With the increasing spread of UNIX to desktops and even home computers, more and more people have the opportunity, and perhaps the necessity, to learn about this powerful standard operating system. This book is written to help provide an introduction to UNIX for any mildly technical person.

The book is comprehensive in the sense that it provides everything necessary for the tour of programs that it introduces, but do not look here for a complete or definitive reference on UNIX. In 25 chapters, the book covers everything from how a keyboard works to X terminals and processes. It is gentle and user friendly, and tries to approach UNIX from a hands-on perspective. This can be useful to first-time users; for example, Hahn describes startup problems if your local terminal modes do not match those of the system you are logging into. Issues like these are not a part of standard documentation, but are sometimes a part of first-time experiences.

The book has a supportive and advocative approach to the UNIX experience, and often expounds the UNIX philosophy. If they are not put off by such unavowed and partisan enthusiasm, new users could find this entertaining. Another good point is that the book explains some of the reasons for various situations; for example, a short tutorial on how X Windows clients and servers interact is given as a part of the discussion on how to start your command window.

The book takes a hands-on, application-level user approach, which is appropriate for its audience. Topics are sequenced by the order in which various applications are introduced, including games, bc, man, shells (the Korn and C shells), mail, and the vi and Emacs editors. Because of this try-it-first approach, basic models of UNIX are not presented in any particular order or level; for example, the directory structure is not given until 600 pages into the book. Thus, the book would not make a good reference or instructional guide.

I found a few of the author’s suggestions questionable, such as to log out by using the login command. I also doubt the value of providing more than 100 pages on Emacs to casual users new to UNIX. Overall, the book is effective and appropriate for its intended audience. It will not replace any of the standard books or references, but with an increasing audience for UNIX, it is a useful addition.