Telecom Made Simple

Rating:
Summary: Hire An Editor!
Review: As a newcomer to the telecom industry, I chose this book as an intro to the field (I'm going to be selling telecom solutions). While the content is informative and the language is straightforward, the incredible number of grammatical errors, typos, misspellings, and flow problems drove me nuts! The book reads as if a bunch of people wrote a bunch of papers and stapled them together for publication (without benefit of copy editing or proofreading). Please, people, get yourselves a competent editor! The book presents valuable information, but the work as a whole comes across as amateurish and slipshod. The glossary was terrific, however.

Rating:
Summary: Another exceptional Harte work
Review: I have been a professional in telecom for over 6 years and I have bought several of Harte's books. I read like them because of his clear, concise style. This books diagrams are really exceptional. I would recommend it to anyone in the field, no matter what level

Rating:
Summary: Needs Professional Editing
Review: I'm new to telecom and I needed a comprehensive but easy to read book. This wasn't a good choice.

The book does have a good glossary. However, after the first few pages the authors suddenly start tossing around acronyms as if everyone innately understands them.

But worse by far is that paragraphs are out of sequence. You have to figure out for yourself that the paragraph you are reading is related to three paragraphs back but not the immediately preceding paragraphs. I found this very distracting and unpleasant and I really wished the authors had invested in editing services. You can piece together the logic but you have to be a pretty brave soul to take on a new, technical subject, a rather dry one at that, with a book that isn't strong on logical editorial flow.

I wouldn't recommend this book except perhaps to someone already familiar enough with the material that the literary weaknesses don't hinder study.

Rating:
Summary: A great book for anyone in telecommunications!
Review: Wow, what a book! The authors do an excellent job demystifing telecommunication systems and services. Great discussions on wired telephone systems, wireless services and systems, 3rd generation wireless, ethernet and token ring, PBX systems,Voice over IP and other hot technology and killer apps. The diagrams are easy to understand and complete. This is the best telecom book I have read by far and would suggest it to any of my peers and co-workers. The acronym and abbreviation appendix is worth the price alone, good job Mr. Harte, Mr. Harrelson, and Mr. Ofrane!