Neural Computing: An Introduction

Rating:
Summary: An excellent introduction to Neural Networks
Review: This book is a great introduction to the subject of Neural Networks for someone with no background in the field. The book clearly presents a wide range of techniques for neural computing with sections dedicated to the background of the technique, algorithms for implementing the technique, the mathematics behind the algorithms, and examples where such networks have been used. All of the challenging mathematics are set aside in clearly marked sections which can be skipped by those not interested in the details. The language of the book is intentionally accessible, and the authors carefully indicate where neural networks are like and unlike real brain activity.

Each chapter has a bibliography indicating further references. Many are the actualy primary sources written by those who researched the field or technique discussed. For one instance, when the authors had changed terminology from a source for clarity, they even explained the words used by the original author to fascilitate studying the original sources.

For someone who has heard of neural networks but lacks a full understanding of what they do and how they work, this book is an excellent choice. After every chapter I was filled with a longing to go write a neural network to play with.