Rating: 
Summary: fails in two respects
Review: it's not just that this book is a poor study aid for OCP testing. the fact is, oracle determines what it feels the most important new features are in a given release. this book, doesn't match up with that list in the way that it should. obviously, the most important new features for each user of oracle will be different for each case. for example, where i work the XML additions are huge, but i could care less about RAC. but regardless of that, oracle determines what it feels the most important new feature are. it then sets up an outline for its OCP testing based on that list. i expected this book to closely follow those features specifically - it does not.
i also must say the limited humor offered by this book is unfunny and at time quite off. consider this sample from the section on list partitoning: "we opened a store in berkely... we got tired of the nep-marxists demanding we stock posters of lenin and stalin, so we closed the store" if I wanted to hear partisan politic humor there are plenty of books out there by folks like limbaugh, moore, coulter, franken, etc. i need to learn oracle, not hear about how the author feels berkely is full of neo-marxists. please.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Have
Review: Oracle 9i database is a completely new beast from Auto Undo Management and Flashback Query to External Tables and Full Outer Joins. This book is a great mid to high level introduction to all the new features in the 9i database. The author's style is concise and easily understandable. Lots of examples help with grasping the concepts. This book is a must have for the experienced 8 or 8i DBA who is looking to bring 9i into his shop.
Rating:
Summary: Very good book
Review: Robert has done the Business. I am a keen member of Revealnet and I must admit I had never heard of Mr Freeman before then. I am Fully OCP in 7/8/8i and this book is exactly what I needed for my upgrade. The book covers all the new features and hits the nail on the head. A must for all DBAs (both Junior and senior). Cant wait to see his next book.
Rating:
Summary: A clear and concise book about such a complex topic.
Review: So far the best book I have read while moving from one version of Oracle database to another. I started with Oracle 6. I agree with all previous reviews. The book has zero extra fat. Covers many important new features in Oracle 9i (as one reviewer has already mentioned 9i is a completely new database version) with brief examples. Some less important topics got only cursory coverage. The book is a must read for all experienced Oracle DBA's who are familiar with Oracle 8i.
Rating: 
Summary: not for use as a study guide for ocp upgrade
Review: the book covers a broad range of topics but is not a good ref for the ocp upgrade exam.
Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: The book doesn't cover even 70% of all 9i New Features.
More over - for that 70% it's just a reference, so you can't use it neither as a help for preparing to upgrade exam nor as DBA handbook.
Rating: 
Summary: Not sufficient for 9i upgrade exam, a good start towards 9i
Review: This book is a good overview of Oracle 9i new features but if you want to pass the 9i upgrade exam this book will not be sufficient and you will need to go back to full reference manual.
Rating:
Summary: Great overview of 9i features
Review: This book is an excellent overview of the Oracle 9i new features. I would recommend this to DBAs, programmers and the like who would like a concise, high-level overview of the numerous features available in 9i without getting so far into the details that it becomes burdensome to read (that's what manuals are for.)
Some of the new features were missing and there were a few mistakes, but I was able to pass the 9i upgrade exam using this book and the SelfTest software. Overall a worthwhile book (the only book as far as I know) for an introduction to the new features of 9i.
Rating:
Summary: Good for someone with strong database backgroud........
Review: This book is good for someone with strong Oracle background. If you are a starter and want to get familiar with Oracle 9i then you are better off purchasing Oracle 9i DBA Handbook. You must know all features of Oracle 8i before even thinking about buying this book. Examples and contents in this book are explained very well. I will give this book 4 stars ...
Rating:
Summary: A must buy for the Oracle DBA
Review: This book is one of the best Oracle Press books I have purchased. This book is clear, concise, and has very few errors. Other books from Oracle can have pages of fluff with long-winded examples; this book tells you what you need to know about 9i. I purchased this book solely to pass the 9i New Features OCP exam. Most of the questions on the test are covered well by the author. This book will also make a great reference for future use.
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