Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, a little bit old (in NO way obsolete!) book
Review: It's just a gift of heaven (and O'Reilly) for any Linux device driver writer. You can find everything you need to know about device driver basics there, in a 'user-friendly' form. Sample code is also included. You'll find there explanation of all file operations, structures and useful functions used by device drivers (character, block and network). In addition, there are hints concerning some tricky things (such as ISA autoprobing), and they are sharpened for Linux!What this book really lacks, is 1) Explanation of Linux rules for writing one's own standard (such as Video for Linux), or at least advice for how to do it. There are way too few pure character devices for the question of standartization to be ignored, IMHO! 2) New 2.2.* kernel features. If you are seeking for detailed and exact explanation of the functions of _THESE_ kernels, this is not your book. So, Alessandro, we are all waiting for a second edition!
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Summary: Must read this!
Review: Not alot of materials covering the kernel; This book is good 4 newbies like me. I must admit this book is hard 2 understand but my curiosity/stubbornez kept me going...
Rating:
Summary: excellent book
Review: the book is very good... takes from basics to internal kernel stuff
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on a difficult subject
Review: There are very few published sources of info on writing device drivers for any UNIX-like operating system. Plus, the details vary from system to system. By concentrating on Linux, this book is able to give very concrete examples. It also cuts the Gordian Knot that has prevented people from writing this kind of book: the number of potential readers for a book on, say, IRIX devices drivers is quite small, whereas a book on Linux device drivers has a very wide potential readership. And the things you learn here will be very useful in writing device drivers for any other UNIX-like operating system. Did I mention that the author tackles the thorny issues, like trying to auto-discover ISA devices?
Rating:
Summary: The best-written introduction to the Linux kernel
Review: This book is a must-have if you want to write your own device drivers for Linux, or if you just need a place to get started hacking the kernel. All the basics are covered and you really don't need to know much about the kernel internals to read this book. If you're not a beginner it still contains valuable information and it's organized in a way to make it very easy to skip the areas you are already familiar with. After a few chapters you'll be able to write your own driver from scratch. When you have read the whole book you'll also be familiar with some of the more complex concepts of kernel programming. You will not be an expert kernel hacker but you will have an excellent base for learning more yourself. The only drawback is that it doesn't completely cover the newer kernels (2.2 and above), but although some details have changed, most of the concepts are still more or less the same, so the knowledge you gain can easily be adapted to the later versions.
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Summary: Technical and Enjoyable?
Review: This book is not only a well structured, comprehensive, easy to understand reference, it was really enjoyable to read. Kudos to the author for making this subject interesting.
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Summary: Execellent device-driver reference
Review: This book's #1 audience is the Unix device-driver writer who wants to understand how Linux's kernel, interfaces, and data structures work. #2 comes the journeyman software engineer who wants to look "below" the application layer, toward creating more efficient programs. There are clear, *working* examples throughout the book. Each chapter builds on the previous one. Complex issues come late in the book, after the reader has had time to build a framework for understanding.
Rating: 
Summary: Good general, if rather intel specific, guide
Review: This is a good book - and I joined the Linux kernel immortals by writing a driver for a previously unsupported device based on it. But it does have a few flaws.
Firstly, it is pretty much Intel (ix86) specific - other processors are mentioned in passing.
Secondly it doesn't deal with the real world of Linux devices (ie where the manufacturer has told you little or nothing).
And thirdly, it never quite goes far enough in exploring the difficult issues - I thought this was the case with IRQ handling especially.
But, all in all, the best on offer and well worth buying.
Rating:
Summary: A good book, if you know what your doing
Review: This is a great book for understanding drivers and the Linux kernel internals, but only if you have a strong assembly/C background and know PC hardware. I found myself checking other books on programming often to understand the content of this book.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for writing drivers and understanding the kernel
Review: This is Alessandro Rubini at it's peak, he describes the functionnality of modules and the kernel. How modules should be written and what to/not-to do. A reference and also a tutorial at the same time. If you understand C/C++ and you are adapting linux for some special hard, this is a must-have.
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