This book is the first O'Reilly book that has disappointed me. A normal O'Reilly book is short and to the point, while this book is tedious and far too long.

The book is full of blablabla like the following:

'Stored procedures are to programmers what steriods are to many bodybuilders; you don't get anywhere without them. Once you acknowledge this, you need to learn how to abuse them as much as they abuse you.' (p 437)

The book does contain useful information but it is a pain to anything of worth in it unless you share the authors sense of humour. If you haven't bought the book I suggest that you find another.