Book Description
This is the first text to come along in many years that makes psychoanalytic personality theory and its implications for practice accessible to beginning practitioners. The last book of its kind, which was published more than 20 years ago, predated the development of such significant concepts as borderline syndromes, narcissistic pathology, dissociative disorders and self-defeating personality.
Contemporary students often react with bewilderment to the language of pioneering analysts like Reich and Fenichel and, since 1980, the various volumes of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) have reflected an empirical-descriptive orientation that deliberately eschews psychodynamic assumptions. Consequently, today's therapist in training may have little exposure to the rich clinical and theoretical history behind each disorder mentioned in DSM; to psychoanalytic expertise with widely recognized character patterns not mentioned in DSM, such as depressive and hypomanic psychologies, high-functioning schizoid personalities, and hysterical personalities; or to a comprehensive, theoretically sophisticated rationale that links assessment to treatment.
Filling the need for a text that clearly lays out the conceptual heritage that psychoanalytic practitioners take for granted, this important new volume explicates the major clinically important character types and suggests how an appreciation of the patients' individual personality structure should influence the therapist's focus and style of intervention. Dispensing with the dense jargon that often discourages people from learning, Nancy McWilliams writes in a lucid, personal manner that demystifies psychodynamic theory and practice. Innumerable clinical vignettes are presented with humor, candor, and compassion, bringing abstract concepts to life.
Comprehensive in scope, Psychoanalytic Diagnosis will be valued by seasoned clinicians and students alike. Psychodynamically oriented readers will find it an excellent introduction to psychoanalytic diagnostic thinking. For those identified with other approaches, it will foster psychoanalytic literacy, providing them with the capacity to better understand the approaches of their analytically oriented colleagues.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book.......2007-06-04
Highly recommended for anyone interested in personality or clinical psychology. Nancy McWilliams is a fantastic writer and makes quite complex concepts very accessible and easily understandable. I also appreciate the compassion with which she discusses personality disordered individuals.
Accessible Freud.......2007-03-08
This book is required reading for my graduate studies, but after having read Brenner to get the complexities of Freud's theories, it is quite refreshing. The book is well organized, and it doesn't drown in academic language. It is fairly easy to understand, which makes it possible to put all of the components of psycho-dynamics together to make sense. I would reccommend this to anyone who wants to understand the origin of psycho-analysis, or to anyone who just is curious about Freud and how he influenced our world through his ground breaking theories.
Not just for the psychodynamically inclined........2007-03-05
With clarity of expression, humanity and imagination, McWilliams has written a classic exposition of psychodiagnosis from the dynamic framework. However, this book will be read for years to come by clinicians seeking to understand symptoms and behavior in the context of the personality of the person exhibiting these symptoms or behavior, and not just clinicians who are psychodynamically oriented. I run a psychology doctoral training program and suggest this book to all of my students. Understanding the concepts herein will have great impact on the clinical work of any serious therapist.
A New Level of Understanding.......2006-11-12
Briefly, this book has given me a new level of understanding of my clients -- sadly one I never got in my cognitive-behavioral oriented graduate school. There is a richness and depth that, in my experience, is astonishing to find in one author. E.g., I had little clue to what goes on in the mind and heart of someone with a diagnosis antisocial/psychopathic personality, or how one could reach such an individual. The book speaks of inner conflicts, defenses, transference and countertransference and therapeutic strategies in such a manner that one has a coherent understanding at a new level of depth.
Excellent!.......2006-03-07
I am not educated in psychology, but I found this professional-level book easy to read and very informative. McWilliams looks at various personalities like the sociopathic, paranoid, hysterical, etc. She explains the defense mechanisms that lead to the various personality types. Although this book is written from the standpoint of pathological personality types and is intended for use by professionals and psych students, after reading this book you will have a greater understanding of personality quirks of family, friends, and co-workers. Well-written and very informative, even for the "armchair" psychologist.
