Book excerpt: A comprehensive and lucidly written book, “Strength of Materials” captures the syllabus of most major Indian Universities and competitive examinations as well. The book discusses everything under solids and its mechanics (such as providing different aspects of stresses) and provides the reader with a deeper interest in the subject – all within aptly formed chapters. It also contains typical examples (useful for students appearing in competitive examinations in particular and other students in general), highlights, objective type questions and a large number of unsolved examples for a complete grasp of the subject.