Linux Web
TCP/IP & Linux Protocol Implementation: Systems Code for the Linux Internet
Format: Hardcover
Author: Jon Crowcroft
ReleaseDate: 15 October, 2001
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Rating:
I could have downloaded kernel tcp code for free 
Over 90% of the pages are kernel source code, literally, without any word addition or deduction. I was cheated into believing this book might have a lot of meat in it because of number of pages (almost 1000 pages), but I was wrong when I started reading the book. It might just include a CD ROM which contains the source code and make this book a better buy at 100 pages (if charge less also).
This book wants to teach you tcp/ip protocol and try to sell you on the Linux front since it is hot today. But it fails in both aspects. The tcp/ip protocol descrition is so short and incomplete that I don't believe anyone reading this book along would become familiar with tcp/ip. Nor does this book teach you about how to understand/modify kernel tcp stack in case you want to do something your own.
It is a shame that Vinton Cerf is the editor of this book and gives comment comparing that to "TCP/IP Illustrated". This book is way below the league and looks like some college students finishing a school report (no time, let's fill up with copied materials!). Vinton may lose his sense of technicality due to MCI Worldcom bankruptcy.
Finally, I would comment on the organization of the book. Each chapter starts with some summarization of introduction, then copy of relevant kernel code, usually in sections with one line description from the author. I give the book two start mainly for these brief introduction and summarization.
save your money.
Yuck! 
linux. This book was basically the linux source code without the benefits of lxr.no. The book is full of code examples without any explanations. The index is lame and does not include many key terms .
Another Disappointment
With such prominent authors I was expecting more than a rehash of O/S and IPC concepts with generous reprints of un-annotated source code. Like most other readers of this book I'm very disappointed. Yes, I can read C code and they did say the book was for those well versed in reading C. However, if I wanted to take the time to read and understand the source code myself then I wouldn't have bothered spending $70. The book does at least give a good idea of exactly which pieces of code do what. However, this book is a far cry from Richard Stevens' books (My Hero !, R. I. P. )
At most I would feel comfortable with paying $20 for this book for reference purposes and because of the nice hardback binding.
Overall, the book is pretty pathetic and the authors should be embarrassed to have ther names associated with it. There is still room for a GOOD book about the TCP/IP implementation on Linux.
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