Lester Randolph Ford Jr.'s "Flows in Networks" (1962) remains a cornerstone of network flow theory. This Princeton Landmarks volume established the foundational models and algorithms still widely applied today across diverse fields. From transportation and manufacturing to image processing and internet traffic, the book's techniques are indispensable. Ford and Fulkerson's work not only spurred advancements in computational tools for solving network flow problems but also significantly contributed to linear programming and combinatorial mathematics. Featuring clear, computationally efficient proofs and insightful commentary by Robert Bland and James Orlin, "Flows in Networks" continues to offer invaluable insights for researchers and students alike.
Review Flows in Networks
Flows in Networks: A Classic, But a Challenging Journey
Let me tell you about my experience with Lester Randolph Ford Jr.'s and D.R. Fulkerson's "Flows in Networks." It's a true landmark, a foundational text that deserves all the accolades it receives. As the description says, it's a book that belongs on the shelf of anyone seriously engaged with network problems, and the impact it's had on fields from transportation to the internet is undeniable. Reading it, you can genuinely feel the weight of history – this isn't just a textbook; it's a piece of the history of the development of modern computational methods.
However, I must admit my experience wasn't entirely smooth sailing. I went into it as a relative newcomer to the field of network flows, perhaps a bit too ambitiously hoping this classic would be my friendly introduction. That's where I hit a snag. The writing style, while precise and rigorous – a testament to the era it was written in – is undeniably dense. The authors don't shy away from mathematical detail, and the level of abstraction can feel quite steep at times, especially for someone without a strong existing foundation in the subject. I found myself constantly needing to reread sections, referring to supplementary materials, and working through examples meticulously to fully grasp the concepts. It’s the kind of book you need to tackle with a pencil in hand, actively working through the proofs and algorithms.
This isn't to say the book is bad; far from it. The very difficulty speaks to the depth and complexity of the material it covers. The clarity of the core ideas, once understood, is remarkable. Ford and Fulkerson masterfully present the foundational concepts of network flow, building upon each other with a logic that, while demanding, is ultimately satisfying. I especially appreciated the authors' focus on computationally efficient constructions; you feel the practical considerations interwoven with the theoretical development. It’s a testament to the enduring relevance of their work that the algorithms and models presented remain highly influential even today.
The foreword by Robert Bland and James Orlin further enhances the value of this edition, providing helpful context and insights into the book's continued significance in contemporary research. It bridges the gap between the original publication and the current state of the field, emphasizing the lasting impact of Ford and Fulkerson's work.
In short, "Flows in Networks" is a powerful and influential book, a true classic in its field. But it's not a book for the faint of heart. If you’re looking for a gentle introduction to network flows, I'd recommend starting with something more introductory. However, if you’re ready to delve deeply into the core principles, if you're willing to grapple with challenging but rewarding material, and if you appreciate the historical significance of foundational works, then this is a book that will richly reward your efforts. It’s a challenging but ultimately immensely satisfying journey through the fundamental ideas that underpin so much of our modern world.
Information
- Dimensions: 6.14 x 0.5 x 9.21 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 216
- Publication date: 2024
- Publisher: Princeton University Press
Book table of contents
- Foreword to the 2010 Edition
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- CHAPTER I STATIC MAXIMAL FLOW
- CHAPTER II FEASIBILITY THEOREMS AND COMBINATORIAL APPLICATIONS
- CHAPTER III
- MINIMAL COST FLOW PROBLEMS
- Introduction
- The Hitchcock problem
- The optimal assignment problem
- The general minimal cost flow problem
- Equivalencc of Hitchcock and minimal cost flow problems
- A shortest chain algorithm
- The minimal cost supply-demand problem
- The warchousing problem
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