This is a good book. However, if you are just beginning to learn SQL, then you should really slug through "SQL Queries for Mere Mortals" first. Having done that, I found Murach's 2 page presentation style on each topic a very good way to reinforce what I had learned in "SQL Queries for Mere Mortals". The Murach text also teaches you the SQL extensions specific to Microsoft SQL Server 2000, and covers the UPDATE, DELETE & INSERT keywords, plus Data Definition Language and the other advanced features of SQL Server.

The most important feature of this book is that it provides good coverage of SQL Server topics with good comprehension.

I was skeptical when I heard of the 2 page format: explain a concept on the left page and show an example emphasizing important points on the right page. It turned out to be an excellent approach to teaching a subject area. Each concept is bite sized. Each example demonstrates the concept. The important points reinforce the key items and introduce subtleties you might not encounter until you've used SQL Server for a while.

I read the book as background to the 70-229 SQL Server Design exam. This book's scope provides only a subset of the exam's topics. It is a great SQL Server introduction book.

I picked up this book last week and I have to say
what an excellent book it is! I have been using SQL
syntax for ten years but have always been intimidated by SQL Server. Not
anymore! This book is the best book I have ever read on ANY computer topic.
The two-page format makes it easy to learn a new skill. The examples are
clear and easy to follow. I was especially impressed with the writers ability to
start with simple examples and expand on them from there. The CD that comes with he book includes an evaluaton copy of SQL Server so you have everything you need to start right away.
If you don't learn SQL Server from this book, then there is little hope you ever will!

This is a fantastic guide to SQL for SQL Server. The only book you will need, it covers all the relevant areas in the well written clear style that I've come to expect from Murach's books. I would reccommend it to anyone, from the beginner to the expert.

I realize everyone gave it 5 stars but my question to all of them is did you read the entire book? This book is absolutely excellent..... for a reference book and a quick refresher book on How To ... but it does not teach. Teaching is more than a quick synopsis page of what the command does and a page of reiteration of that same info. True the Murach style of side to side page of one topic is a very good thing but... teaching is not a complete chapter on some topic with a conclusion (Perspective) at the end. Teaching requires additional lessons and exercises at least at the end of each chapter to reinforce and to give hands on for the material just covered. This book after the first two chapters has none. Zilch, nada, zero. No reinforcing exercises what so ever. You have your "How To's" on each two pages, a usual one paragraph conclusion and terms reiteration at the end of each chapter and then on to the next chapter. Yes you can learn from this style but it will be a bit difficult and it is one of the very few books I have ever had in my 18 years of IT where there were no additional re-inforcing exercises to "cement" what you just learned. No hands on after the chapter. That cost this book a 3 Star rating. BTW, I completed the whole book before I wrote this. I am going to have to get another SQL book to assist in "cementing" the How To's into my skillset.