining memory elements, but, in retrospect, it does an extremely poor job of covering transmission gates and multiplexers. I can't tell you how long it took me to figure out how to work both of those devices.

All in all - I'd say if you have to buy this book for your course, you might want to pick up a few supplemantal texts for additional insight into more challenging concepts.

Good luck!

Before reading "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead" I highly reccomend that you pick up a copy of "Hamlet" and familiarize yourself with the storyline and characters. With that prerequisite, dive right into R&GAD and don't make any plans for the next hour or two. Every page of this book is smacking with halirity and satire; from the situations to the dialogue, Tom Stoppard keeps the reader blissfully entertained.

The Hamlet story, as told from the perspectives of previously minor roles, turns into a brilliant tragicomic splendor that you won't want to put down. Not many books make me laugh out loud more than once, but R&GAD had me in stiches almost constantly.

Add this book to your "must read" list right now!

This is, to date, one of the worst textbooks I have been made to use in a college class. The text does _not_ give general formule for the principles it explains, but instead uses numbers almost exclusively in example problems, leaving the student to wonder just what is really going on. Every week, when I sit down to work my Circuits I homework, I feel like hanging Dorf and Svoboda by their mustaches - all because this book is so wretched. The end-of-chapter problems are useless to help understand concepts, as they frequently do not relate adequately to the material presented in each section.

If you ever read this, Dorf, Svoboda, please stop trying to confuse students with your work. If you want to teach, teach. If you want to be confusing, go into law.

In "Souls of the Great Machine," McMullen exposed his readers to a world full of complex cities on the future Australian continent, and in "The Miocene Arrow," McMullen went a step further and took us around to the other side of the world, in a future Denver, USA society, full of chivalry and aircraft. Different sets of characters were introduced to us in each book - far too many to begin listing here - and each brings with him or her a unique contribution to the story that unfolds in "Eyes of the Calculor." Zarvora Cybeline, former Highliber of Libris is replaced by Dramoren, an astute and altruistic man of great worth must organize a new calculor, and Jemli Miderellen, the new prophet of Woomera Confederation speaks out against all fueled machines. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, American forces, after finally recovering from a disasterous war, fomented by the Aviads of Austrailia, begin island hopping to gather horses from Austrailia. Samondel, Airlord of American Bartolica executes her sound plan, using pilots Serjon and Bronlar Feydamor as her most important and trusted crew members. Things go awry, however, and the fates of all parties involved, as well as a great number of innocent and ignorant civilians, are forever changed.

At the same time, McMullen revives his older, once departed characters, only to have them inhabit bodies of the near-dead, catatonic characters found in Austrailia. This blend of old and new, as well as foreign and domestic, makes this fantasitc tale of future Earth both captivating and engrossing on very deep levels. Don't miss this adventure-romance, pregnant with lies, love, truth, mystery, faith and knowedlge. Buy this book, and read it!

While many critics say Sci Fi authors in general spend too little time on character development, it is clear that in "Souls in the Great Machine," Sean McMullen has spent a great deal of time on fleshing out his characters. I found myself very attached to the motley crew of warriors, librarians, politicians, commoners, harlots and artisans. The story itself is wonderfully crafted, and beautifully executed in a post-apocalyptic Australia, with a blend of modern technology, ancient tradition, honorable duels, giant computer networks powered by human beings, and even a species of man-bird left over from the age of technology, 2000 years before the story begins.

Few authors have been able to accomplish what McMullen has done with the Greatwinter Series - innovate the genre, and produce a fine work of fiction that seems familiar and fantastic at the same time.

Everyone should own this book - and read it!

Once again, Sean McMullen proves that he can accomplish both character development, fantastic world-making, and still tell an excellent story filled with romance, loyalty, betrayal, chivalry, civil rights, death, life, and decision. The focus characters, Serjon Feydamor, unlikely hero of a tragic war, and Bronlar, Serjon's misplaced love, are developed so richly that the reader can not help but be moved when something unfortunate comes between the two. The story drew me in so deeply that I did not want to leave the fantasy. I felt like I owed something to the characters, to their lives, to keep on reading, and watch as teh beautiful story unfolds.

The book is satisfying in every respect. McMullen is an author who should be hailed as one of the top Science Fiction writers of our time. Let McMullen take you on a romance through the skies in "The Miocene Arrow" - buy and read this book!

After viewing the movie as a child, and recently going to the cinema to see it come to life in the 21st century, I had to go the next step and purchase the book. It is worth it. The book could be priced at ten times its list and still be undervalued. There are only a few books I have been able to pick up and read the entire way through in one setting - this is one of them. It will grab you, and not let go. I spent the better part of one Saturday evening reading the tale, and from start to finish, I was never bored. I then spent the night dreaming of the tale, and woke with the desire to read it again - so I did. It is truly a fantastic story, and everyone should read it.