The immediate impression of Chung's book is that, at over 1000 pages, it is a significant text. This would suggest that while it could form an excellent reference text, it is not appropriate for a beginner. However, this is not necessarily the case. Its excellent structure and clarity allows the reader to easily choose the sections that are appropriate to their interests.
Unlike other texts in this field, the book covers a wide range of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) techniques without focusing on one and glossing over others. In particular, it contains an excellent explanation, using hand calculations, of the alternative techniques of finite elements, finite volumes and finite differences. In fact, it takes these explanations further and explains how they are related and how finite volume techniques can be derived from the other two methods. This is not just an exercise in numerical analysis, as it deepens the reader's understanding of the relative merits of each method. This understanding is also assisted by an explanation of the historical development of CFD.
The book is focused on applications in mechanical engineering and physics rather than civil and environmental engineering, as the latter are not widely publicised. In comparison, it is useful as a CFD text for those working in this area. It covers the necessary numerical methods and focuses on grid generation and physical models, including turbulence. From a fluvial and coastal perspective it should be pointed out that the book deals with three-dimensional solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations and not the one-dimensional or two-dimensional shallow water equations.
To summarise, this text gives a clear and comprehensive description of CFD. Other books may be of use as undergraduate texts or as a general introduction to CFD, but this book is excellent for those who are going to be making significant use of CFD themselves or who will be supervising the CFD work of others.
