Don't tar them all with the same brush - Gordon
McComb's "Robot Builder's
Bonanza" isn't a bad book; probably the best book on amateur robotics, IMO.
Well, I have it, but I certainly wouldn't have paid full price for it (I
found it in a charity shop). I suppose it's got some good ideas in it,
but much of it seems to be poorly designed and presented. I suspect you
could do a lot better with a little thought.
On the other hand it's better than some books on homebrew robotics...
-tony