A. Föppl and L. Föppl, Force and Deformation. I. Applied Theory of Elasticity, trans. from the German by V. M. Abramov, edited by Prof. I. M. Rabinovich, Moscow–Leningrad, 1933, GTTI, 420 pp. Price 7 rubles 50 kopecks.

The book was written by the famous German scholar, engineer Prof. A. Föppl, with the assistance of his son L. Föppl. The first volume presents the general foundations of the theory of elasticity in a technical treatment, the theory of bending of plates, and the so-called plane problem. The exposition is entirely scientific and clear, accompanied by abundant practical applications. Unfortunately, the authors have paid little attention to the major works on the bending of plates by Russian scholars, especially the works of Prof. B. G. Galerkin, S. P. Timoshenko, and others, and to that elegant solution of the plane problem which was created by the works of G. V. Kolosov and N. I. Muskhelishvili. The book adds translations of L. Föppl’s recent work on the plane problem. The translation is quite good. However, the external quality of the edition is puzzling, since many parts of the book simply cannot be read. It is rare for such a good book to be spoiled in this way.

The book is a substantial addition to courses on the theory of strength of materials and should be useful to engineers and technicians engaged in project design. The authors have paid little attention to the physical essence of problems of elasticity. It should be expected that in the next edition all these shortcomings will be corrected.

L. Leibenzon