Rating: 
Summary: Scientific, Enjoyable and Extremely useful
Review: I was an Electronic Engineer (more precisely Avionics Engineer) before getting inserted into the world of computers. With this in mind, I felt this book talks to a scientific mind, and yet in a very nice and enjoyable language. It is a joy to read in both senses, entertainment and subject mastering.Many books show you how to create a database. This book insists on making you properly UNDERSTAND what it's all about. Buy this book if you are REALLY serious about understanding Relational Database phylosophy and designing relational databases the right way. One thing about this book that made me feel bad, though. It's too cheap for what it's really worth.
Rating:
Summary: DEMYSTIFIES RELATIONAL DATABASE
Review: If you want to learn the essentials of relational database theory, this is the book. The authors did a superb job of explaining the concepts and avoiding jargon that muddles up clear understanding, especially for beginners. I admit that I flinched at the price tag for a small paperback book, but I read other reader's praise of the book and I am extremely happy that I purchased and digested the material. I read it an hour or two every day for 2 weeks. Believe it or not it bordered on being "light fun reading". Don't know too many useful computer books that I would describe as such. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!!
Rating:
Summary: A staggeringly good read
Review: If you're about to start designing relational databases....read this book first. If you've already written & rolled-out your first applications and are feeling pretty smug that everything is going well so far....read this book now. This book can actually be read without being anywhere near a PC. It will provide a solid grounding in the fundamentals of database design and could save you much heartache later on. At the price, it represents a major bargain. David Reynolds
Rating: 
Summary: Inside Relational Databases
Review: Inside Relational Databases is an excellent introduction to the topic and a very good resource. I read the book cover to cover and found the authors' insights helpful and rather clever. I had taken a database building course in college and this book not only reintroduced me to the subject but enhanced the design skills I thought I had kept sharp. I recomend this book to anybody looking for material on relational databases. It is very well written with the reader's interests in mind. The authors' sense of humor shows well without making light of the subject. I have rated this book with a well deserved, in my mind, five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction and Resource
Review: Inside Relational Databases is an excellent introduction to the topic and a very good resource. I read the book cover to cover and found the authors' insights helpful and rather clever. I had taken a database building course in college and this book not only reintroduced me to the subject but enhanced the design skills I thought I had kept sharp. I recomend this book to anybody looking for material on relational databases. It is very well written with the reader's interests in mind. The authors' sense of humor shows well without making light of the subject. I have rated this book with a well deserved, in my mind, five stars.
Rating:
Summary: What you MUST know about relational databases.
Review: Inside Relational Databases will teach the newcomer to Access or relational databases in general, the theory needed to design and develop applications in the most efficient and professional manner. All those theoretical questions you are asking yourself when programming in Access will suddenly be answered, and you find yourself more confident and inspired to develop the best application possible now that you passed this hurdle; at least I did. The first 3 parts of the book will teach you the relational database model supported by examples on the enclosed CD-ROM. These examples are not to be used as "cut & paste" into your own application, but designed to turn theory into reality easy to grasp! The last part consists of standalone chapters covering essential subjects related to database theory and design, like: Normalization, SQL, Queries and Codd's Rules You will not find another computer book on Access and relational database theory and design, or any other subject for that matter, which makes use of such clear language. I have read the book cover to cover several times, and I am still impressed. Which makes me ask if we, the readers and buyers of computer books, quietly and wrongly accept badly written books filled with errors and poor language? If I were asked to make a list of suggested readings for Access and database developers, this would be No. 1.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent basis for Relational Database knowledge
Review: Man, I wish I had this book YEARS ago! Clear, concise writing style (Its obvious that the author's years of writing articles for magazines has enabled him to develop a style that gets right to the point and leaves nothing to chance.) As an English major, I appreciate good writing, and I loathe being 'babied' or any implication that I'm a "DUMMY" for reading these kinds of books. However, I'm enough of a techie to get bored easily and this book kept me on my toes and eager to practice this newfound knowledge. I'm going to check out the Access book also authored by these gents and hopefully, I'll be on my way to being a professional database guy! Thanks!
Rating:
Summary: A Database book for the rest of us
Review: New to database theory myself, a search for "database design" produced an overwhelming response of choices within Amazon's search engine. After about a week of reading reviews, I chose this book. Dr. Whitehorn de-mystifies database design and theory using straightforward examples and explanations. I cannot emphasize enough that this book lays down fundamental concepts for beginners; he goes to some lengths to make the "jargon" of database designers accessible to all people interested in developing a relational database. Coupled with Michael Hernandez's book "Database Design for Mere Mortals," this book elegantly moves through the phases of design and beautifully complements Hernandez's book: "Inside Relational Databases" is about the structure of the database (assuming you've already done the majority of the "footwork" as described in Hernandez's book.) [It's pretty obvious that I'd recommend both of these books--just read their reviews and you'll see what I mean.] I would strongly recommend reading this book PRIOR to buying a bunch of how-to books related to your particular Relational Database Management Software. If you know how to do it without the software, you will have put the horse before the cart. I personally love a book that assumes I'm not a complete idiot (thus I don't like those "...for Dummies" books,) with less than 300-400 pages, whose author is an authority on the subject (Bill Marklyn--the co-author--oversaw the design and creation of MS Access!), where there's not too much sarcasm and "personality" put into the work, and where I can learn with only a little effort! This is my book! I hope it can be a good learning tool for you as well.
Rating:
Summary: A Database book for the rest of us
Review: New to database theory myself, a search for "database design" produced an overwhelming response of choices within Amazon's search engine. After about a week of reading reviews, I chose this book. Dr. Whitehorn de-mystifies database design and theory using straightforward examples and explanations. I cannot emphasize enough that this book lays down fundamental concepts for beginners; he goes to some lengths to make the "jargon" of database designers accessible to all people interested in developing a relational database. Coupled with Michael Hernandez's book "Database Design for Mere Mortals," this book elegantly moves through the phases of design and beautifully complements Hernandez's book: "Inside Relational Databases" is about the structure of the database (assuming you've already done the majority of the "footwork" as described in Hernandez's book.) [It's pretty obvious that I'd recommend both of these books--just read their reviews and you'll see what I mean.] I would strongly recommend reading this book PRIOR to buying a bunch of how-to books related to your particular Relational Database Management Software. If you know how to do it without the software, you will have put the horse before the cart. I personally love a book that assumes I'm not a complete idiot (thus I don't like those "...for Dummies" books,) with less than 300-400 pages, whose author is an authority on the subject (Bill Marklyn--the co-author--oversaw the design and creation of MS Access!), where there's not too much sarcasm and "personality" put into the work, and where I can learn with only a little effort! This is my book! I hope it can be a good learning tool for you as well.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Not only does this book do a great job of explaining relational databases - it's a good read! I actually sat down and enjoyed my time reading through the descriptions and anecdotes and occasionally laughed out loud. It does what you think it's going to AND it does it in an enjoyable way.
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