Communications Books

This is a pretty good book - simply one of the best references I've seen that dwells a lot on special cases in magnetics and electrostatics (I haven't looked at the rest in detail, but I know how clear the explanations are). If you are a researcher, or someone who wants to know the deeper math and underlying assumptions behind all the theory in this field, this is a very good book. As a researcher myself, I deal with special cases where the normal equations - the ones you learnt in introductory undergrad/high-school physics don't really apply. This book is a good reference for me. The author deals in depth with interface conditions in electrostatics and magnetics, boundary problems and the fields in anisotropic materials where the magnetic induction need not vary linearly with the magnetic intensity. Stratton teaches us how to deal with situations where the magnetic permeability and electric permittivity are dependent on position.

I found this book after reading old technical papers (dating back to the 1950's), that referred to this book as their source. Written by a very distinguished author, it's math is not as presumptuous as most books in the field. It seems much more friendly spreading knowledge. Another book that I would recommend is the Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism by J.C. Maxwell (volume 2) - on magnetism.
A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism: Volume 2 (Oxford Classic Texts in the Physical Sciences)

Both these books are quite old - and some of the notations used are different from the ones you might encounter. The Stratton book is, in that sense, more up to date. The Maxwell book deals with a lot of basic vector calculus - by basic I mean the simple calculus that people used in the 19th century to derive formulas and churn out ideas. As such, most of them are quite elegant.

If you're a physics student or a researcher, this is a must-have addition to your collection.

The most complete and detailed book about Electromagnetic theory I have read so far!

To the curious minds of today and tomorrow:

As you can gather from the other reviews on this book, Stratton's magnum opus is time-honored, and kept in highest regard. If you checked the reference list of all modern day books on electromagnetic theory, you would immediately discover that there is always Stratton's on the list. And that should be your hint.

The prose used in the book is simply lucid. No corner is cut in the discussion. Almost everthing presented therein is worked out from scratch, and the discussion of the analyses is as rigorous as they possibly can be.

I believe this book would be most useful to those who are interested in gaining a truly deep understanding of electromagnetic phenomena. But here's a word of caution...this book needs to be read very slowly and carefully. Every sentence in the book is a gem, on which the reader needs to reflect :-)

I highly recommend this book. And I wish someone would publish
it again, so that the current and next generations of curious minds will not be denied widespread access to such a masterpiece!

Cheers,

Dr. E.
----------------------------------------------------

What it really distinguishes this book is it explains the crucial issues to understand the real physical concepts behind the electromagnetic theory. for instance, the explanation why one over the square root of the multiplication of epsilon and mu gives the velocity of wave, check any book it will say the typical statement "mathematical consequences". The coverage is superb when it comes to the field source and in the subsequent chapters relating it to the boundary conditions. For engineers, this book is not a textbook, it is a book you read to establish a substantially strong background to analyze any electromagnetic problem. For a physicist, it is essential textbook to understand EM theory. Unfortunately, it is out of print, I hope every one knows this fabulous book or want to have it to send an email to prof. Donald G. Dudley, the editor of the IEEE series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory, to reprint it again. This his email: dudley@ece.arizona.edu

This book is not suitable as an introductory text because it assumes its readers have a mature understanding of Maxwell's equations and high mathematical sophistication. I have no further opinion of it as a teaching tool, having only used it as a reference for professional work in the electromagnetic sciences. In this role it never fails to provide a systematic and rigorous discussion of the topics it covers. The book is particularly comprehensive in areas of potential theory and contains the solutions to many problems that I have not been able to find elsewhere. Often these solutions are assumed as background for current research publications in EM so having access to detailed solutions can be very helpful. However, the book has three significant drawbacks as a reference: (1) The sections are not written to be standalone so one often has to do much work looking up early equations and notations (2) The mathematical techniques are, expectedly, dated. For example it relies more heavily on Green's Therom than current approaches (which largely avoid explicit use of Green's Therom by employing Green's Functions) and seeks explicit solutions where numerical techniques could be more easily employed (3) The material on wave propagation and scattering is limited. All that said, for the right person in the right field, this book is a real gem.

This is a must have book for anybody into electronics but the publishers should have provided a link from this edition to the new one by Harry Kybett and Earl Boysen All New Electronics Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self Teaching Guides). The new edition, which came out in 2008, uses the same great approach to teaching you about electronic circuits and all the math that goes with them, but it's been updated. The writing is improved with clearer explanations, and the layout is much more user friendly. Buy this book, but be sure to get the newest edition! (I gave this one 4 stars only because the new one is a 5 star).

