ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS DESIGN.

By JosephF. McPartland '47 and the Editors of Electrical Construction and Maintenance. NewYork: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1956.137 pp. $6.

This valuable book describes itself as "an up-to-date guide to electrical systems design practice." Written primarily for the practicing architect or construction planner, it succeeds admirably in bringing together the basic data which must be at hand in order to achieve a satisfactory result. Comprehensively it treats with the electrical systems necessary to various types of building occupancy (commercial, industrial, residential, etc.) and includes power, lighting, communication and heating requirements - all presented in a most usable form. Lest the technical reader of this review be tempted to conclude, however, that the volume is "just another handbook," we hasten to point out that each area is developed fully, with methods of calculation carefully set forth and with specific examples worked out.

This book is not intended to be a text. On the other hand, it not only presents a wealth of detailed information, but shows the reader (even if inexperienced) how to use it effectively. Moreover, many a practicing architect, upon seeing it for the first time, will wish that it had been available to him long ago. The large pages, the well-arranged tables and the many excellent diagrams and drawings enhance the usefulness of the data presented. Some of the material has been adapted from articles previously published in the magazine Electrical Construction and Maintenance.

On the whole, this is an excellent presentation in a clear, readable manner of a subject of considerable importance to those who plan our offices, schools, factories and homes.