Choice Review

Cook's book is aimed primarily at applications in control engineering that involve dynamic properties of nonlinear feedback systems. It deals with nonlinear dynamic systems that can be mathematically modeled in such a way that the output of the system can always be determined for a given input. Cook discusses state-space models, harmonic analysis, piecewise- linear models, stability, control system performance, and discrete-time systems. Several examples in each chapter demonstrate the concepts developed in those chapters for both engineering and natural-science types of problems. Most chapters also have a set of exercise problems. This book is directed primarily toward graduate students and faculty in electrical and control engineering; however, it would also be useful for advanced undergraduate students in the same fields of study.-C.R. Hammond, Vanderbilt University