You would gain maximum benefit from this book if you go slow as you read this book and finish all of the quiz questions. Please don't jump around between various chapters - just go slow and steady from chapter 1 to chapter 2 and so on!

This book does an excellent job of explaining basics/theory of electronics [almost]. The quiz questions are formatted in such a way that they make you think - and I liked that! My favourite subject area was the chapters 3 & 4 where author explains the workings of a transistor.

I recommend this book for beginners and intermediate level students of electronics who are looking forward to strengthen their understanding of the workings of electronic components.

Regards,
Shaukat

This is one of the best introductory books to Electronics anywhere. Highly recommended.

The book is layed out well with nice diagrams. Not the hand drawn diagrams I've seen in other books. It is clear and concise. Several examples are given with each topic.

As others have noted, this really is an excellent book. It starts off slow with a review of DC and then covers the basics of AC and transistors. If you follow along and do the exercises you learn alot.

I really loved his nice development of transistors. He does it over 3 chapters.

The math consists of basic algebra so it's suited to high school level or amateur builder. Not really a college text.

The only book I've seen that matches this one for clarity is "Basic Electricity" by Van Valkenburgh, Nooger & Neville, Inc. ISBN: 0790610418. It's a reprint of the series first published by Rider. Also get the excellent 24 part series Navy Electricity & Electronics Training Series (NEETS).

table of contents of the Kybett book:

DC Pre-Test and Review
The Diode
Introduction to Transistor
The Transistor Switch
AC Pre-Test and Review
AC in Electronics
Resonant Circuits
Transistor Amplifiers
Oscillators
The Transformer
AC Diode Circuits and Power Supplies
Conclusion
Final Self-Test
Appendices
Index

I'm a big fan of the Dummies series and never thought I'd find anything to compete with it except for the Idiot's Guides. I was wrong. I found this book covers the topic much better than the Dummies and Idiot's guides. The author writes in my kind of language - plain and simple so the average guy can understand. And the indepth coverage of the industry is a bonus. I really like the author's down to earth style of writing. This is a buy.

I am currently working in Silicon Valley and found this book to be extremely helpful for me to understand networking and communicate with my clients here in the Valley. Mr. Keogh clearly explains the fundamentals of networking so that the reader can follow the how networking works and have confidence in discussing networking with others. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Keogh's books.

I'm a college instructor. During the summer I was asked to teach a basic network course for the fall term designed for students who are beginning their networking studies. Books I used for my other networking courses were MCSE books that were too detailed for my students. Then I came across this book, which is perfect for my class. The material is detailed enough so students come away with a good understanding of the concepts, yet not too detailed to overwhlem them. This is a perfect blend - and the companion website to this book offers slides and test questions free. I highly recommend this book to any instructor - or any student.

Keogh keeps an excellent balance between material for "complete idiots" and material for engineers. He uses simple metaphors (lots of highway traffic comparisons) to explain the "why" and "how" of networks, and anticipates reader's questions fairly well. The book is up to date, and covers just about any subject you need to be familiar with if you want to talk to engineers using their vernacular. The industry overview, covering major players, was particularly useful. There is one flaw, whose importance depends on your own reading habits: the writing style is atrocious, and it looks as if the book never went through an editor at Prentice Hall. While the conversational style makes the material easier to absorb, there is a good number of spots that would be marked in red all over if this was an English 101 paper. Still worth it, though.

I always found computer networking mystifying in the way it can transport my words around the world in a fraction of a second. I've read a lot of books on the subject, but this is the only one I found that clearly explains this process. The book is full of networking jargon, but that shouldn't scare you because each is explained in a way anyone can understand. He uses the highway metaphor, so if you understand how cars travel the highway then you'll easily relate to how words and pictures travel on a network. I recommend this book hands down.

I just finished reading this book called Everyday Friends by Lucy Diggs. She loved how the characters were made and how the story was laid out. I recommend this book. It's too good for words.

I LOVE this book. I think i've checked it out of the library at least 12 times. It's very true to life and just how learning to ride, jumping, showing, and owning a horse is really like. Its unlike most horse stories in that its not JUST about horses (theres a bunch of other really good themes in it too) and it's not unreal at all. The main characters aren't at all near perfect, and they dont win everything all the time. Besides just being a horse story, it's great for anyone. I LOVE THIS BOOK!

