Rating: 
Summary: Best SQL Book Available
Review: After reading some of the other reviews, I have to say that I think some may be a bit harsh in their evaluations of this book. I was a complete beginner when I found this book, and found it extremely helpful because I worked through it by simply 'reading' the text and looking at the examples (and yes there are some mistakes!). However, being someone that has a background in accounting not computer science, I was satisfied with this approach. I have now graduated to more advanced intermediate texts.This text is very good at explaining the basics of SQL queries, and relational databases.
Rating: 
Summary: I was a beginner and LOVED this book!
Review: After reading some of the other reviews, I have to say that I think some may be a bit harsh in their evaluations of this book. I was a complete beginner when I found this book, and found it extremely helpful because I worked through it by simply 'reading' the text and looking at the examples (and yes there are some mistakes!). However, being someone that has a background in accounting not computer science, I was satisfied with this approach. I have now graduated to more advanced intermediate texts. This text is very good at explaining the basics of SQL queries, and relational databases.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book to start with.
Review: I have no prior knowledge of SQL and only a fair idea of what databases can do. If you want to start learning the very basic fundamentals of SQL this is a good start. If you have no clue about databases you may want to look else where first, then come back to this book. A lot of space is wasted reminding the reader to check your documentation for the correct syntax since there are several flavors of SQL. Some of the examples seem to be very repetative. Overall, I have a good idea of what I can do with SQL and now it is which way to go, Oracle or Transact-SQL. If you have some SQL knowledge this may be too basic to be worth the time. I did finish the book in less than 21 hours.
Rating:
Summary: Good book to start with.
Review: I have no prior knowledge of SQL and only a fair idea of what databases can do. If you want to start learning the very basic fundamentals of SQL this is a good start. If you have no clue about databases you may want to look else where first, then come back to this book. A lot of space is wasted reminding the reader to check your documentation for the correct syntax since there are several flavors of SQL. Some of the examples seem to be very repetative. Overall, I have a good idea of what I can do with SQL and now it is which way to go, Oracle or Transact-SQL. If you have some SQL knowledge this may be too basic to be worth the time. I did finish the book in less than 21 hours.
Rating:
Summary: No Peer(.)
Review: I use(d) this book as the basis towards my WIN2K MCDBA...It is superior to anything out there including Microsoft's Official MCSE [Exam 70-228] SQL Server 2000 SA Training Kit... includes everything one needs assuming one immerses oneself in the book from Day 1 through Day 21 in addition to Day 22 (SQL Server Analysis Services (OLAP)) and Day 23 (English Query).It is both a superior reference book and programmer's guide. After purchasing Microsoft's official references I found myself repeatedly (frustrated by their shortcomings and referring back to this particular SAMS text). Enough cannot be said about this book.
Rating: 
Summary: extremely disappointing
Review: I'd had some brief exposure to databases and started working through this book when my supervisor suggested I take a crash course on SQL to prepare for upcoming projects. After working through the first 6 days, I'd had enough and switched to a reference book - SQL : The Complete Reference - and was able to get a much better understanding for the time spent. The main problem was that it never got around to explaining the basic principles - instead it tried to teach by presenting examples. As a result, the reader does not end up with a good fundamental understanding of the subject. It appeared that this book was aimed at a total beginner as a simple introduction, but I'd recommend it to no one, no matter what level you're at. If you're going to spend any time, get something better. I didn't do any comparisons for an alternative - I just pulled the SQL Complete Reference book off my boss's shelf. I certainly wouldn't recommend that one for a novice, but there's got to be something better out there.
Rating:
Summary: SQL
Review: I've read this book at my work. So useful information for understanding SQL as a Language. SQL makes an RDBMS possible.
Rating:
Summary: Best SQL Book Available
Review: I've used (bought) through about 120 Database books. I've worked though about 30 SQL Books(over 8 years). This is the best introductory book on SQL available. The bad reviewers are ignorant of how to use that glowing box thing called a computer(they can't find the available class files...)
The book is clear, explains the statements and gives specific examples. I work through database books for my job, and I can tell you 90 out of 100 are horrid, this is one of the less than 10% that is worth the time and money...
Rating:
Summary: I Returned this Book
Review: One would expect that a text that teaches you SQL would have at the very least, links to the SQL that creates and populates the tables you are going to learn against. The inclusion of the appendix with all those Create and Insert statements in the back is like a slap in the face. You can learn SQL in 21 Days, but you have to create and populate the tables first. If you aren't using Oracle, then we are sorry that not all of these statements will work. I cannot recommend a book that doesn't even acknowledge it's audience is actually learning SQL and doesn't care to type out 15 pages of SQL statements before they can really start Day 1. Go for "Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes" it costs less and has the scripts available for download.
Rating:
Summary: I Returned this Book
Review: One would expect that a text that teaches you SQL would have at the very least, links to the SQL that creates and populates the tables you are going to learn against. The inclusion of the appendix with all those Create and Insert statements in the back is like a slap in the face. You can learn SQL in 21 Days, but you have to create and populate the tables first. If you aren't using Oracle, then we are sorry that not all of these statements will work. I cannot recommend a book that doesn't even acknowledge it's audience is actually learning SQL and doesn't care to type out 15 pages of SQL statements before they can really start Day 1. Go for "Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes" it costs less and has the scripts available for download.
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