To add to the understanding of this book and my special love of it, I submit this, which is not meant to be academic; I am not an engineer, although my father was, my copy was published in 1873 although originally published in 1868. It was likely purchased new by my great grandfather in 1875. Complex mechanical devices we consider common today were not in the 1800s, understanding different mechanical movements helped you create the complex movements needed to create new machinery necessary for the mechanical age of the 1800s. By 1875 my grandfather had a number of patents for mechanical devices, the concept of which are still incorporated and in use today. I imagine this book was of use, interest and mind expanding to him. I treasure it.
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In response to aulsmith's review, which wasn't bad or exceptionally critical, it is an old book that could not contain 21st century information, so criticizing it for being old, and not containing current 21st Century pictures is hardly a criticism or a reason to down grade it. Without much mechanical insight it does make you see the transfer of motion, if you didn't learn it in High School. It is history, and apparently accurate history, so saying he doesn't like history and expected an old book to have modern insight in it would be more logical, although absurd. ( )

Like many Dover books, this is a reprint of a much older book. Unfortunately the older book is meant for trained mechanics in the 19th century. The drawings are great, but if you want to actually know what all these gears, etc. do and you don't already have extensive knowledge in that area, this book isn't going to help you. ( )