This is my all-time favorite horse book (fictional). It's a wonderful story and the horse facts are the most realistic in any book I've ever read.

It starts off with Marcy, an only child, who loses her long-time best friend to the 'cool' crowd. She ends up meeting the new girl, Nat, who is a horse-nut and starts taking learning to ride on Nat's horse, under the instruction of Nat's bohemian mother.

The book continues on with Marcy going to her first horse show, then her first big time horse show. She also learns some things about Nat that threaten their friendship.

The story is just great, I can't say enough about it. Being a horse person myself, I love how accurate it is. Most horse books really screw up what horse shows are like - this one has it down pat, including correct class names.

Anyways, I would highly recommend to any horse-crazy teen looking for something a little different than the Saddle Club/Thoroughbred books. Those are good in their own right, but this book (while a little old now) is much more realistic and better.

I thought this was an absoloutley fabulous book!! I am a horselover, and I thought this book was amazing!! I loved the way Lucy Diggs put so much feeling and thought into every character, even the horses!! I also loved all of the show "scenes", they made me feel like i was really there!! I also liked how the people in this book weren't perfect, they were just normal people; sometimes Marcy would fall off, or get run away with. I have read other books where the person doesn't even know how to ride, and suddenly they take a blue ribbon in a show!! Anyway, I think this is a great book for every 13 year old horsey lover, and i reccomend it to anyone who loves jumping (like me). I hope this review was helpful to you, and enjoy Everyday Friends!!! ^_^

This is the sort of book I've always wanted to write myself - a realistic novel where even when things go as you might hope, they don't always go as you plan. And yet, that's still okay.

The book begins with Marcy starting the eighth grade only to realize that her very best friend of many years is dumping her and hanging out with other girls. Depressed, Marcy starts taking new routes to and from school and discovers a new neighbor who has a horse. She's never ridden but is immediately entranced, and her neighbors offer her lessons.

Along the way, we watch Marcy struggle with piano, which is important to Marcy's family but not to Marcy, and struggle with riding, which is not as easy as she first thought. But, through the year, she learns that the struggle is worthwhile, both with riding and in life.

What I especially enjoyed about this book was that it was no fairy-tale - Marcy does not find the glowing mare of her dreams, but instead finds a real horse that she loves just as much. She does not win an armful of blue ribbons at her first show. She despairs, she gets frightened, and yet she eventually succeeds - just like the rest of us in real life.

This book is fantastic. The inside story of the remaking of TV news (for the better!) by Primo would alone be worth the time, but it is the stories and anecdotes about the reporters that makes this book impossible to put down. With many laugh out loud moments along the way, you will be sorry when this one ends.

Eyewitness Newsman is a pleasure. I've been recommending this book to everyone I know.

I have enjoyed reading about how the most copied news format ever was born. The chapter on Geraldo was real insight into how he came to be so famous. Anytime I can read about the ego maniac Howard Cosell, I take advantage.

If you are interested in how your local TV newscast gets put together every night, this is the book for you. Mr. Primo was the inventer of contemporary TV news, and his book is a concise and easy to read history written by someone who was there, and who was responsible for many of the innovations which make TV news interesting and relevant.

As a bonus, the book includes inside information on some familiar names Primo worked with including Geraldo Rivera, Howard Cosell, and Tom Snyder.

Eyewitness Newsman should be required reading for anyone interested in the Television News Business.

Al Primo provides insightful analysis on news coverage. For example, it highlights some priceless examples of how to beat back the competition in this cut throat line of work. It is also quite instructive on how to grab at viewers and build brand loyalty. How Primo created both the Eyewitness News format and an exceptional, although quite eccentric, team of reporters is very entertaining to boot.

This book is hilarious. Tells the story behind the story of how a motley crew of news reporters changed the way TV broadcasts news. Some like Geraldo Rivera, Howard Cosell and Joan Lunden went on to become broadcast icons. The stories about Geraldo threatening riots in the street, Howard Cosell's missing toupee, and Roger Grimsby's outragegous one the air cynical snipes at other reporters left me in stiches.

Al Primo was the maestro behind the scenes. Not only did he provide the innovative approach that moved news away from the set piece studio with stilted empty suits "reading" the news in front of camera, he had his hands full herding the cats... Not to mention tempering the inflated egos of his new breed of diverse, in your face, reporters. Before cable and reality TV there was "Reality News," thanks to Al Primo and the Eyewitness News Team.

