J. L. Meriam (1917–2000)

This was my text back in engineering school for dynamics. The subject was fun, and this book has a lot of nice figures and problems to solve in it for anyone interested in teaching themselves mechanics. However my professor was a sadist that expected us to have all of our homework turned in on time and 80% correct to even pass the class and there was a crushing amount of homework. Combined with the work load of my other classes, I failed the first time around simply because I didn't get all my homework up to snuff and not because I did poorly on the tests. Personally, I think homework is where we should be allowed to learn by mistake and then get it right on the test but this sadistic prof didn't see things that way. This was one of the many experiences that has left me rather disenfranchised about the value of formal public education. Rant over.… (more)