Book Description
This conceptual introduction to architectural structures covers all the basic structural principles and terms, explains how to use statistics of equilibrium formulae to calculate beam reactions, and employs illustrations and multi-exposure model photographs to provide a compelling overall guide to structural behavior. Also distinguishing this guide from many others on the market are its case studies and useful preliminary sizing data.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent supplement.......2007-04-20
This is a great book to act as a conceptual supplement architects taking courses in structures. Glad I bought mine when it was still going for only $35.00 used. Knowing how good it is I would actually consider paying the high used prices it is going for now.
best intro to architectural structures.......2003-10-01
Excellent intro to architectural structures. Strong on principles and concepts with numerous case studies; illustrations (by the author) alone are worth the price; expensive.
understanding how structure work with architecture.......2001-06-06
i am an architect. my professor has translated this book in farsi for introduce this book to his students. i think this book is very useful for architects, because they can understand structures good with many good examples.
Average customer rating:
- The best I've found!
- Muddled
- Good Book, Good Grammar, Happy Tummy
- A (very rare) compendium of English structural grammar
- Working Your way backwards
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Understanding English Grammar (7th Edition)
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Exercises for Understanding Grammar
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The Art of the Short Story
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Henry V (Folger Shakespeare Library)
ASIN: 0321316835 |
Book Description
This highly praised, and top selling book on developing advanced grammar skills is a comprehensive description of sentence structure that encourages its readers to recognize and use their innate language expertise as they study the systematic nature of sentence grammar.
A practical blend of the most useful elements of traditional, structural, and transformational grammar, this book emphasizes whole structures, most specifically the ten basic sentence patterns introduced in Chapter 2. Two key features separate this book from others: its clear organization and its user-friendly, accessible language. Users appreciate the self-teaching quality that incremental exercises provide throughout the chapters, with answers at the end of the book. For anyone interested in improving their grammar.
Customer Reviews:
The best I've found!.......2006-06-07
I own the 3rd edition of this book. I don't know if the comments I have will still apply to this edition, but here they are anyway.
I looked everywhere for a book that illustrated grammar instruction through diagramming sentences, and this is the only one I've found! If you aren't into that, don't let it discourage you. They are only used as illustrations and to show the similarities and differences between sentence types.
This book takes a very logical approach to grammar that I was very thankful for and which was very easy for me to follow, as it added just the right next bit of information as I was ready for it. It was just what I was looking for.
Muddled.......2005-07-08
I have just suffered through this book for a college grammar course and I was left in a muddle by this text. This book made me believe I understood it all, until I realized the authors did not discuss the exceptions such as the parallel uses of words listed under one category that really could be in two or three categories. Sometimes the authors gave such unclear explanations that I was left with many questions as to when the rule would really apply. And the organization of the book seemed backwards. Some of the end chapters needed to be discussed at the beginning. But what really upset me was the dishonesty. Giving us the line that descriptive grammar was so much better than prescriptive grammar (arbitrary rules), they inferred that language is like arithmetic, that there are rules to describe how language works. Unfortunately language is not so precise. Sometimes 2 plus 2 did not equal four, as their rule stated. There were many ways to interpret words and fit them into their forms and functions, yet this ambiguity was not admitted. Some of grammar will always be prescriptive. After believing I understood grammar, this book painted my knowledge of grammar in a confusing shade of gray.
Good Book, Good Grammar, Happy Tummy.......2003-07-28
I'm a fiction writer. And there are four books within reach of my writing desk. The most recent addition has been Martha Kolln's Understanding English Grammar. This bad boy has it all, folks. If you're like me, you get tripped up on lie and lay like the rest of us, and those kinds of words (and the rules underlying them) are at the very heart of what UEG sets out to clarify. I think I first went to Kolln's masterpiece for help with prepositions. I don't know who first introduced prepositions into the English language, man, but I'd like beat him with a wet dish rag!
As Kolln says on page 320: "Prepositions are among the most difficult words in the language for foreign speakers to master." I'd take this a step further; I'd say they're the most difficult words for _English_ speakers to master. A couple of examples she lists:
Be sure to fill out the form carefully.
Be sure to fill in the form carefully.
He wasn't fired.
He didn't get fired.
Can _you_ spot the correct usage above? Well, if it gives you pause then Understanding English Grammar may be the book for you. It is a model of grammatical clarity and a wonderful reference book to turn to in times of grammatical doubt:~)
Other books I keep close by my writing desk include: "The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms," Richard Lanham's "A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms," and The Holy Bible. If cleanliness is next to Godliness, grammatical perfection is like Zen awareness. You know it's possible to attain, but achieving it is another matter altogether. Kolln's book can help -- with the grammar, that is.
