Analytical Mechanics (Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science) [Hardcover]

J.L. Lagrange (Author), A. Boissonnade (Translator), V.N. Vagliente (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0792343492 | ISBN-13: 978-0792343493 | Publication Date: February 15, 2001 | Edition: 1

The Mécanique analytique presents a comprehensive account of Lagrangian mechanics. In this work, Lagrange used the Principle of Virtual Work in conjunction with the Lagrangian Multiplier to solve all problems of statics. For the treatment of dynamics, a third concept had to be added to the first two - d'Alembert's Principle - in order to develop the Lagrangian equations of motion. Hence, Lagrange was able to unify the entire science of mechanics using only three concepts and algebraic operations.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (February 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792343492
• ISBN-13: 978-0792343493
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,447,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Get real on pricing!, July 2, 2008

By 

HJF - See all my reviews

This review is from: Analytical Mechanics (Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science) (Hardcover)

C'mon--$300? For that price I can take a decent French course! Surely someone out there is willing to produce an English translation at a realistic price.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, July 21, 2007

By 

G. P. Sheward (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Analytical Mechanics (Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science) (Hardcover)

Pencil and paper are needed to sketch out the diagramatic details as the author lays down his work; he does not use diagrams. I am enjoying this book, as it is putting many things into perspective. I wish modern authors would write this way---clear. I also purchased The Variational Principles of Mechanics by Cornelius Lanczos to help with Langrange's Equation.

3.0 out of 5 stars If you can read French, then you don't need this book., December 17, 2008

By 

D. Vader (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Analytical Mechanics (Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science) (Hardcover)

Read the original if you possibly can. Volumes 1 and 2 of the 3rd edition (in French) are in print; their ISBNs are 1418168432 and 1418167908 respectively. They cost only $39.95 apiece (list prices).
As for the English translation: it received a favorable review by Massimo Galuzzi in Isis (vol. 89:1, 1998), but it is overpriced (as another reviewer has already pointed out), and it contains many misprints. For example: the word "nouvelle" is misspelled on the title page, and the tangent of a polar angle on page 34 is written as x/y, when it should be y/x. This is pretty sloppy proofreading for such an expensive book.