Holograms & Holography: Design, Techniques, & Commercial Applications

Rating:
Summary: Excellent attention to detail
Review: As with most of his other books, John Vacca begins this text with some very interesting history and little known details of holographic imagery that pushes the curious reader ever forward and deeper into the text. The particular areas of this type of technology that I was interested in are very well covered but I learned quite a bit more than I bargained for when I "peaked" at other chapters. John was very thorough and I appreciate the point of view he takes when he writes... he knows his readers aren't all "techno-junkies" who know the lingo!

Rating:
Summary: This is by far the worst book on holograms in print
Review: Having graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Electo-Optics I found John's treatment of this subject very through but, unlike my rather dry college textbooks, very enlighting. Highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in the future of technology.

Rating:
Summary: A complete, in-depth book and CD-ROM technical manual
Review: Holograms & Holography: Design, Techniques, & Commercial Applications is a complete, in-depth book and CD-ROM technical manual for the combination of physics and optics that allows the creating of a beautiful, shiny, three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional surface. From the myriad uses of hologram technology to the economic value of holograms and how to create them with a computer, Holograms & Holography Design is more than a straightforward instruction book - it also has helpful instructions for how to best put holograms to commercial and practical use. The text is "intermediate to advanced" level; while it covers some very complex and technical subjects, it strives to do so in an explicitly clear manner, that anyone with a basic understanding of the physics involved can grasp. Diagrams, appendices, glossary, and an index complete the handy accessibility of this reference. The CD-ROM that comes with the book contains hologram-related images, animations, and web sites. In order to view the CD-ROM's files, a separate graphics program software such as Paint Shop Pro or Visio is required for the image files, and a separate movie player such as Quicktime, Windows Media Player, or Real Player Plug-in is required for the movies. Adobe Acrobat Reader and any web browser software (such as Netscape) are also useful for taking full advantage of the CD-ROM. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: A complete, in-depth book and CD-ROM technical manual
Review: Holograms & Holography: Design, Techniques, & Commercial Applications is a complete, in-depth book and CD-ROM technical manual for the combination of physics and optics that allows the creating of a beautiful, shiny, three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional surface. From the myriad uses of hologram technology to the economic value of holograms and how to create them with a computer, Holograms & Holography Design is more than a straightforward instruction book - it also has helpful instructions for how to best put holograms to commercial and practical use. The text is "intermediate to advanced" level; while it covers some very complex and technical subjects, it strives to do so in an explicitly clear manner, that anyone with a basic understanding of the physics involved can grasp. Diagrams, appendices, glossary, and an index complete the handy accessibility of this reference. The CD-ROM that comes with the book contains hologram-related images, animations, and web sites. In order to view the CD-ROM's files, a separate graphics program software such as Paint Shop Pro or Visio is required for the image files, and a separate movie player such as Quicktime, Windows Media Player, or Real Player Plug-in is required for the movies. Adobe Acrobat Reader and any web browser software (such as Netscape) are also useful for taking full advantage of the CD-ROM. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars for Holograms & Holography
Review: I've been keenly interested in holography since a child and have read or reviewed most books on this subject. I have not read a better book! This book covers the A-Z of holography and is strongly recommended as an excellent reference book for the technical engineer's or hobbyist's bookshelf. In an extremely readable format, the author discusses the practical and theoretical aspects of holography and it's current manufacturing techniques. In addition, there is much discussion about marketing this new technology- which should be of interest to marketing and business managers and entrepreneurs. This book is easy, enjoyable and fascinating to read. The hologram included is simply awesome.

Rating:
Summary: Informative Book on a Interesting Subject
Review: John Vaccas' Book, "Holograms & Holography" provides IT professionals, Web Developers and Security personnel with an insight into the development, maintenance, and many uses of Holograms in the digital era. I was especially interested in the history and application behind holograms, which described in the first chapter, stimulates you to read on. Mr. Vacca goes on to describe many additional and practical uses of hologram technology in IT today before describing in technical detail the design and development of holographic images. Overall the book acts as a complete reference to hologram technology and even includes a free CD-ROM that provides a gallery of holographic images as well as the software that was used to develop and manipulate these images. An excellent read on a subject that is somewhat uncharted territory to most IT professionals.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a misleading con
Review: This book is inaccurate, out of date and misleading. It should never have been published, but as it has been the "author" and publisher should at least have had the grace to acknowledge the fact that much of the content has been copied wholesale from previously published papers and web sites. It won't help anyone to make or understand holograms - its science is confusing and wrong, its techniques are even more confusing and inadequate.
As an editor of a holography book myself I declare an interest, but I would have been pleased to see a good book on the topic. This book is not it. In fact, it's utter rubbish (how's that for a carefully reasoned response?)

Rating:
Summary: This book is a misleading con
Review: This book is inaccurate, out of date and misleading. It should never have been published, but as it has been the "author" and publisher should at least have had the grace to acknowledge the fact that much of the content has been copied wholesale from previously published papers and web sites. It won't help anyone to make or understand holograms - its science is confusing and wrong, its techniques are even more confusing and inadequate.
As an editor of a holography book myself I declare an interest, but I would have been pleased to see a good book on the topic. This book is not it. In fact, it's utter rubbish (how's that for a carefully reasoned response?)

Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: This book provides an in-depth discussion of holograms, as well as information about commercial applications. The indexes cover a vast array of topics, from holographic theory and research to frequently asked questions and related websites. This book should be required reading for all holographic developers.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive treatment of a complex technology
Review: This text starts with an overview of the science behind holograms and proceeds to cover commercial applications including anti-counterfeiting, entertainment, trading cards and virtual reality. Final chapters cover how to create holograms using your computer. Included with the text is a CD-ROM with holographic images, animations and Web sites.