Yours,
Stacey
A (very rare) compendium of English structural grammar.......2001-01-26
It turns out that this handbook makes a huge success of introducing the structural work on English syntax. This compendious guide will never prove to be a disppointment to those who see the value of structuralism.
Working Your way backwards.......2000-05-09
I have been using this as the text in my grammar class at Stephen F. Austin State University and I find it very helpful. It is a wonderful place to start for anyone wanting to be a better writer. If you can find the workbook that goes along with it I suggest using it. My only complaint is the sequence of the chapeters. I would start with the last section and then work my forward.
Book Description
Get this practical, illustrated guide to the International Building Code.
With the publication of the new International Building Code, the building industry is moving toward a single universal set of construction codes, rather than the three regional codes previously in use. Now more than ever, architects need an interpretive guide to understand how the building code affects the early design of specific projects. This unique reference blends the graphic skills of bestselling author Francis Ching with the code expertise of Steven Winkel. They closely examine the portions of the building code most relevant to the architect and provide a simple and practical interpretation using both words and illustrations. All of the changes in the code are explained in simple, user-friendly language so you'll get up to speed quickly and easily. Order your copy today.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent resource for understanding the code.......2007-09-22
This text does a very good job of breaking the code down into understandable chunks. The addition of graphics helps to understand the verbiage. It is probably best suited to architectural students rather than construction workers, since it spends a lot of time on big picture issues: when do you need to sprinkle, where do you need fire dampers, how many square feet are allowed for Type III construction, etc. Still, it provides the reasoning behind why architects design as they do, so it's still very useful to the non-architect.
Don't go near the code without it.
A great book!.......2007-06-04
Ching did a great job again! The line drawings clarified the codes and made it easy to understand.
Gang Chen, author of Planting Design Illustrated
Evaluating Code Compliance in Design.......2007-01-10
This book is a great tool to use during the design of a building. It applies more to commercial, but is also useful to residential buildings. Using this book will sharpen your code skills and avoid some costly design errors. You will need to have a copy of the 2006 IBC at your disposal if you are going to use this book in any serious way. It is organized in a logical format, but you can easily skip around and cover critical sections. The only thing that I think should be added to this book is a checklist for each type of construction that could be used for plan review. All of my work is in residential so a checklist would help me focus on the pertinent sections of the book.
Excellent Code Understanding.......2006-11-05
Great visual graphics which aid in NC Building Codes along with clear explainations
Excellent Guide to the Codes........2006-03-11
Being an architecture student, this book, and others by Frank Ching, are more than helpful. It really clarifies the IBC and makes design for studio projects go a lot quicker. Definitely get this book if you're studying architecture.
Book Description
An easy-to-use guide to building codes for healthcare facilities
The construction industry is evolving a single set of international building codes. Now, more than ever, architects need an interpretive guide to understand how the building code affects the early design of specific projects. One in a series of focused guides to building codes from Wiley, this book familiarizes code users with the 2006 International Building Code(r) (IBC) as it applies to healthcare facilities.
Early understanding and incorporation of code-compliant design provisions in a project is essential. This book provides healthcare design professionals--architects, engineers, and other related design professionals--with an understanding of how the International Building Code was developed, and how it is likely to be interpreted when applied to the design and construction of healthcare facilities.
Building Codes Illustrated for Healthcare Facilities features:
* A user-friendly visual format that makes finding the information you need quick and easy
* Nearly 900 illustrations, by architectural illustrator Steven Juroszek in the style of noted illustrator and author Frank Ching, that help visualize and explain the codes
* Text written by experienced experts who have been instrumental in gaining acceptance for the new unified building code
* A guide to navigating the new code plus complete coverage of all key aspects of the IBC
The newly adopted International Building Code is similar but by no means identical to the three model codes that most practitioners have used in the past. Building Codes Illustrated for Healthcare Facilities is an essential companion to the IBC for emerging practitioners seeking to master the full scope of accepted knowledge in the field, and for experienced practitioners needing to understand the similarities and differences between the familiar model codes and the new IBC.
Customer Reviews:
Very Disappointing.......2007-05-03
This book contains very little healthcare specific code information. During my first round flipping through the book, I did not manage to notice any information on healthcare code issues. Upon further inspection, I did manage to find a few healthcare related items... but nothing even close to being useful - or worth the price of the book, for that matter.
