Rating: 
Summary: Really good reference
Review: I have always liked many of New Riders books, and have often felt that they were the dark-horse of the technical publishing industry (especially Python Essential Reference).My project leader recommended this book to me, and I've kept it handy during the past few weeks (we're involved in a SQL project). The examples are clear (although I did spot 2 errors, but they were just typos), and the concepts are explained just enough to get you going. The thing I like most about this book is that it doesnt spend page after page going over basic concepts. It presents things in a very tight and orderly way - giving you just enough to information and then moves on. It's perfect for when you already know what the basic concepts of relational (SQL) databases, but just need to find out how they operate in PostgreSQL. The only thing I think they could improve would be on the sections related to the C++ API. That section felt a little light, but luckily I didnt require C++ in this project. Overall though, this is a great reference to keep handy while building and tuning your databases.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Intro
Review: I have no previous Postgres experience, but the book did allow me to accomplish what I needed to do. I believe this will make a good reference book, as the title states, but has to be lacking on more advanced issue. So all in all I would recommend this to a new or novice postgres user.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for a SQL newbie; excellent for anyone using PostgreSQL
Review: I have to admit, I had never used PG before reading this book. I had mostly used MySQL and other RDBMS', and I have a firm grasp of ANSI 92 SQL. This book has everything, from how to setup PG to administration, to the best function index I have seen yet in a DB book. Like every other NewRider book, the book isn't 1000+ pages and 5lbs, but there's NO fluff. If you use PG, this book better be on your desk, open.
Rating: 
Summary: Errata please
Review: I wanted so much to like this book. New Riders did a fantastic job with their Python reference. Having read the positive reviews here I expected no less. What a surprise! My personal feeling is that I deserve a full refund for this book. My habit is to read even the most dry books from cover to cover. I did the same with this. I read every word. I wish I hadn't. The typos were egregious. It may be too generous to call them typos. I went to the web looking for errata... alas nothing. Be aware that as a reference this book is not trustworthy. New Riders should be ashamed of themselves. How difficult is it *at least* to test the examples? Several times I almost put the book down in disgust only to convince myself that the rest would be better. No dice... I found significant errors on almost every second or third page... and I'm supposedly new to Postgres. This book was rushed and it shows. Hopefully they'll clean it up and release a second edition. In the meantime, editors, please put a web site up with errata. You owe us that much. Thx.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: I'm just starting using of PostgreSQL in a WWW project and
have found this book very helpful to me. Being administrator
and developer simultaneously, I've gathered many information
on both subjects. Author gives many recipes on how to optimize performance
of your programs, how to create and use indices, functions
(both standard and created by user in several programming
languages), This book contains many information you won't be able to find
in PostgreSQL's documentation. There's complete reference for
standard functions, types and SQL operators with excellent
examples. This book has special chapter that describes advantages and
lacks PostgreSQL in comparison with other RDBMSs.
After reading this chapter I've become stronger in opinion
that PostgreSQL is the best RDBMS (at least among free ones). So, if you're using PostgreSQL (in any case - either as
administrator or as developer), "PostgreSQL essential reference"
by Barry Stinson will be excellent addition (and replacement in
many topics) for standard PostgreSQL's documentation.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best out there.....
Review: I've been looking for a good reference book for PostgreSQL for some time now...finally one has been published! Most of the other books out there are either for the complete database novice -- or are too specialized. This book fills a very much needed void in the documentation for PG-SQL. It is clear and to the point, with plenty of examples of how to use specific commands. Overall, it is well worth the money if you have been put in charge administrating or developing a PG-SQL database. The section on 'Backup and Restore' alone has already saved me untold amounts of headache. Very good value in getting this book and I happily recommend it to anyone who needs to use PostgreSQL in a production environment. -Doug
Rating:
Summary: Very Helpful Book!
Review: I've owned this book and another PostgreSQL book for the past month, and I find myself keeping this one very close to the computer. The writing is clear and the book provides just enough information to be useful in almost all settings, but not so verbose that you get side-tracked or confused about how to accomplish something. Mainly, I would suggest this book to those who already have SQL database experience (I'm using PostgreSQL for my first project, having come from MS SQL and Interbase background) Although some of the examples are a bit terse, I love the fact that so much is covered in such a small book ;) Particularly, I think the discussions of Triggers Vs. Rules was worth the price of the book for me. Already, I've been creating complex rule-sets and triggers with only a few weeks of use. It really highlights the features of PostgreSQL very well.
Rating:
Summary: Clear and concise information
Review: The book fits the intention printed on its back cover very well: It has
clear and concise information which is facilitated by a clear structure
of the text. For instance the strict usage of paragraphs named:
Usage, Description, Input(s), Output(s), Notes, SQL-92 Compatibility, Example
for each item of the SQL reference gives a quick access to the important
information. Regarding myself as a beginner in database programming I consider the
book as valuable to cope with all sort of PostgreSQL (and perhaps other
SQL databases regarding to the SQL part) problems. While I had a look
into Bruce Momjian's "PostgreSQL: Introduction and Concepts" I needed
a clear reference and so it fits my needs to have useful information
quick and handy. Being a Debian developer I'm missing hints to the third "common form
of PostgreSQL installation" besides source and RPM. I guess the author
knows that Debian installs so smoothly that no comment is required :).
Rating:
Summary: For everyday's PostgreSQL users
Review: The book has done its job pretty well. It's for everyday's life of PostgreSQL users, and especially me that's just started to work on this DB. It covers almost everything about this exceptional open-source database. You'll never need another book. However, one thing I think I need more from it is "database performance tuning" issue. It touches on some of that stuff, but in the real world, if you're running a more or less stressful db, then this issue is critical.
Rating:
Summary: The title say it all
Review: The title say it all.
This is a Great Essential Reference to PostgreSQL and I recommend it as a Must book to all PostgreSQL user. Each page has its own gems like how to tune the server, Create functions and more.
Every Quick browse I learn something, And I like it :)
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