Rating: 
Summary: An pretty good introduction to networks (Refers to 3rd ed.)
Review: This book is a classic textbook introduction to computer networks. It is targeted at readers with some programming experience but no knowledge about networks. The book is primarily theoretical so don't expect it to give you tips and tricks when setting up home networks or helping you much in your work as a system administrator (if you have such a job, that is). The book begins by explaining the basics of a network protocol stack, and with OSI protocol structure in mind and with TCP/IP as a case study each chapter covers the problems and issues with each of the protocol layers. This structure seems very good to me and gives a natural progression from the low-level hardware-near protocals layers to the higher-level abstract protocol layers. The book is pretty old by now (from 1996) and much has happened within networking since then but almost everything that this book covers are still true today. Afterall, the underlying ideas by networks and all the main protocols are still the same as it was then. It would have been nice if it had covered newer stuff, such as DSL and cable networks, but I don't know any books that do that properly, so in lack of better books this one is fine. If you have read any other books by Tanenbaum you know what to expect from this one. He sometimes use a lot of words - more than is strictly neccesary but the result is not a book with a lot of empty talk. It just makes the book more easy to read because the important information is given to you slowly. So all in all this book is pretty good. It could have been better, maybe a little more pratically oriented, and more up to date, but it is nonetheless still a good book.
Rating:
Summary: Good summary of networking circa 2002.
Review: For those of you interested in a lucid summary of the principles of networking. Tanenbaum summarises well the concepts behind the Internet Protocol, and the various stacks/layers. This is an easy book to shed some light onto topical buzzwords like CDMA, CSMA, TCP/IP, 802.11b (WiFi), 802.15, 3G, WAP, broadband wireless, i-mode... He gives enough details that can be understood by a reader with the equivalent of a sophomore level in science or engineering. The amount of maths needed is minimal. Some calculus and Fourier analysis and simple probability theory. Each chapter has an extensive problem set. My only quibble is that perhaps the problems could have been harder. A lot are simple plug-into-equation types.
Rating: 
Summary: A New Edition is Out
Review: This is the classic book in Computer Networking but a new edition is out and you should get that one. It is ISBN number 0130661023, so search on that!
Rating:
Summary: Welcome to the 4th Edition
Review: I'm going to buy this because I learnt so much from the 3rd edition. The book works systematically through the various layers of the network stack and presents the major services and issues which occur at each layer. The emphasis is theoretical - but in a very practical sense: Tanenbaum explains the major principles which any competent network engineer must rely on for implementation and configuration. This book contains an enormous amount of information on a complex subject. While Tanenbaum makes every effort to present it clearly, it still requires study. This is no 'Become a network guru in 15 mins' type of book, and you won't find details about how to configure Windows or Linux networking. However, it will give you the background to understand what you are doing and why, and give you the insight needed to solve practical problems. A reviewer below complains that the previous edition of the book came out in 1996. Well sir, here's its replacement - now what's the problem??? I found it a very clear, very easy read. Where its difficult going is where the material itself is involved - so you do have make some effort. Tanenbaum has prepared an excellent meal - just don't expect him to spoonfeed you as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Used to be great
Review: This classic book was recommended as the main book during my university days 15 years ago. I have read a lot of networking books in the past eg.stalling, minasi, douglas comers, tanenbaum etc. The strong points of this book are that it is comprehensive and broad. I have several complains though. 1. The author does not know how to express ideas in a clear manner. Sometimes he does talk "greek". 2. While the book organization based on the network layers is the right idea but the suborganization within each layer is quite disorderly. I have trouble understanding where this concept fits in the whole picture and how many subgroups there are. 3. This book is outdated ie. published in 1996. I have picked up the best networking book I have ever seen which solves all my complains above. Look at "Data communications and networking" by forouzan, publisher:mcgraw-hill and you will know what I mean. Forouzan's book may not have as great a cover as the one from tanenbaum but as the saying goes "don't judge a book by its cover". Forouzan's book may not be as comprehensive as tanenbaum but it still is fairly comprehensive and definitely easier to read ! I wished somebody had recommended me a better book during my university days.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book for Development of Core Networking Acumen
Review: This book is written in very clear, consise terms and is the best book to my knowledge, that provides a comprehensive set of all of the core networking fundamentals. Great book, especially for those who think they know it all, as well as those eager to learn.
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Summary: Long Winded Book!!!!!!
Review: Granted this is good book on the theory behind networking. But there needs to be some kind of companion book with this. THis book is long winded and the author takes three paragraphs to give the definition for something that should only take one. This book is horrible if you are a novice to Networking..you will be thrown in a loop and wont get out. My professor insists on using this book in her Networking class......both of my thumbs are down. Her teaching is like greek and the book is like chinese..so there is just no common ground. To learn networking in the theorectical aspect should not be this difficult!
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe for fast reading
Review: This book seems to be fine if you only want to read it as an introduction, and never use the small details there.
It has many mistakes in it, and the application layer chapter is outdated and wrong.
Try to read any of the chapters anywhere else (like the Kurose & Ross book), and you'll see what I mean.
Rating:
Summary: Covers Broad Topic Range
Review: This book covers a broad topic range. Being assigned this book for the networking course that I took at my university, I was surprised about how much we would have to cover in the class. Fortunately, it wasn't as tortorous as I had imagined. We wern't assigned to read the entire book but I did it just so I could get a better understanding of networking. I can't say I picked up every single concept of networking but I did understand a good majority of the material presented. The author discusses the different protocols and the advantages/disadvantages of their usages. A few things such as network topologies including when and why they should be used. TCP and UDP protocols and how they work also was mentioned. The book then moves onto encryption which is what I found most interesting. You can learn about cryptography and how different algorithms exist out there to secure oneself from potential eavesdropping. Granted, is not up to date but considering it's time and when it was published, the author did a good job. There won't be a HUGE shift in networking so he does have time to add more information on wireless protocols and Voice over IP etc. Overall, great book even though it's not something that someone could pick up over night.
Rating:
Summary: excellent overview
Review: very well written overview of Computer networks. Possibly the best out there.
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