ISBN9780471663157

I purchsed this book because it was required for my general physics class. According to my physics professor and personally trying to follow the process of problem solving, Cutnell and Johnson falls short. The sample problems lacked "showing work" and graphics to help a student absorb the sequence of problem solving. Their methods seem more elementary than the higher level expected in a college environment.

This book was wonderful, and I read it from cover to cover. Like some other reviewers, I also think that most readers would benefit from some more examples of problem-solving in the text. I didn't personally find that troublesome, as I learn more effectively when I have to work at figuring it out myself. Although, it would have gone much faster with more examples. I took calculus in college, yet I took the algebra-based physics courses, as the calculus-based courses were taught by poor instructors. I absolutely loved this book and learning about physics. The course was at 7:30 am (unavoidable) and since the instructor followed the book so carefully, I stopped going to class since it was so early. I was able to learn enough from this book alone (I would take notes on the chapters) that I could successfully complete the problem sets and take my tests and got A's both semesters, and it wasn't an easy class. I know that if we'd been using a lesser book, there's no way I could have learned all of that physics by just reading a book, as most books don't explain stuff nearly as well. I would have had to go to my early class, and probably wouldn't have understood anything! Yay for this book - it taught me stuff!

p.s. For all of you reviewers complaining about the lack of calculus: umm, it would be kind of unfair if calculus was in a book for an algebra-based physics class (of which there are many taught, even to science majors). these classes don't have calculus prerequisites most of the time. I know calculus, but not everyone who wants or needs to learn physics does.

I used this book for an introductory Physics class and it was very helpful in supplementing my professors lectures. There are some really good pictures and diagrams to help in understanding various principles. It was very clear and concise. The algebra was more helpful than any other algebra book I've had, however the author did cut some corners in procedures which made it a bit hard to follow at times.

This book is pretty good. I would have given it 5 stars if it were't for two reasons, both of which are typical of physics textbooks.

1. Lack of solution manual. What's the use of problems when there are no solutions to check work?

2. Labeling problems by difficulty. Once again this is a flaw of all the physics textbooks I've seen. Sometimes these labels are inaccurate. Either way seeing problem labeled difficult intimidates the student, who may very well be capable of getting the problem right.

It's just physics questions in a book without any information on the topic being asked. Thought it would provide information on best approaches based on the type of question asked etc. I can find physics Q&A online for free, there is no benefit to the book.