Hydrodynamics

Rating:
Summary: An essential reference
Review: The first edition of this book was published in 1879 when Sir Horace Lamb was a much younger person (he was serving as an officer in international associations in the 1920's). It remains a standard classic text in hydrodynamics, covering the fundamentals of the subject. The basic science has not changed, but solutions to problems have become much more advanced as some processes are better understood, and as computational methods become more advanced. The text covers the basic equations of motion, irrotational motion, fluid motion in two dimensions and problems in three dimensions, the motion of solids through a liquid, vortex motion, tidal waves, surface waves, waves of expansion, viscosity, and rotating fluids. It is recommended as a standard reference for hydrodynamics and physical oceanography.

Rating:
Summary: An essential reference
Review: The first edition of this book was published in 1879 when Sir Horace Lamb was a much younger person (he was serving as an officer in international associations in the 1920's). It remains a standard classic text in hydrodynamics, covering the fundamentals of the subject. The basic science has not changed, but solutions to problems have become much more advanced as some processes are better understood, and as computational methods become more advanced. The text covers the basic equations of motion, irrotational motion, fluid motion in two dimensions and problems in three dimensions, the motion of solids through a liquid, vortex motion, tidal waves, surface waves, waves of expansion, viscosity, and rotating fluids. It is recommended as a standard reference for hydrodynamics and physical oceanography.

Rating:
Summary: Unique Classic
Review: This book was written in a time when ideas established by men such as Kelvin and Rayleigh were still exciting and new, and it evolved over the decades to remain a classic reference. You'll find many interesting discussions of fundamental ideas in fluid dynamics that most modern books take for granted, as well as novel approaches to some classic problems. There is more emphasis on the set of "exactly-solvable" problems than more modern books, because of the arrival of the computer and the availability of the numerical solution. Finally, this is not quite a textbook but more of a collection of articles, so much so that the earlier articles often reference later ones in the book. It's a good place to learn about aspects of fluid dynamics, but it's not an introduction. It's often not an easy read for someone stil unfamiliar with the required mathematics or dynamical principles, but you do get a unique and valuable perspective.

Rating:
Summary: Important reference -- can be very difficult to digest.
Review: This is, of course, a classic text on fluid dynamics. Expect some work to get through it, though. It is very mathematical and not for the feint-hearted.