This book is basically a big advertisement for combat roboting. Otherwise, the authors never seem to decide if they want to convey theory of mechanics or a rough overview of the pastime. For example, they include charts that look technical, like torque vs. rpm, but convey no useful information that cant be reasoned out with a little common sense. The book carefully details various battery properties. But, in the very next section the only thing it says about power transfer that it is necessary to make the wheels turn. They include a few useless formulas that can, again, be easily reasoned, but it doesnt mention anything about how to build or acquire a transmission.
The controller sections are also poor. They include electronic schematics that, while not incorrect, are obsolete and overly simplified. Yet, in the same sections the book actually include programming (basic I think) for controller chips.
Maybe the one-star rating was a little low, but I feel that this book was a brain-stormed first draft that mistakenly made it past the editor.
More hype than substance
Good for the Intermediate....