A most enjoyable read.

Love the creativity and the uniqueness....not just a book for youngsters. To be read over and over. For all age groups, not just babies, toddlers, youngsters. New meanings uncover with each reading, for each age group as well!

Very, very clever...

Sea of ZZZ's, Princess Beddy-Bye, all the characters are so cute. Reading Fantazzzmia to my kids has become a nightly ritual. After the book ends we talk about all the imaginary stuff in their minds. They make up the most creative stories. Fantasssmia is great, but the stories my kids make up after I finish reading to them is where the real fun starts for me.

It's Fantassstic!!! Love, love, love it! I actually think I get more out of reading this fantasy book to my little Punky than she does. Oh, and my little Punky totally loves the illustrations.

I've seen a great number of children's books in my work in the motion picture industry. Children's books are a hot topic ever since "Harry Potter" and "Schrek." In my honest opinion, the world where dreams are born, that Webber and Erne portray breaks all the rules that seem to govern the way that children's look and feel. They have provided us with a whole new world where anything is possible. The dreamscape of a child's immagination. In just a few breath-taking spreads they have convinced me that there really is another world in the clouds. I can't wait to see the movie.

So I got this great little book at a charity function I was attending. I don't have kids but I figured what the heck, my girlfriend's nieces and nephews are always dropping by, I'll get it for them. To my amazement, the first time I read it to them, they went ga-ga. They wanted me to show them where Fantazzzmia was on the map. They wanted to know how old Princess Beddy-Bye was. They wanted to know how many sheep count Babaloo could count up to. But mainly, they wanted to hear it again and again and again until they were out like little lights. Like I said, I don't have kids of my own, but if I did, Fantazzzmia would be their ultimate bedtime story.

Excellent film studies text--informative. Delineates the different epochs of film not only in the U.S. It includes international film and the work of Eisenstein, Renoir, Kurosawa, and others. Concise language and beautiful black-and-white and color reproductions.

Due to a change of plans I didn't use this book this quarter. However, hearing from my follow film students this book details well about the history of film and not just North American film. All film. A must for a film student.

I had this book for a Film History class, and it was great. I've used it every semester since and plan to keep it forever and sleep with it under my pillow.

Even though it isn't aimed at teaching film theory or basics, it's better at explaining the basics than Film Art by miles. It also makes theory more interesting and topical to learn since it goes chronologically and highlights films that were actually influential, instead of the ones that Film Art just happened to get the rights to print pictures of.

Highly recommend.

If you are interested in film history on the whole, please, give yourself a treat by purchasing this book. It is not cheap but it is worth every penny. I had it after a course in film history and despite being someone who usually sell or dump away my texts after graduation, I find it very hard to give this one away. Boy, am I glad I did not. As one's scope and experience in world cinema grows, so too does one's interest in this book. Bordwell and Thomas's style is academic but always enthusiastic, and theirs is the most comprehensive account of world cinema in English (pre-war Japanese cinema, anyone?). I have not found another general film book on world cinema history to match, and I will certainly be purchasing its third edition (what I have is the first) if that ever comes by.

here's a short comparison I made between the following 3 film history books:

A History of the Cinema from Its Origins to 1970 (Eric Rhode)
A Short History of the Movies (Gerald Mast)
Film History: An Introduction, (Thompson-Bordwell)

I was looking for a technical/historical overview of the development of cinema, without idiosyncratic criticism and with emphasis on the origins of film techniques, genealogy of influences of filmmakers, relevant references to history, literature and other arts, and impartial accounts of filmmakers' careers.

Instead of a verdict, I will simply quote passages about two greats:

Rhode: [about Fellini] "Fellini's greatest works are inevitably works of laughter and tears. [...] Fellini gets into trouble when he deserts feeling for thought. La Dolce vita (1959) is a sterile thematic exercise [...] In the film's first sequence, a helicopter [...] The film, intellectualy, is over. Christ has been petrified into wood; he is the tool of modern machinery [...] Although the film has nothing more to say, Fellini continues for two hours, contrasting sensual things [...] Juliet of the Spirits [...] suffers from a similar over-schematization."

Mast: [about Antonioni] "Antonioni sometimes has trouble in allowing his images to accrete meaning [...] His failure to generalize experience was to be total in La notte (1960). Lacking any understanding of how writers think and feel, his portrait of the author, [...] is so unconvincing that the spectator may be tempted to think that Giovanni's crisis of conscience is no more than a rationalization of his inability to escape from his wife's purse-strings."

