Rating: 

This book is meant, as its subtitle states, as a "desktop quick reference", and indeed, its strengths are the ease of reference and the handy comparison among the SQL-99 and vendor implementations. There are weaknesses to the book, such as when researching a particular statement, the description and statement can appear quite cryptic at times. But in spite of its uneven quality, and because of the fact of a multi-database world, this reference is a serviceable addition to anyone's library.