Schaum's Outline of Thermodynamics for Engineers, 2nd edition (Schaum's Outline Series) [Kindle Edition]

I found the first edition of the Schaum's outline on Thermodynamics to be quite helpful and complete. Like several other Schaum's outlines it can double as an inexpensive textbook on the subject due to the completeness of the accompanying lecture that comes with each chapter. There are plenty of equations, good illustrations, and excellent worked example problems. The main difference between this second and the first edition is that the material is basically the same, just reorganized in its presentation to flow more naturally for the uninitiated student. Also, the author has more solved problems and has added some sample quizzes. If you already have the first edition and use it as a reference, it is probably not worth it to upgrade to the second edition since the educational content is the same. However, if you are a student who is studying thermodynamics for the first time, definitely get the second edition because it does flow better than the first and the sample quizzes will probably be helpful to you. Also, if you are a student, this outline will be helpful to you because the vast majority of textbooks on thermodynamics are awful. Either they take a very theoretical approach and neglect worked numerical examples or they take an oversimplistic viewpoint and have only very simple examples that you would never encounter in industry.

I have been a full-time and adjunct professor for 41 years. This is an excellent text/resource for all thermodynamics students. One could teach the entire first semester and portions of follow-on courses from this text. Material is clearly and logically explained. If left to select a text for the first thermo course, and in consideration of student budgets, I would use this as the basic text and supplement with copies of my lecture notes. Of course, at some point, the practicing engineer would want to acquire a copy of Cengel and Boles. Delivery from Amazon was fast!

I love Schaum's Outlines, I believe the series writers have done more for my academic careers than my professors and their respective "recommended" texts. This book, like others of the series, is simply problem after problem. You will know your stuff if you practice with this book. Be aware that I did mention that this book is more helpful than my professors and their "recommended" textbooks, but that still doesn't mean you should simply study from this one text. It is to be used in conjunction with other learning materials.

Doing so will really prepare you, especially if you are like a person like me that complains about never having enough examples/practice problems. Well... let's just say that after buying and using this book, you'll wish you had enough time to go through all the practice problems. Seriously, there are a LOT OF PRACTICE PROBLEMS.

The best part about the Schaum's Outlines series is that each section starts of easy to test/teach the basics. Don't feel like you are being thrown into a pool without knowing how to swim.