Thompson-Bordwell: [about Antonioni] "From the start of his career Antonioni demonstrated a mastery of deep focus (Fig. 19.30) and the long take with camera movement (pp. 427-429). The early works also pioneered [...] Antonioni's muted dramatization of shallow or paralyzed characters found a sympathetic response in an era that also welcomed Existentialism. [...] Juan Bardem, Miklos Jansco, and Theo Angelopoulos learned from his distinctive style. Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation (1974) and Brian De Palma's Blow-Out (1981) derive directly from Blow-Up."


nuff said...

This book was a great read and provided insight into the highly competitive field of integrated circuits. The author does not have technical background and so don't expect anything crazy. But, he does do a good job of explaining what goes on and the enormous effort that takes place. A wonderful read for the aspiring entrepreneur and the electrical engineer.

I presently work in the RF/Microwave industry and have just finished my MBA. It was fun to read about a startup in the wireless semiconductor industry and all it took to get the company off the ground.

According to all business logic RF Micro Devices should never have been born, much less built to a world-leading high-tech company: yet, it did, and Jerry D. Neal and Jerry Bledsoe chart its amazing rise in Fire In The Belly: Building A World-elevating High-Tech Company From Scratch In Tumultuous Times. Author Neal left his own job to help his friends raise money to start the revolutionary company on a shoestring in 1991: a company which was to market only seven products. These were key products, though, from the first radio frequency integrated circuits cell phones would come to rely on to a power amplifier chip which succeeded in building the company. An entertaining, riveting story of business success results.

According to all business logic RF Micro Devices should never have been born, much less built to a world-leading high-tech company: yet, it did, and Jerry D. Neal and Jerry Bledsoe chart its amazing rise in Fire In The Belly: Building A World-elevating High-Tech Company From Scratch In Tumultuous Times. Author Neal left his own job to help his friends raise money to start the revolutionary company on a shoestring in 1991: a company which was to market only seven products. These were key products, though, from the first radio frequency integrated circuits cell phones would come to rely on to a power amplifier chip which succeeded in building the company. An entertaining, riveting story of business success results.

If you've ever doubted the importance of adaptability, the power of perseverance and their combined ability to affect extraordinary change, look no further than your cell phone. After reading Fire in the Belly, you'll never look at it (your cell phone), business, or the world the same way again. Neal explores joys experienced and challenges endured in building a world-class high tech firm from the ground up (or in this case, one step and one power amplifier chip at a time). He shares wisdom that money can't buy and provides lessons learned about people, projects, and persistence that would serve anyone well. (Note: If you've ever initiated or championed a new idea, worked as a "start up project" team member, been passionate about an area of interest,or otherwise felt or witnessed the entrepreneurial spirit's "spark," you'll be particularly appreciative of Neal's perspective on his work and his brilliant comparison of it to play ("like kids on a ball field who hate to quit playing and come in at night"). Fire in the Belly is a must have for entrepreneurs and for anyone in a leadership role, and it should be required reading for students (in all disciplines, but especially undergraduate business students and M.B.A. candidates). Aside from being a fascinating read, its message is real...Neal's business/life lessons are applicable beyond the classroom, the boardroom, the semiconductor facility and Wall Street. I only wish I'd had benefit of this book years ago.
Lynne Ivey, Corporate Training & Development Manager, Biltmore Estate/The Biltmore Company (Asheville, NC)

I taught a course in computer security and a course in advanced networking during the spring semester of 2008. Both of those classes contained some coverage of the role of computer firewalls and the techniques they use to protect computers from malicious entities. This was the primary resource I used in my presentations of firewalls and in that context, I found it invaluable.
There are three main sections:

*) Introduction to firewalls
*) How firewalls work
*) Managing and maintaining firewalls

For the computer security course, the second section was the most valuable, for in that course we discussed the mechanics of how security is provided on the border of the network with the exterior world. Specifically, chapter 8 "Application Proxy Firewalls" and chapter 9, "Where Firewalls Fit in a Network" were useful.
The last section was of major importance in the advanced networking course since the emphasis in the course was on network management. I required the students to write a major document on network management policy and the ruleset for managing the firewall(s) was a major section of it. Specifically, chapter 10 "Firewall Security Policies" and chapter 11 "Firewall Policies/Rulesets" were useful.
This book is an excellent introduction to firewalls and contains enough advanced material for it to be useful for the training of networking professionals.

