Rating: 
Summary: Nicely Balanced Introduction
Review: This is surely the best book on fiber optics networks. It's that rarity - an accessible academic book which doesn't ignore the practical side of things either. Therefore it is useful both as a textbook as well as a refresher for professionals.
We studied the draft of this book in a course in the Indian Institute of Science in 1997 conducted by Professor K.N.Sivarajan, one of authors and a world-wide authority on the subject. It was an enjoyable course,and we felt that we were truly studying the latest technology - in fact, even some of the future technology, since the book included architectures that hadn't been built yet(ie conceptual architectures)!
Later on, as a professional systems engineer i worked in a team writing firmware for a SONET based product,and this book was much admired by my colleagues as well.
This book has all the basic scientific and engineering concepts and considerations involved in understanding and designing fiber optic networks. The treatment is mathematical and the writing is lucid.Towards the later part, there are detailed case studies that will be truly helpful for the professionals designing their own networks.
Since it was writen almost 4 years ago, it cannot have all the latest information is this rapidly expanding field - but for a sound, balanced introduction to the fundamentals, this is your book.
Rating: 
Summary: It needs UPDATE!
Review: This was a very nice book, however, written in 1997. In a rapid progressive space like optical network, this book quickly fells into legacy and can only be rendered as college entry-level textbook in said subject. Many new initiatives and tests have been launches and reviewed. Even Rajiv's new exciting micro-mirror technology (of Xeros) is not covered, not mentioning tunable laser application in mesh architecture. It was a five-star book until mid-1999. In spring 2000, I can only give a honost three-star rating as an encouragement for the author to update his book. It is overdue!
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