Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment

What a fabulous little book! Filled with attractive illustrations and fun descriptions. Answers so many questions I had about the creations I see every day. Even as an engineer myself, there was so much to discover. At the risk of sounding like a plug, his YouTube channel is great, too.

This is going to sound horrible, but I cannot get through a book to save my life. I just get so bored reading, and end up giving up. However, I cannot get enough of this book. Whoever did these illustrations in this book really made sure to show the details. I absolutely love the small things about our amazing world around us. Thank you Grady for opening my eyes to how engineering structures our everyday life. I have been a mechanic for 15 years of my life, but this book is seriously making me second think going back to school to become an engineer. I hope you have the time to make another one of these amazing books

I already knew of Grady from his YouTube channel, Practical Engineering, but I would recommend this book even to folks who don't know the first thing about engineering. I am very much not a Math Person, and for years I was very intimidated by the mere idea of engineering. Grady is so talented at explaining the information and making it accessible that I found myself not just learning some basic concepts but enjoying it too. And once I had the book in hand, I've thoroughly enjoyed being able to - as he puts it - explore the constructed environment. We see so much of this stuff, every day! It's almost like a glimpse into a strange world, all the things that make modern life possible - and comfortable!The book is well organized, the illustrations are both informative and in places very amusing (there's a poor unfortunate engineer), and while this is not necessarily aimed at kids, I feel like my ten year old nephew would have NO trouble understanding the material, and would likely enjoy it too!

A useful book for high school students to open their eyes to basic engineering practices. Even as an experienced engineer i got a lot from it. I also like the video broadcasts of the author. Thanks a lot.

Great book from a knowledgeable engineer

The book reviews the commonplace engineering around us that provides our electricity, water, waste disposal and systems we use everyday. Lavishly illustrated and accessible.

…some of the illustrations are barely more than napkin sketches. Actual photos would have made a more compelling read. Overall, a solid reference for basic learning.

My 5 year old son is obsessed with construction and infrastructure, and I thought this was a good gift for him. What I did not anticipate is my son wanting to read it EVERY NIGHT before bedtime, each time asking to start from the very beginning. It has colorful illustrations on every other page, alternating with monochrome illustrations on every alternate page. I also did not anticipate my husband and I to sneak this book our of my son's room in the evenings, to read it ourselves. Only to wake up to an upset child who can't find his favorite book! It explains complex concepts in easy to understand language that I can then retell my 5 year old. It doesn't treat a reader as a 5 year old, rather explaining things clearly and plainly without making them childish and too generalized. I would recommend to anyone, now I have a renewed interest in looking around for electric poles wiring, storm drains and train tracks. Not just a fun book, but adds fun to your everyday life by making you pay attention to little noticed things that make our world run.