This book seems to be simply a repackaging of the book "Building Codes Illustrated," by some of the same authors - which I own as well. The table of contents for both books are nearly identical. Non of the chapters have anything healthcare related in their titles. Most of the graphics appear to be straight out of "Building Codes Illustrated" as well. The index contains more references to subjects such as "brick expansion joints," "cripple studs," and "concrete piles" than it does to anything healthcare specific. Disappointing, to say the least.
If you are looking for industry specific code information, this is NOT your book. This is an unfortunate mislabeling/retitling.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Introductory Book.......2001-03-07
This textbook doesn't assume your knowledge of anything beyond the very basic and common science information. Very clear and easily understandable writing. Excellent for home study. Great reference material.
Book Description
Completely revised, greatly expanded and updated version of the award-winning Slate Roof Bible, with 7 new chapters, over 350 color photographs of slate and slate roofs from around the world, and a total of over 600 photos, illustrations, graphs, charts, diagrams, maps, etc. Jenkins' down-home style converts potentially tedious subjects like slate geology, roof safety, tools, installation, and repairs into readable delights. The book covers slate roofing history, culture and geology, along with complete descriptions and sources of tools, equipment and types and colors of slate, and comprehensive, step-by-step instructions on every aspect of slate roof installation, repair, restoration and recycling. It also includes sections on rebuilding chimneys, on soldered seam copper roofs, and on repair and restoration of ceramic tile and asbestos tile roofs. It is the culmination of 10 years of research and travel by the author.
Customer Reviews:
pleased.......2007-08-28
excellent and very comprehensive. as a layman i feel jenkins has a knack for imparting his vast knowledge on slate roofs.
Everything you wanted to know about slate roofs but were afraid.......2007-03-31
I changed my review because it wasn't fair to the author. This is a complete book on slate roofs from mining slate to historic buildings. It is one of the few books devoted to slate roofs still in print. It tells you everything from installing to the care and repair of the roof. Slate is the most expensive roofing material, the tools are expensive, it is very difficult to find someone to repair a slate roof, and it needs to be checked/ maintained every year. Despite this, we wanted to repair our roof because it is very attractive. When I was unable to find someone to repair our roof, I went on line and found Joe Jenkins site. Later I found his book at Amazon. Although the book is complete, it is very difficult for a lay person to read though.
The Holy Grail of Slate Roof Information.......2007-02-23
Wow! This book is everything I've been looking for since I purchased a 110-year-old house with its original slate roof. I soon found out that there was virtually no one with a good working knowledge of slate rooves to be found. We are facing some fairly serious maintenance issues now and when I ran across this book, I hoped for the best. I was right. This has everything you need to work on your own roof or find someone who can, what kind of slate you have, and proper methodologies for putting down as well as repairing slate. It has an amazing breadth, and has beautiful photos of some historical slate rooves, as well as excellent line drawings of repair techniques. This book is for anyone interested in the wonderful slate roof, whether or not you own one. My husband was astonished to find that exactly what he had needed to know was now at his fingertips, with complete instructions. We've had our house for five years now, and finally feel confident about caring for our beautiful old roof.
Slate roof bible.......2007-01-12
This is simply the best book out there if you plan on doing anything with slate.
EXCELLENT Resource!.......2006-11-02
I purchsed this great book through Amazon, and was pleasantly suprised by its depth. I would highly encourage anyone who is working with or considering a slate roof to acquire this comprehensive reference!
Average customer rating:
- A comprehensive polymer physics book!
- A Decent, Instructive Book for Serious Students
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The Physics of Polymers: Concepts for Understanding Their Structures and Behavior
Gert R. Strobl
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ASIN: 3540632034 |
Book Description
Polymer Physics is one of the key lectures not only in polymer science but also in materials science. Strobl presents in his textbook the elements of polymer physics to the necessary extent in a very didactical way. His main focus lays on the concepts of polymer physics, not on theoretical aspects or mere physical methods. He has written the book in a personal style evaluating the concepts he is dealing with. Every student in polymer and materials science will be happy to have it on his shelf.
Customer Reviews:
A comprehensive polymer physics book!.......2003-01-02
This is a comprehensive polymer physics book, each chapter is well written with adequate depth of coverage. Most definitely the book one must pick to delve into dynamics, thermodynamics, scattering and crystallization, and get to the level of appreciating the complexity and beauty of current research and understanding in the field of polymer physics. Highly recommended!
