Don't waste your money on this book!!!
I recently saw a bargain (sort of) price on the book and bought it, mainly to give it a second chance. Also, since there is usually at least a little good wheat among the tares, surely there would be a few tidbits I could pick up. Not true in this case. It was a huge mistake and every penny I spent on it was down the drain. Don't ask me why I bought it - it was just one of those impulse, stupid, what-the-hell moments. I read it when it first came out, in 1976, and thought it was very bad. Harold read it also and came to the same conclusion. In fact, Harold and I have been warning people against it since day 1 on the forum.
Some people seem to like it, though. A while back, I was banned from a forum because I bad-mouthed the book. It seems that the forum owner thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. On another forum, the owner promoted the book and said everything he needed to know about refining was in that book. All I can say is that anyone that thinks they learned something, by reading this book, must be totally ignorant of how PM refining really works. Anyone that knows anything will not like this book. However, ignorance is bliss.
The first edition of this book came out in 1976. The author's first language was obviously not English and there was probably not one complete sentence in the book. A second edition (the one I have) was published in 1982. Some lady edited it and arranged it a little better. It's, therefore, better than the 1st edition, in that it's more readable. However, I think it's the same old basic text.
George Gajda worked (or consulted) for a jewelry manufacturer located on Hill Street in L.A. They have been out of business for some time. I knew the company well and, in fact, a guy that had once worked there worked for me for several years. They had an in-house refinery. Assuming it's the same company I'm thinking of, I once heard a rumor that they once ripped up the wooden floor, walls, etc., of the refinery and, after incineration, they recovered 300-500 oz of Au from the ash. That says something about their competency. I could be wrong but I think Mr.Gajda was in some management position and I doubt if he ever actually refined an oz of gold in his life. At least, one would surely think that by reading his book.
The book is a collection of bad refining information. It is also confusing, since a lot of the processes seem to be jumbled up and out of order. I would estimate that at least 90% of the info contained in it is either wrong, incomplete, unworkable, or worthless. The other 10% can be found readily on this forum. I won't go into examples of the book's incompetency because it would take too long and I will most likely never open the book again.
I could be wrong but, I believe that the book is out of print - Hallelujah!. I do see it listed used for between $61 and $140.
My summary: It is, by far, the worst book I have ever read on the subject
I recently saw a bargain (sort of) price on the book and bought it, mainly to give it a second chance. Also, since there is usually at least a little good wheat among the tares, surely there would be a few tidbits I could pick up. Not true in this case. It was a huge mistake and every penny I spent on it was down the drain. Don't ask me why I bought it - it was just one of those impulse, stupid, what-the-hell moments. I read it when it first came out, in 1976, and thought it was very bad. Harold read it also and came to the same conclusion. In fact, Harold and I have been warning people against it since day 1 on the forum.
Some people seem to like it, though. A while back, I was banned from a forum because I bad-mouthed the book. It seems that the forum owner thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. On another forum, the owner promoted the book and said everything he needed to know about refining was in that book. All I can say is that anyone that thinks they learned something, by reading this book, must be totally ignorant of how PM refining really works. Anyone that knows anything will not like this book. However, ignorance is bliss.
The first edition of this book came out in 1976. The author's first language was obviously not English and there was probably not one complete sentence in the book. A second edition (the one I have) was published in 1982. Some lady edited it and arranged it a little better. It's, therefore, better than the 1st edition, in that it's more readable. However, I think it's the same old basic text.
George Gajda worked (or consulted) for a jewelry manufacturer located on Hill Street in L.A. They have been out of business for some time. I knew the company well and, in fact, a guy that had once worked there worked for me for several years. They had an in-house refinery. Assuming it's the same company I'm thinking of, I once heard a rumor that they once ripped up the wooden floor, walls, etc., of the refinery and, after incineration, they recovered 300-500 oz of Au from the ash. That says something about their competency. I could be wrong but I think Mr.Gajda was in some management position and I doubt if he ever actually refined an oz of gold in his life. At least, one would surely think that by reading his book.
The book is a collection of bad refining information. It is also confusing, since a lot of the processes seem to be jumbled up and out of order. I would estimate that at least 90% of the info contained in it is either wrong, incomplete, unworkable, or worthless. The other 10% can be found readily on this forum. I won't go into examples of the book's incompetency because it would take too long and I will most likely never open the book again.
I could be wrong but, I believe that the book is out of print - Hallelujah!. I do see it listed used for between $61 and $140.
My summary: It is, by far, the worst book I have ever read on the subject
:lol: :lol:
