Artificial Intelligence (Hardcover)

by Elaine Rich (Author), Kevin Knight (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Artificial Intelligence is a somewhat dated introduction to the subject. If you are looking for an introduction to core topics in artificial intelligence (AI), such as logic, knowledge representation, and search, this book has something to offer. However, if you want to learn about some of the newer areas of AI, such as genetic algorithms, neural networks, and intelligent agents, you will wish to select a different text.

Product Description
The breadth of A. I. is explored and explained in this best selling text. Assuming no prior knowledge,it covers topics like neural networks and robotics. This text explores the range of problems which have been and remain to be solved using A. I. tools and techniques. The second half of this text is an excellent reference.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math; 2 Sub edition (December 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070522634
• ISBN-13: 978-0070522633
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #930,125 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction, December 2, 1998

By	[e-mail] "pollermann" (Germany) - See all my reviews

This is the best introduction about AI I know. It is well readable but still gives precise information. I recommed this as yout first book on AI (second one could be e. g. Winstons AI-Book).

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A really bad textbook., October 25, 2003

By	Kostub D. "kostub" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This is one of the worst books I have actually seen on the subject of Artificial Intelligence. This book is aimed at both advanced undergraduate and graduate studies in AI. It does cover a large number of topics as expected by an introductory book on AI.

The main problem with this book is its use of language. The book tries to explain everything in formal english. This makes the explanations extremely hard to understand without rereading it a number of times. There is no time spent in giving explanations in simpler prose or resorting to mathematical formalism wherever needed. But instead the book reads like Principia Mathematica, except that the words used are familiar English words instead of Greek symbols.

Of course, a seasoned veteran of the subject can easily make sense of most of the things in the book. But the book is designed to throw off any new student of the subject. Unfortunately the book does not even work as a handy reference for a veteran. Finding stuff in the book does require a lot of reading through difficult prose.

Overall this is a bad book, both has an introductory text book and as a reference book. If you are looking for an AI textbook: I would highly recommend Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach by Russel & Norvig.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good basic introduction, but little else., February 1, 1999

By A Customer

I am a games programmer who was wanting to get better understanding of some artificial intelligence applications and theory. This book provided a reasonable introduction, but very little more than I had picked up from my own experience. Search algorithms, State spaces, goal oriented planning and all the basics are covered, but it doesn't go much farther from there. If you know NOTHING about AI it could be a useful addition to your library, but if you're even a novice like myself with introductory understanding it probably won't offer you anything new.