Don't let the title fool you into thinking the book is only of value to novices. Instead the book goes into unexpected levels of detail while still staying easy to read. I was surprised at how much detail there was. There was a lot more information that I would have expected. I think a wide range of skill levels can still find value in the book as an everyday reference, or to study up on the topic. I would highly recommend this as a vendor-neutral book for your networking collection.

As an IT professional, I know and understand that firewalls are a requirement in today's computing environment. But as a developer, the details of firewalls are pretty much a black box to me. I was pleasantly surprised with the book Firewall Fundamentals - An introduction to network and computer firewall security by Wes Noonan & Ido Dubrawsky. I actually understood most of it! :)

Contents:
Part 1 - Introduction to Firewalls: Introduction to Firewalls; Firewall Basics; TCP/IP for Firewalls
Part 2 - How Firewalls Work: Personal Firewalls - Windows Firewall and Trend Micro's PC-cillin; Broadband Routers and Firewalls; Cisco PIX Firewall and ASA Security Appliance; Linux-Based Firewalls; Application Proxy Firewalls; Where Firewalls Fit in a Network
Part 3 - Managing and Maintaining Firewalls: Firewall Security Policies; Managing Firewalls; What Is My Firewall Telling Me?; Troubleshooting Firewalls; Going Beyond Basic Firewall Features
Part 4 - Appendixes: Firewall and Security Tools; Firewall and Security Resources; Index

There were actually a number of surprising aspects to this book (all good). The first thing that surprised me is that this is a Cisco Press book. As such, I would have expected a huge bias towards Cisco technology at the expense of everything else. Yes, most of the options and solutions covered include the Cisco offering in that category. But the overall focus is on the underlying technology instead of the vendor offering. That means that you are getting great information on firewalls, not just how Cisco does it. Another surprising aspect for me was the range of experience that is targeted in the book (and successfully at that). Part 1 was perfect for someone like me who isn't intimately acquainted with the inner workings of a firewall. Part 2 covers the range of solutions, both hardware and software, personal and enterprise. And Part 3 is one of those sections that you'd likely use on a regular basis at work if you're responsible for the care and feeding of network security. The information is extremely practical, and having checklists for troubleshooting may just be something that bails you out of some ugly situations...

There's not too many books that can pull off the difficult task of reaching all experience levels on a subject. The fact that this book does it while being published under a vendor imprint is even more impressive. Definitely a book I'd recommend on the topic of firewalls...

Firewalls have gone from a luxury to a necessity in the computer world, and today a thorough understanding of their function and setup is required reading for any serious networker, programmer, or computer operator. Firewall Fundamentals: An Introduction To Network And Computer Firewall Security addresses all issues, providing a through introduction to firewalls, how they protect, up to more advanced TCP/IP protocols and firewall configuration for Linux and other systems. From application proxy firewalls to security policies and rules, Firewall Fundamentals holds it all.

Firewall Fundamentals provides what I see as the first clear book in many years on the oldest known protection for the Information Technology field. Authors Wes Noonan and Ido Dubrawsky take the concepts of protection at the basic level and slowly walk the reader through protection and defense from the introduction of threats to the details of advanced firewalls like the Cisco PIX and ASA appliances to Microsoft's ISA application. While this book may to be advanced in nature, it explains in detail the simple items that make the understanding of Firewalls and their technology important. Even from the goal of the book "...personal and desktop..." where the authors clear state that no level will be untouched does this book make one feel comfortable and unafraid.

Considering that this is a Cisco Press, book it surprised me that the amount of non-Cisco detail the authors' included, from Checkpoint and Microsoft ISA in the larger areas to Trend-Micro in the smaller areas. These guys ensured in this book a level of detail and understanding that will guarantee a complete read; even a Security Engineer, like myself who has learned the advanced concepts and deployment methods/reasons for security, gained new insight into the world I work in. For both Noonan and Dubrawsky present the items I sometimes miss, the obvious and clear issues that the regular individuals encounter and need to help them.

Noonan and Dubrawsky start with the simple items and basic concepts slowly and adding to them while not forgetting the assumed reader. This book is divided into four sections including the Appendixes: The first of the major section as always the Introduction which covers the basics from what a threat is to the difference between a personal (computer) based firewall to a network firewall.

