This book is intended as a basic textbook and reference work for the young mechanical, civil, and electrical engineer to accompany his college laboratory work, to assist him in his study of an advanced thesis topic, or to serve him in experimental testing in an industrial context.
When was in engineering school, I pretty much blew off the whole thing. I did not think the professors really knew that much about what engineers do in an industrial setting (time proved this to be a reasonable opinion) so I just got through it and went on my way. This book I found in a library sale for 25 cents, I ended up studying it thoroughly and learned a great deal.