This is a prescriptive work for technical managers. It is oriented very much toward the practice end of the theory-practice continuum. The book’s stated purpose is to fill a gap in the available literature by providing a comprehensive work on how to manage the hard drives of Microsoft Windows machines in a server farm. By limiting its scope to this fairly esoteric field, it gives itself a good chance of success.

The practical, informative style of the work lends itself well to its intended use: as a technical exposition that will help a working server administrator to focus on important areas, and avoid wasting time on areas that are hyped and will provide little return for effort. Where the answer is not a generally accepted fact, the author either quotes an authoritative source, such as the National Software Testing Laboratory, or gives simple instructions for readers to conduct a simple test for themselves. As an educational tool, the book works well. Its tone is conversational, and successfully avoids taking sides on controversial issues. The book assumes a basic knowledge of the Windows environment, but nothing beyond the level of a normal power computer user.

As a conveniently sized softcover volume, the book is suitable for reading at the office, or while traveling. At 280 pages, the work is long enough to cover the subject adequately, without being daunting or requiring dedication to finish.

The index is comprehensive and appears accurate. There is also a glossary, as well as an interesting chapter on computer forensics. There is a distinct lack of references. It could be argued that this is not an academic work, and that the conversational style would be disrupted by references, but in my opinion, a few more would have added credibility.

I recommend this book to those who manage systems administrators, and to systems administrators themselves, who may need comprehensive coverage of this rather esoteric area. It also contains a great deal of information that would be of practical use to users of desktop and laptop systems, even though they are not the primary target audience. The author provides detailed information, and assumes only a minimal level of prior understanding of the subject area covered.