Rating: 
Summary: Well formulated, thorough and still easily accessible.
Review: This is just the book I have been looking for! It explains Jini in all needed details, starting from the assumption that you know Java. It leads you the way through what exists prior to Jini, including Corba and DCOM, and what key issues they don't handle. It explains what Java makes possible, and what is needed on top of that.One of the many strong points of the book, is that it looks at each topic from several angles. And it explains and stresses all the small, seemingly unimportant aspects that really make a big difference. "What is the big deal" type of questions, with corresponding informative answers. The five key elements of Jini is explained at several levels of detail. In the introductory chapter they are listed with a one liner each, followed by a paragraph or two on each of them. In later chapters they are looked at in all needed detail. Edwards is very conscious about each word and description used. There is never any misunderstanding what he wants to explain, and what each term that is used means. In this kind of a book that is one of the most important aspects. This book is highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Where's the API?
Review: Very comprehensive, but two minor problems: 1. Maybe I'm missing something here, but nowhere in the book is the API actually listed. It is discussed at length and used in examples, but I can't find any explicit description of exactly what classes, interfaces, and exceptions constitute the JINI API. An appendix would be handy. 2. A minor annoyance - the author frequently uses the construction "some of you..." or "most of you...", using the second person plural. I am not a group of people, I am only me. I paid for this book. Talk to me in second person singular.
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