[.uk] Robot Building for Dummies (ISBN 0764540696)

Don't waste your money on the book or the required $318 kit:
I have been into the hobby of robotics for many years now and have to say that "THIS BOOK IS USELESS TO ANYONE HOPING TO BEGIN OR IMPROVE THEIR ROBOTICS SKILL SET". I was given this book as a gift for my birthday and have to admit it was a wasted gift. The first half (3rd actually) of the book is based on pure beginner how to and info, fine. Through out the basic discussion of gear ratios , batteries and electronics are references to the Arobot kit and how it is mentioned later. In the second half (3rd actually) of the book, where Roger starts the high level discussion on robotics, all you do is construct the $235 - $318 robot kit that he sells on his web page. The most helpful information in the whole book came from the list of 10's section (the last 3rd) found in all dummies books. If it weren't a gift I would have gotten my money back.

Good resource, but only if you want to build his kit:
I bought this book thinking it would tell me how to program my own robot, and maybe how to make one from scratch. It just tells you a little bit of the basics, them moves on how to build the robot on his site. But it is an excellent book if you can afford his kit and dont want to move on to anything very advanced.

Got me started into robotics:
This book pretty easy to understand. Most others I looked at were too focused on one area or didn't show me how to actually get a real robot. I was reluctant to spend the money needed to buy a robot but finally did and it's awesome. I've added the light sensor and the camera with the movable head so far. This is my new hobby and its cool! TD Go Wranglers!

Awesome Book For The Robotics Beginner:
Totally cool book!!!!! This is the first book related to robotics that I ever read. It's what got me hooked on robotics. I'd recommend this to any robotics beginner. Packed with helpfull information, this book is a no-questions-asked must-get!!!!!

A helpful read:
Dummies books are almost always spot-on in their usefulness. I say almost only because some titles do go stale as technology advances. I need to update some of the titles in my library. But I digress. Mr. Arrick does a good job of introducing the concept of kit robotics to the curious. Focusing on a specific kit platform called the ARobot, we are led through it's simple construction then add-on projects. If you're ready to attempt a simple robot, this book is an excellent choice.