I've been reading as much as I can about Linux over the last month, but I'm not sure I have the sixty bucks or the time to go through that much material. Sounds like a great reference book, though. I'm putting it on my list. Sounds like something I could use.
Is it just me, or over the last ten years or so computer books have become these huge everything-but-the-kitchen-sink monsters? I was reading a book last week -- it wasn't so good -- when I realized the author had just taken the API spec, made an outline, and then fluffed up the content with lots of sample code, tables, and lists. Made for a great encyclopedia, but not much in thee way of I'll-hold-your-hand-while-you-learn-this.
While it seems like programming books are sold by weight, these days, it makes a certain amount of sense for a book like this (or Steven's _Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment_) - it's a detailed reference for Unix's rather large API. It'd probably be better in multiple volumes, though.
There are some good, short programming books. (Many of them were co-written by Brian Kernighan.)
As a reference book, I would much rather have a physical copy than have to piss around with the electronic version. An ebook might be nice as a backup for travel, but I would mostly be referencing this in my office anyway.
Even as a reference book, I find the ability to read it on my cellphone useful. I've can either waste my 10 minute light rail ride browsing pics.reddit.copm or I can learn the existence of a few system calls that might be useful someday.
The sample chapters look great, and given the creator I'm sure the book is amazing. Unfortunately, I don't have $60 to spend right now on it. I'm saving the link though for when I do.
Saw that (but thanks), wondering if anybody here has both and could expand on it. I have and love APUE, especially since it isn't Linux-specific. To what extent would TLPI be relevant for (say) BSD?
I think $60 is quite reasonable for a book of this scope and size - certainly if it lives up to the reviews I read, particularly jgrahamc's. I'm surprised it's not closer to $100 - the market for this book is small and it's quite large, even for a technical book.
