This is a major revision of a classic, best selling reference book. Originally published by the American Institute of Physics under the title "Physics Vade Mecum" in 1981, and then the second edition in 1989 with the new title "A Physicist's Desk Reference", this third edition has been completely updated and modernized to reflect current modern physics. The book is a concise compilation of the most frequently used physics data and formulae with their derivations. This revision has six more chapters than the second edition, outdated chapters dropped, and new chapters added on atmospheric physics, electricity and magnetism, elementary particle physics, fluid dynamics, geophysics, nonlinear physics, particle accelerators, polymer physics, and quantum theory. There is a new last chapter on practical laboratory data. The references and bibliographies have been updated. This book is an indispensable tool for the researcher, professional and student in physics as well as other scientists who use physics data. The editors of this volume are Richard Cohen, author of the first two chapters of PDR and the "Physics Quick Reference Guide"; David Lide, one of the editors of the previous two editions and the editor of the "CRC Handbook of Physics and Chemistry"; and George Trigg, editor of the "Encyclopedia of Physics" and the "Encyclopedia of Applied Physics" (VCH). The market for this classic reference book includes the practicing scientist, including engineers, chemists, and biologists; and students.

For thirteen years, during a time of Democratic congressional dominance in Washington, Dan Rostenkowski became one of the most influential American legislators of the twentieth century. As chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the representative from Illinois influenced the nation s tax laws, international trade, Social Security, health care, welfare, and a good many other areas policies that affected most Americans. Richard Cohen s scrupulous political biography of Rostenkowski follows his rise to power from modest origins in the Democratic ward politics of Chicago s Polish northwest side, to his legislative triumphs, and ultimately to his criminal conviction and imprisonment for abuses of House practice. Because Rostenkowski served so many years in Congress (1959-1995), his career offers a prism into the changing nature of the institution and of the Democratic party, a change that gradually brought a new bitterness to Washington politics. Even when the congressman gained national influence, he remained close to Chicago politics and his boss, Richard J. Daley; but as he lost touch with local voters, opposed to political reforms, and clung to his personal stubbornness, he greased the skids for his downfall. Mr. Cohen has written a compelling, eye-opening story of American politics at work, portrayed through his career of one of its most fascinating practitioners. With 8 pages of photographs.