The book covers a topic (like creating tables) in the general (SQL99) and then in the specific (by database). This would make the book an excellent resource if implemented well. Unfortunately the actual result is a disjointed and inconsistent treatment of the variations between databases. Even worse, when a subsection specifically named for a particular database comes up, examples for other databases get sprinkled in the mix.
It ended up being very difficult to find the exact syntax needed for the database I was using. I started to copy/modify an example only to find that it was a MySQL example right smack in the middle of a section named for PostgreSQL. At the very least, a new subsection header called "examples" would help tremendously.
While I was turned on to a few concepts of which I was previously unaware due to my lack of familiarity with a wide variety of database products, I still ended up just sifting through the online documentation of the database I was working on and printing out the syntax-related highlights. This was precisely what I was trying to avoid when I bought the "Nutshell" book.
As a final gripe, while the back cover states that the book covers PostgreSQL 7.0, the first chapter goes on to state that the reviewed version of PostgreSQL is 6.5. I bought the book based upon the table of contents, the description on the back cover, and the good name of O'reilly. I was sorely disappointed with my investment.
I look forward to a (much needed) second edition that demonstrates a great deal more care. A good cross-implementation reference is a much needed resource, but this effort does little to solve that.
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