Feedback Control Systems

One reviewer here has written concerning this text, "Probably the most useful textbook available to the undergraduate control student." Based on my use of earlier editions of this text (1st and 3rd), which proved very helpful to me, and my struggles with numerous other texts, which did not prove so helpful, I tend to agree with him. It is well written, more clear, more understandable, etc. So, I give it five (5) stars, especially to offset the low rating given by others. On the other hand, the complaint made by the others had mainly to do with the text's lack of examples commensurate with the complexity of the problems offered. I think that these complaints are right on the money, but not so much in relation to this particular text as to engineering texts generally. One does not learn very much when most of his energy has to be committed to looking for a needle in a haystack.

Control systems are a difficult subject to cover, but this book does a good job of bringing the novice reader up to speed. This is a very straightforward treatment of an extremely technical field, and while it could hardly be described as gripping reading, Phillips has done a good job of presenting the main concepts clearly and understandably. The book is nicely divided into self-contained sections, allowing undergraduate students to immediately identify those topics relevant to their course. Probably the most useful textbook available to the undergraduate control student.