Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 Unleashed

Rating:
Summary: A good general reference but does not shine in any one area.
Review: I confess to not being a fan of books that lead you through a scenario based on a ficticious network design and this book does just that. If you like that sort of thing, this book is for you.

The parts that do not conform to that model give some good information on deployment, troublehsooting and administration but is light on the details, especially in the client area. It is an easy read and will give you the basics.

Better to purchase "Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5, Planning, Design and Impementation by Tony Redmond. Study hard, pass the exam, then by Tony's book. Makes you feel like an Exchange Server Champ!

Rating:
Summary: Vague Coverage in Many Areas
Review: I have hard trouble finding comprehensive or exacting information in any one area. I wanted to understand Permissions tab under Recipient properties, but there was so little coverage of recipient properties. I wanted to figure out about DNS usage of Exchange 5.5, but I only found a smattering of pages on DNS concepts, but no actual how to do this in that area.

I think overall, it's hit and miss. Some non-mainstream topic areas are covered well, while basic fundamentals has inadequate or precise coverage.

I like the Dune references for the sample organization, sites, and servers. Really nice. :-)

Rating:
Summary: Hard to read
Review: If you need a first primer to Exchange Server I recommend MS Exchange Server Core Technologies by Ed Paulson - much more insightful.

Rating:
Summary: Just doesn't cut it.
Review: The fact that this book has so little info on the client end of exchange makes this book a waste. There are many other books in print that cover the client as well as server side.

Rating:
Summary: Hard to read
Review: While this book covers the basics, it is lacking in some areas. The general Exchange setup (along with clients) is thoroughly covered, but it lacks in some of the specialized areas of Exchange 5.5 (nothing mentioned about the IRC services, little about Outlook Web Access). If you are setting up a fairly generic Exchange setup, this is a good reference book. If you are looking for details on some of the more esoteric Exchange functions, another book may be up your alley. (Although the book is well worth the price as a reference)