Computer Architecture and Organization

Rating:
Summary: Poor Textbook Choice
Review: I have worked in, on, and around computers for over 33 years. At the not-so-ripe-old age of 51, I have decided to return to college and complete my Comupter Science degree. This book is the text book for the Computer Architecture course.

This book is written like a thesis. There is very little explanation or education going on. It is as if the author is trying to convince the reader that he knows what he's talking about (which, no doubt, he does). The book is a poor choice for a college textbook. I know it's been a long time since I sat in an actual college class, but it seems to me that a textbook should make some attempt to enlighten instead of frighten.

Unless you have to have this book, don't buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Worst text ever
Review: This book is so bad that I simply withdrew from the class that required it. Nothing was explained, possibly the worst textbook I've ever seen in my life.

I understand that not everything in life is going to be delivered in an upbeat and easy to read format, but college texts that cost well over a hundred dollars shouldn't have you searching for better explanations for every item presented.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely horrible!
Review: This text is suitable for introducing engineering undergrads to the topic of computer architecture. It treats the various topics in depth, especially as far as the implementation is concerned - an area which is frequently lacking in several CS textbooks on the topic. This book does, however, assume a good knowledge of digital logic design; also, certain topics (such as the algorithms for performing arithmetic) are explained in a clearer way in other textbooks. A major strongpoint in this text is the Control Unit design, including pipelined systems. I recommend this text to anyone who wants a clear picture of architecture from an implementation standpoint rather than a merely organizational one.

Rating:
Summary: A really good book for extensive knowledge
Review: Though this book is indimidating on the first instance, It might be an ideal book if it is read more for knowledge than Grades.
It presents an extensive views on different architecture and even starts from explaining the TURING machine in the first chapter and ending with the Network architecture in the last chapter.
It has extensive views on how different digital circuits can be created using gates and most of the book covers this aspect of digital circuit design.
Such an extensive book should be considered for a 2 semester course rather than a one semester.

Rating:
Summary: A really good book for extensive knowledge
Review: Though this book is indimidating on the first instance, It might be an ideal book if it is read more for knowledge than Grades.
It presents an extensive views on different architecture and even starts from explaining the TURING machine in the first chapter and ending with the Network architecture in the last chapter.
It has extensive views on how different digital circuits can be created using gates and most of the book covers this aspect of digital circuit design.
Such an extensive book should be considered for a 2 semester course rather than a one semester.