Rating: 
Summary: Good Bye Fear
Review: Did you know that such things as Primary and Foreign Keys, Clustered Indexes, Triggers, etc. can actually be explained quite simply? Without "here, read these 1,000 pages"? Buy this book if you've been turned off my SQL Server confusion and want to get turned on to a great database.
Rating: 
Summary: good for beginners
Review: I already knew some Access but knew virtually no SQL 7.0. This book was great for a beginner like me. I think I now know enough to be dangerous. The concepts were explained concisely and simply. I think I could tackle a hardcore SQL 7 book and understand it.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is great for beginners and intermediate users.
Review: I am currently writing this book to be an excellent resource for beginning and intermediate SQL Server users. I am drawing from my vast client/server, programming, and writing experience. I have five other books to my credit on the subject of Visual Basic.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointed with this book
Review: I bought this book hoping that I could get my feet wet with SQL 7 and then get into more detail with the SQL Book Online. This book offers little more than screen shots and it does not help you gain an understanding of database concepts. If you need to administer SQL or develop with SQL, you're better off with a more complete book. I bought Using SQL Server 7.0 from QUE and am pleased with it.
Rating:
Summary: Fear Not, the World of Data Modeling
Review: I got this book to transition myself from a regular floor-support type consultant to the lofty highly-paid advanced level consultant. I knew databases were for me but was afraid to start buying the 500-page $50 doorstops that were too technical to get me interested. Since reading this book, I am ready and excited to move on to the heavier reading - and eventually the MS Exam.
Rating:
Summary: SQL Server for Dummies
Review: I had to get the basics down for SQL Server fast, in order to prepare for a roundtable of the 3 different major databases (DB2, Oracle, and SQL Server). I found this book to be an excellent introduction to this product. The book provided quick and understandable examples to some very complex database concepts and objects. I recommend this book for anyone that is interested in learning the basics of SQL Server.
Rating:
Summary: Very good review of the product
Review: I used this book as a step-by-step guide. It walked me through the installation and showed me how to use the basic tools and wizards. In almost all cases, the author shows you how to perform a task using at least 2 different methods and sometimes 3.There were very few technical errors (and I was able to figure out what was wrong by just playing around with the tools). In no way would I consider this a high-level, advanced book, but for someone new to SQL Server it fits the bill.
Rating:
Summary: Too much documentation rehash; not enough concepts/explanati
Review: I was disappointed with this book. Many trade books that are the first out to cover cutting edge topics merely take the documentation and present it a little differently (i.e. "To use this feature, first click this, then enter this, now do this." etc.) IMHO, there is too much of this in this book. Also, there is not enough explanations of the features of SQL Server 7.0 to help you understand them or how they could be used. This is the first Dummies book I have been disappointed with.
Rating:
Summary: Too much documentation rehash; not enough concepts/explanati
Review: I was disappointed with this book. Many trade books that are the first out to cover cutting edge topics merely take the documentation and present it a little differently (i.e. "To use this feature, first click this, then enter this, now do this." etc.) IMHO, there is too much of this in this book. Also, there is not enough explanations of the features of SQL Server 7.0 to help you understand them or how they could be used. This is the first Dummies book I have been disappointed with.
Rating:
Summary: I must really be a Dummy
Review: I'm new to SQL/SQL Server, and was looking for a basic intro to the package. The book does an excellent job introducing all of the features and functions, but not much else. Real-world examples were there, but very limited. As I read, I often found myself asking, in a manner of speaking, "sure, that's what button I push, but WHY do I push it?" I did walk away with an appreciation for the complexity of SQL Server 7. Save yourself the cash, and read the product documentation instead.
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