This comprehensive overview of 3-D printing, presented from a manufacturing angle, covers a tremendous amount of information in an engaging, easily digestible format. The accessible text is presented in semichronological, themed chapters (e.g., "3D Printing Our Health"; "3D Printing and Traditional Manufacturing") and effortlessly integrates the who (pioneers, innovators, and entrepreneurs), the how (science theory, hardware and programming requirements, funding and marketing, patents, copyrights, legalities, and intellectual property), the what (jewelry, candy, human prosthetics, body organs, emergency survival kits, dental implants, seafood puree, clothing, toys, weapons, auto parts st to name a few), the where (libraries, UPS stores, 3-D Hubs, maker spaces), the why (equitable access, supply and demand, outdated labor practices), and the why not (moral and ethical issues, product liability and safety, environmental impact, and potential criminal activity). Student-report-friendly features and lots of color photos help to make this an attractive, timely, and popular addition to STEM collections.

A thorough introduction to the ever evolving world of 3-D printing.Though it is difficult not to be shocked and awed by the capabilities of today's 3-D printers, Koch doesn't affect a gaga tone. She keeps a steady pace and lets the subject wow for itself. Readers learn that 3-D printing, though still in its infancy, holds the promise to make medical, fashion, industrial, what-have-you innovations that will change our world in fundamental ways. Koch starts the whole business off by comparing her subject to a mud dauber wasp that uses a variety of materials instead of wood pulp and saliva—and those materials can now be combined to make a range of items from human tissue to flavored sweets, from teeth to 3-D printers that make other 3-D printers. A good selection of engineers and inventors, both men and women, are given pleasingly anecdotal profiles, and Koch lays down some fundamentals that may not occur to readers, such as the fact that each printer is designed to do one job and that job only. The book's layout can get somewhat hectic, with boxes, separate spreads, or abrupt color shifts signaling particular information for emphasis. Occasionally Koch will leave readers stranded—just how, for instance, do archaeologists study digs by using 3-D printers "in a way that will not damage or destroy [artifacts and sites]"? Otherwise, the writing is smart and engaging. A crack primer to a strange new world. (Nonfiction. 12-18)

Gr 9 Up-s more libraries and schools create maker spaces and gain access to 3-D printers, titles such as Koch's will be in demand. This volume provides a brief history of the manufacturing method and of the first developers to innovate the process, and how 3-D printing has advanced over time. Problems with the technology are also covered, from copyright infringement and criminal activity to pollution and sustainability. The scope of the content is expansive; however, the text is dense and may wear out readers. There are not many images, but photos of the creators and some of the final products, such as prosthetics and clothing, help visually break up the text blocks. Keeping track of acronyms for each category of 3-D printing, the necessary software, and the types of materials used can cause some confusion. Those looking for how-to tips can peruse the bibliography and source notes located in the back matter for potential leads. VERDICT This highly informative resource is best suited for strong readers or those tasked with a research project.Thomas Jonte, Pensacola State College, FL