After the basics are covered the authors' begin moving into the how of firewall technology from the personal computer to the common home-office like Linksys and finally into the realm of small office and hardware that include the Cisco platforms. While these chapters may appear to focus more on the Cisco Products they do include important other chapters that deal with items like where a firewalls belongs within the network. Within this section of the book we see items as mentioned like the Linksys and Cisco products, but we also see NetFilter and other freeware and pay products including Microsoft's ISA and Checkpoint mentioned, configured and discussed in detail. Within Chapter 7 the Linux products that are slowly advancing in the industry due to their cost and availability are detailed with the NetFilter product. Flow-charts and diagrams again help to explain not only this product, but the key concepts behind firewall technologies and examples of scripting help individuals learn and understanding what should be occurring with the product.

Finally the last key section deals with the importance of Managing and Maintenance any Firewall. From policy management to troubleshooting they do not leave anything out. I personally found the chapter entitled "What is My Firewall Telling Me?" very different from what I would expect in a simple how to read the logs chapter. The authors took time to explain the concepts of logging, the importance and different methods to read the log. Again they showed that this is not a book that is Cisco centric on Cisco heavy by using products and screen shots of non-Cisco items like Microsoft and NetIQ.

What this book is missing is a disclaimer that while published by Cisco Press it is not entirely Cisco Centric and this is a good thing. Yes as many people know Cisco is a large player in the field of networking and information security these author's do everything to ensure a fair and equal play of the others I have mentioned before. I feel that if you where looking for a book to help anyone with a small or home office environment protect it, this is the book you need. While I found adding it to my collection a positive and enjoyable experience, I can only hope that you will too.

"For the Write Reason" is a rich compilation of personal stories and tips from published Christian authors, editors, and others in the publishing field, written directly to those coming up behind them. It answers a lot of common questions and keeps the Christian author focused on the reasons we are called to write through a 31-day bible study. It's always comforting to get the perspective of someone who's been there; this book is no exception!

I aquired this book by reading another book. I really got this book because I was curious. I am estactic that I did. There are so many good tips from other writers in this book, that I have altered my style to what I think is a much better approach. I will be going back to this book many times to reread the information to refresh my writing.

Thank you Marybeth for this excellent tool! Hearing all of the different experiences was not only inspiring but educational. I will recommend this to many!

The women of Proverbs 31 Ministries have produced a book that is a wonderful encouragement for writers. It is an easy read, with stories and insights shared from those who know what it is to stare at a blank screen or page and long to see their words in print. At the end of each segment is a simple Bible study that helps you write "For the Write Reason", keeping you focused on the inspiration and purpose we write.
My favorite segment: From Darkness to Dreams by Mary Southerland. Mary is a speaker and teacher who, like many of us, uses journaling to cope with depression. Her journals led to a book, Coming Out of the Dark. She shares lessons and good advice... and a brief story about not giving up from the publisher who turned down Veggie Tales!
This book is inspiration and encouragement - not a text on how to... but fuel for the soul of the writer who truly wants to write for the right reason.

Lisa Van Allen, PhD

If you have wanted to write but been afraid to try, you should read For the Write Reason, edited by Marybeth Whalen. The book contains thirty-one accounts, some in the first person and others in the third, of how Christians have become writers. Some have always wanted to write; others never wanted to write but found it strengthened their ministry. The people profiled include Rebecca Barlow Jordan, Mary DeMuth, Mary Southerland, Sharon Jaynes, Athena Deane, Thelma Wells, Kendra Smiley, Denny Boultinghouse, Rachel Scott, and Sally E. Stuart--a name familiar to most Christian writers.

Not only do they tell their stories, but many include tips on getting published or writing better, making this a valuable book for writers who are already published. They also share a vision on the importance of spiritual priorities, such as the family, service, and humility.

Each short chapter includes follow-up information on the author, editor, or agent, along with a devotional and a writing challenge. The devotionals deal with obedience, jealousy, priorities, and other subjects as they affect our writing. Most are thought provoking, some encouraging, others convicting. The writing challenges supplement the devotionals and would not take large amounts of time.

Whalen includes helpful appendices on writing a book proposal and bio sheet, marketing your writing, and useful writing resources.

Writing styles vary with the writer, but most are warm, encouraging, and friendly. I highly recommend For the Write Reason, which offers something for almost every writer, especially the beginner. -- Debbie W. Wilson, Christian Book Previews.com