Steven has consistently written excellent descriptions of how to use PLSQL well. His weak point has always been good examples. Scott Urman's book on the other hand has good examples. I usually reach for Scott's book first and then consult Steven's for an alternate view - they usually complement each other. In this latest book, Steven has thrown his mediocre examples away in favor of weaving offensive political rubbish into his book in the form of examples.

I am loath to understand how O'Reilly would choose to endorse this political crap in a book they market as teaching the feature set of Oracle 8i. Steven has every right to flaunt his anti-NATO, anti-democracy, anti-gun, pro-communist views on his web site, where we could expect it. I've read his web sight and find it amusing but in context, appropriate. On the other hand, I have come to expect Nutshell computer books from O'Reilly to be chock full of insight into how to create and use computer systems and not attempt to foment revolutionary political extremism.

Steven's recent books have all had co-authors; perhaps no one cared to join in his Quixotic quest on this one.