The Library Shelf

Within the compass of three hundred and seventy pages Dr Pai sets down an account of the theory of compressible flow which is surprisingly comprehensive. Such compactness has its accompanying drawbacks. The style is not always easy to read and smacks of the reference work in many places. The reason is often merely outlined, sometimes too scantily, but mostly with enough depth to enable the reader to grasp the theme of the argument. A bibliography at the end of each chapter is fully sufficient to develop the subject for the interested student. Neither the application of the theory nor its real relation to physical events is given serious consideration but the theoretical limits demarcating approximate methods of solution are carefully set out and analysed. In short the book deals with the theory of compressible flow in a brisk and authoritative manner and Dr Pai clearly derives pleasure from the aesthetic value of the theory for its own sake.