It takes a lot to impress me these days. I've seen dozens of books on Access, SQL Server, and different aspects of relational database design and Structured Query Language (SQL), and very few have really made me sit up and take notice--except for those I've been directly involved in writing, of course. 😐
This one is different. Three of my friends collaborated to write Effective SQL -- 61 Specific Ways to Write Better SQL. My copy finally arrived today. Right away it engaged me on at least two levels.
First, it's the kind of book you can dip into without having to turn off all distractions such as your phone, tv and music. Well, you ought to turn off the tv anyway. But you know what I mean. It's written the way an old friend would explain something challenging but vaguely familiar. You know the authors care about what they're describing, and they want you to feel the same way. This isn't an academic tome intended to establish some sort of hierarchy with the authors at the top and its readers at the bottom. My kind of book.
Second, it's technically gifted, or rather the three people who got together to write it are. And that shows up in the care with which they detail the subject matter.
I'm sure it's the kind of book that will live on my desk, or the shelf next to it, not over there in the bookcase with dozens of other books I've acquired over the years.
Buy it. You'll be glad you did. I sure am.