A Decent, Instructive Book for Serious Students.......2001-05-26
I'm no expert on polymers, but I've been exposed to a little on the subject through my work and classes, so I picked this up on sale. The beginnings of the chapters seem informative for one who wants a soundbite rather than the full meaty treatment. On a handful of occasions I've found a few numbers and figures from the book useful.
However, this is not a book for a beginner who wants to gain a little familiarity of the subject without serious study (not like, say, Saleh and Teich's optics book, where one can pick a topic and learn a little about it). When he decides to delve into theory the derivations can only be understood by sitting down and going through them by hand. It's not that steps are skipped or any other such atrocious practice, but simply that this is a book for people working hard to understand and join the field, not outsiders who want to gain some familiarity with it.
So, I'd say it's meaty but understandable for beginners who are serious about studying polymer physics, but not for people like me who encounter polymers from time to time and would like to gain a passing familiarity with the field. Also, it seems like a good reference even for experts, with the wealth of figures and charts and numbers and derivations.
Amazon.com
Without question, the 21st century will include an increase China's global importance--a situation that is sometimes ground for optimism, sometimes fear. Despite the recent growth of interest in the region, China's political and economic nuances remain widely misunderstood. Those seeking to grasp the complexities of modern-day China will find much to admire in Understanding China, a remarkably concise, fact-filled, and fair-minded survey by Yale professor John Bryan Starr. Written for a general audience, Understanding China fills in historical context while evaluating the major issues facing the People's Republic today, from environmental degradation to exploding population growth. Bryan's conclusion: China's problems are too intractable to support the current political system for much longer. And despite the free-market accommodations of the Deng era, it's not democracy he envisions as China's most likely fate, but rather a political future controlled largely by the People's Liberation Army. It's a grim forecast, but one ably supported by the book's data and statistics.
Book Description
In this succinct, modest, and refreshingly clearheaded book, John Bryan Starr introduces to the uninitiated reader the background, the basic data, and the issues at stake in China's present, crisis-ridden present situation.
Customer Reviews:
An unusual structural approach to China studies.......2000-07-24
This book is considered an introductory overview to China. Well, I have a master's degree in East Asian studies and I still found this book enlightening. The book does an excellent job at explaining China's societal and political structures and how those structures effect the state's decisions and policies. In doing so, the author does not get much into the culture and history of the nation. In this way the book is unusual and, dare I say, unique. To some, the book may seem rather mechanical, but its structural approach serves to reduce bias and prejudice. Too many books purport to explain the entire Chinese nation culturally, but the country is simply too heterogeneous for that approach to be very effective. Other books define China as a slave to its history, but history is just one of many variables. That is why I appreciate the rather mechanical approach this book takes to explaining China's politics and society. That said, however, it might serve the newcomer to Sinology well to read other texts on Chinese culture and history as a primer to this book.
Excellent beginner insight to Chinese politics and economy.......1999-07-22
Tht book examins all levels of China's society. From problems in the economy to how problems are dealt with by the government. The author also summarizes the basic structure of the Chinese government. The range of issues dealt with in this book are an excellent beginning to further investigate China's situation.
Well-written and balanced account.......1999-05-11
Mr. Starr does a good job of covering the economics, politics, and geography of China. It is a great introduction to this developing country. Having recently spent a year in China as a teacher, I agree with most of Starr's findings. Starr demonstrates how China's economy is rapidly growing, but perhaps not fast enough to head off future problems such as food production.
Excellent Overall Picture of China Today.......1998-02-20
"Understanding China" ties together China's geography, recent history, its relationship to Taiwan and Hong Kong, its diversified population, and more, in a way which is easily comprehensible to any reader. What's more, it is thoroughly enjoyable.
Average customer rating:
- A very good book!
- Provides clear insights
- Excellent book, clearly explains MySQL internals
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Understanding MySQL Internals (Understanding)
Sasha Pachev
Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
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ASIN: 0596009577 |
Book Description
Although MySQL's source code is open in the sense of being publicly available, it's essentially closed to you if you don't understand it. In this book, Sasha Pachev -- a former member of the MySQL Development Team -- provides a comprehensive tour of MySQL 5 that shows you how to figure out the inner workings of this powerful database. You'll go right to heart of the database to learn how data structures and convenience functions operate, how to add new storage engines and configuration options, and much more.
