This book aims to be an easy-to-digest introduction to the major Java Enterprise APIs, and to provide a state-of-the-nation on the current implementers and suppliers of associated tools and products.

The structure of the book is very appealing. Each Enterprise API is split into three chapters - an overview, a tutorial, and a non- trivial sample application using the API. This approach makes the same book useful for managers, developers and all shades in-between. The APIs covered include JDBC, JNDI, Servlets and JSPs. Enterprise JavaBeans get extensive cover, and it is clear the authors value them as the most important aspect of Java Enterprise computing. There is also some useful introductory material to Java Messaging and Java Transaction Services. The authors have also kindly included two medium scale (2000 and 5000 line) applications utilising the discussed technologies. The only hole in the subject matter is the lack of discussion on CORBA. The authors point out that the subject is large and has been covered adequately in other books, but I feel at least a chapter would have been useful for comparison with the other technologies presented here.

A CD comes with the book that includes the Java Servlet development kit, and BEA's Weblogic Application Server. Where the authors haven't supplied trialware they have supplied copious links for the reader.

Overall, this is a superb book. Any group thinking of moving to Java server programming should have a copy of this in their office. Recommended.