BOOKS

Books Written By Mr. Akhtar Surahyo 

1. Understanding Construction Contracts - Canadian & International Conventions 

Construction Projects outcome is always judged based on requirements specified within the Contract Documents. Contract Documents describes the  contract obligations between the parties and the responsibilities of the Consultant who administers the construction contract for the Owner. Contract Documents serves as a tool for controlling, monitoring, administering and managing the project. This Book offers a comprehensive overview of construction contracting topics including basic understanding of contract law, contract delivery methods, construction documents, insurance and bonds, construction payments, claims and dispute resolution procedures. 

A distinct feature of this book is that most of the key topics are addressed with particular references to the Canadian Standard Form of Contract Document CCDC-2 (Canadian Construction Document Committee) as well as International Standard Form of Contract Document FIDIC Conditions of Contract (Federation of International Consulting Engineers Document) utilizing the construction experience gained over many years by the Author. 

This Book Adopts an easy and concise, step-by-step description of construction contracts; including work examples, tables and legal citations.

 2. Concrete Construction - Practical Problems and Solutions

This thorough and comprehensive update of the 2002 edition incorporates detailed references to the Canadian, American, and British (European) standards, contextualized by the author based on over 30 years of construction experience. The book consists of two parts. The first part provides basic information about normal concrete, its grades used on sites and various kinds of modified concretes such as fiber- reinforced concrete, sulfur concrete, roller compacted concrete, high performance concrete, ultra- high performance concrete, and flowing concrete. It further addresses physical properties of concrete and various types of Portland cement, blended cements, admixtures, additives including properties of aggregates and their influence.

The second part of the book highlights the principal causes of concrete deterioration along with protective measures, resulting from incorrect selection of constituent materials, poor construction methods, external factors, chemical attack, corrosion problems, hot and cold weather effects, and the various errors in designing and detailing. Featuring an extensive bibliography of the highly adopted standards as well as manuals and journals critical to the construction industry at the end of each chapter, the volume promotes an advanced understanding of the theory and practical application of concrete technology and international standards in North America and Britain.

Both Books (2 & 3) can be purchased at:

·     www.springer.com,  www.amazon.ca/.com/.in,  www.chapters.indigo.ca, www.kobo.com

·       www.abebooks.com, www.booktopia.com.au

3. The Purpose of Human Creation

Why is mankind created? And what is the purpose of our life?

Questions on this topic have even led several philosophers to claim that human existence is merely a product of chance, or we do not really exist and that the whole world is imaginary. It is surprising that why the earlier philosophers and ideologists like: Plato and Socrates have not solved this basic question? Why did Fichte and Nietzsche not provide a solution to it? Why did the investigations of Wittgenstein and Russell not focus on these most important questions?

As per Professor Ahmad Rafique Akhtar (one of our intellects), the answer is simple - they did not possess integrating, holistic intellects. The driving force behind their intellectual pursuits was not to discover the truth, but the desire to attain status and glory. They worshipped the splendour of their own intelligence. Consider the cosmologist who investigates the origins of the universe but completely overlooks the fundamental question of human purpose. Even Einstein in his preoccupation with the theory of Relativity ignores the fundamental point of human purpose on Earth.

Although most people put the question of why we are created aside after occasional brief reflection, it is extremely critical for human beings to know the answer. Without knowledge of the correct answer, human beings become indistinguishable from the other animals around them.

In this book, the author has tried to understand: the creation of the Universe, The Creator of the Universe and whether Big Bang is Plan or Accident, our Earth Planet is Plan or Accident and Human being is Plan or Accident to reach the aim of the book that is “The Purpose of Human Creation”. 

4. Human Traits- Innate, Liked and Disliked - As I See in Quran

An important aspect of Islam is that every human being has the free will to choose between right and wrong. Allah (SWT) has honoured humanity with this great gift. However, it comes with heavy responsibility, and on the Day of Judgment, we will be accountable for our use of this gift.

Although, human beings have inborn tendencies for good and evil, still environment or external factors can also influence their behavior. Ultimately, the decisive role in this respect is played by people’s own inner preference and choice, that is, free will. Moreover, human beings are connected to Allah (SWT) and their behavior or nature is also affected if they are in touch with HIM or not. Unlike psychological theories, Islamic view of human nature is integrated and comprehensive and considers all relevant aspects.

It is important to learn about our natural traits as detailed by our Creator in His Book Quran. Understanding our human nature and flaws would help to recognize our mistakes and improve our own qualities. The aim of this Book is to highlight some desirable and undesirable innate traits of mankind mentioned in the Glorious Quran along with human qualities liked and disliked by Allah (SWT). The Book also addresses many important topics related to mankind, such as; Creation of Mankind, Dignity and Status of Mankind, Concept of Knowledge, Concept of Trust, Moral Responsibility, Standard of Justice, Why Mankind is created, Concept of Ruh (sprit) and Nafs (self), Free Will and so on in the light of Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

eBook can be purchased at: www.kobo.com

Print Book can be purchased at: www.ebay.ca

5. A GLIMPSE INTO HISTORY OF SINDH AND VARIOUS CIVILIZATIONS

The past creates the present. Our modern world exists because of events that happened long before our time. With lessons from the past, we not only learn about ourselves and how we came to be, but also develop the ability to avoid mistakes and create better paths for our societies. As Spanish philosopher George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it”. 

The book talks about various civilizations and is divided in to two parts- The Part-1 addresses the Prehistoric Period of Sindh and various civilizations. The first ancient societies arose in Mesopotamia and Egypt in the Middle East, in the Indus valley region of what are now Pakistan and India, in the Huang He (Yellow River) valley of China, on the island of Crete in the Aegean Sea, and in Central America. The book also sheds light on the Oxus civilization, Arabian and Persian civilizations, Mauryan Empire, Roman Empire, Ancient Israel, Asia Minor and so on.

The Part-2 of the Book covers the Journey of Sindh from Rai Dynasty to becoming part of Pakistan. It addresses the period of Rai Dynasty, King Chach, King Chandar, Raja (King) Dahar, invasion of Arabs, Arghuns, Tarkhans on Sindh. It also provides information on Ismailis and British rules on Sindh including Soomra, Samma, Kalhora and Talpur (Mirs) Dynasties.