詹姆斯·爱德华·戈登 (J. E. Gordon) 所著《结构》是一部兼具科学性与趣味性的经典著作, 深入探讨了自然界与工程领域中的结构原理及其应用。该著作从当代研究的视角, 结合多领域知识, 深入透析了自然界、工程技术和日常生活中的结构元素, 为读者揭示了一个充满奥秘且与我们生活密切相关的结构世界。全书共16章, 从“结构为任何用于承受载荷的材料的组合”这一简洁而深刻的定义出发, 将“结构”概念延伸到动植物、生物力学和工程技术中, 展现出结构如何承载载荷并影响功能。他通过理论与实践的结合, 系统分析了材料的强度特性、几何不规则性、应力集中等影响实际性能的关键因素, 同时揭示了理论强度与实际强度之间的差异。书中穿插大量自然与工 程的经典案例, 生动说明结构设计如何从自然界汲取灵感, 并将其应用于现代技术中, 如建筑、桥梁和飞行器等领域。戈登还从文化和哲学的角度阐述了结构对人类社会的重要性, 使全书在科学之外, 更具广阔的人文视野。这本书不仅为专业工程师提供了实用指导, 也以通俗易懂的语言为普通读者打开了一扇理解结构世界的大门。

Structures by James Edward Gordon (J. E. Gordon) is a classic work that masterfully combines scientific rigor with engaging readability, offering an in-depth exploration of structural principles and their applications in nature and engineering. Drawing from contemporary research and interdisciplinary knowledge, the book provides a profound analysis of structural elements found in nature, engineering, and everyday life, unveiling a fascinating and interconnected structural world deeply relevant to human existence. Spanning 16 chapters, the book begins with the concise yet insightful definition of a structure as “any combination of materials designed to bear loads, ” extending this concept to encompass biological organisms, biomechanics, and engineering technologies, show how the structure can bear loads and affect functionality. He integrates theory with practice, systematically analyzing material strength, geometric irregularities, stress concentrations, and other critical factors influencing real-world performance. He further highlights the discrepancies between theoretical and actual strength. The book is enriched with numerous classic examples from both nature and engineering, vividly illustrating how structural design draws inspiration from the natural world and applies it to modern technologies such as buildings, bridges, and aircraft. Additionally, Gordon also elaborated on the importance of structure to human society from a cultural and philosophical perspective, giving the book a broader humanistic perspective beyond science. This book not only provides practical guidance for professional engineers, but also opens a door for ordinary readers to understand the world of structure in plain language.