Engineering in Plain Sight

Engineering in Plain Sight
Author	Grady Hillhouse
Original title	Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment
Language	English
Genre	Non-fiction, Civil engineering, Reference work
Publisher	No Starch Press
Publication date	November 2022
Publication place	United States
Pages	264
ISBN	978-1718502321

Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment is a 2022 non-fiction book by civil engineer Grady Hillhouse, published by No Starch Press.

Content

The book is organized into eight functional chapters, using detailed illustrations to catalog various types of civil infrastructure:

Chapter 1. Electrical Grid
Chapter 2. Communications
Chapter 3. Roadways
Chapter 4. Bridges and Tunnels
Chapter 5. Railways
Chapter 6. Dams, Levees, and Coastal structures
Chapter 7. Municipal Water and Wastewater
Chapter 8. Construction

Reception

The book received favorable reviews in Library Journal and Design World. It was also featured in the Purdue University INSPIRE Research Institute's Engineering Gift Guide, where it was described as an "invaluable tool for engineering design learning".

In 2024, Bill Gates included the book on his "Holiday Books" list.

References

↑ "Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment". Library Journal. February 1, 2023. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
↑ "A Plain Explanation of Every Day Engineering". Design World. December 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 28, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
↑ "Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment". Purdue University. Archived from the original on March 9, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
↑ Gates, Bill (November 18, 2024). "Bill Gates on Engineering in Plain Sight". GatesNotes. Archived from the original on January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 9, 2026.

External links

Official book page at No Starch Press
Practical Engineering on YouTube

[LibJournal-1] "Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment". Library Journal. February 1, 2023. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2026.

[DesignWorld-2] "A Plain Explanation of Every Day Engineering". Design World. December 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 28, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.

[Purdue-3] "Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment". Purdue University. Archived from the original on March 9, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.

[GatesNotes-4] Gates, Bill (November 18, 2024). "Bill Gates on Engineering in Plain Sight". GatesNotes. Archived from the original on January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 9, 2026.