The core of
Understanding MySQL Internals begins with an Architecture Overview that provides a brief introduction of how the different components of MySQL work together. You then learn the steps for setting up a working compilable copy of the code that you can change and test at your pleasure. Other sections of the book cover:
- Core server classes, structures, and API
- The communication protocol between the client and the server
- Configuration variables, the controls of the server; includes a tutorial on how to add your own
- Thread-based request handling -- understanding threads and how they are used in MySQL
- An overview of MySQL storage engines
- The storage engine interface for integrating third-party storage engines
- The table lock manager
- The parser and optimizer for improving MySQL's performance
- Integrating a transactional storage engine into MySQL
- The internals of replication
Understanding MySQL Internals provides unprecedented opportunities for developers, DBAs, database application programmers, IT departments, software vendors, and computer science students to learn about the inner workings of this enterprise-proven database. With this book, you will soon reach a new level of comprehension regarding database development that will enable you to accomplish your goals. It's your guide to discovering and improving a great database.
Customer Reviews:
A very good book!.......2007-08-17
Sasha knows the mysql code well, and he has done a fantastic job of presenting it. This is an important book for anyone who would like an enhanced understanding of mysql, including DBAs who might need a detailed understanding of locking or replication to. And it's a must-have for anyone working on a storage engine.
Provides clear insights.......2007-07-08
Sasha Pachev's UNDERSTANDING MYSQL INTERNALS: DISCOVERING AND IMPROVING A GREAT DATABASE provides clear insights into one of the most popular open source codes on the market. It comes from a former member of the MySQL development team, so offers the author's own insights into the program's creation and use, covering everything from communication protocols between client and server to the parser and optimizer that execute SQL commands, advantages and disadvantages of using threads, and more technical insights.
Excellent book, clearly explains MySQL internals.......2007-05-26
MySQL is assuming increased importance as an enterprise database and has become the de-facto standard with web hosting companies. A number of books have appeared in recent years, covering various aspects of MySQL. In Understanding MySQL Internals, Sasha Pachev, a MySQL-focused consultant and former member of the MySQL development team, takes us on a tour of how MySQL works and how it is built.
Starting with an overview of MySQL history and architecture, the book quickly moves us through working with the source code to build and run the product in a debugger. Drawing on his deep experience with the software, Mr. Pachev explains the coding conventions used to develop MySQL and why you should use them when modifying the software yourself.
The author delineates the different functional "modules" (a term he coined himself to better explain the database, technically speaking there are no defined modules in MySQL's architecture) of MySQL and how they interrelate. Herein lies the key to how this book teaches the reader the vast intricacy of such a complex piece of software. The author recognizes the subject is huge and the source code changing. What he does in the book is serve as our tour guide, driving us through the various areas and explaining as much relevant information as he reasonably can. He constantly illustrates key pieces of source code and data structures; but perhaps more importantly he makes reference to the actual source files utilized by each functional component of the system, while encouraging us to explore further on our own. His approach is very much "top down".
As he takes us on this tour, the author explains many of the design decisions behind the various MySQL components, often imparting the historical perspective behind them. I appreciate how, throughout the book, the author shares some of his "inside information" about MySQL's development. There is also a section where he examines the code stability of each module and speculates on what the future may hold for each module. The author's writing style is clear and easy to read. I found Understanding MySQL Internals interesting and fun, and surprisingly easy to read for a book covering such a sophisticated piece of software. The author also does a good job explaining the engineering trade-offs of different MySQL configurations. Speaking of configuration, the book shows you how to add your own configuration option to the mysqld daemon.
Chapter 7, the largest chapter in the book, is 41 pages long. It covers the MySQL storage engine interface. This chapter explains how to integrate your own custom storage engine into MySQL and contains the source code for two custom storage engine examples (one for MySQL 4.1, the other for version 5.1). You can download this source code from O'Reilly's web site. Despite this one long chapter, the book is surprising short, only 234 pages.
I believe this book has value outside of MySQL. It does a good job showing how MySQL is essentially a well designed piece of software: a high-performance, reliable Unix server. The book also touches on the multi-platform aspects of MySQL design. Those of you designing other types of server software may benefit from studying how MySQL is constructed.
This book isn't for everyone, but if you are serious about MySQL in particular or database software design in general then this title certainly deserves a look.
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