As a student trying to come to grips with what Informations Systems are I found this book very hard to get into. The author seems to constantly make a series of statements(which go on for ever) rather than discuss the basic concepts involved.
It is grossly over schematic, and the reader could be forgiven for thinking that O'Brian could write ten chapters on how the corner store should be run !

James A. O'Brien really did a wonderful job w/Introduction to Information Systems (IIS) Essentials for the e-Business Enterprise 11th edition. The guiding philosophy of the text is very germane, the style/voice is well written & easily approachable, chapter content is thoughtfully laid out, the topics are well-rounded, the jargon introduced & seamlessly integrated w/plain English definitions, & the book is up-to-date in regard to changing technology & trends in e-Business.

Frankly, I've always been of the opinion IT is, well, IT & functions in a vacuum, far removed from the politics of human resources, the spirit bunnies of the sales department, or the prosaic mentality in operations. Yet, I couldn't be further off the mark. IT has come a long way from the couple of underappreciated & oft harangued code slingers in a small, chilled room filled w/tonnes of electronics.

Ok, so some things haven't changed-underappreciated & oft harangued-however, as e-Commerce & e-Business have taken on greater significance to the corporate world, the IT arena has expanded to include a wider range of demands & responsibilities to an organization. Granted, IT crews are still mavericks & like to eschew responsibilities beyond maintaining systems integrity, but, like it or not, they're steadily integrated into corporate structure, & no longer working in a space of their own. Indeed, the days of smirking @ clueless end-users are numbered. This is where IIS, if anything, serves as a gentle & poignant wake-up call that IT is no longer separated from the rest of the organization.

What's particularly telling, the text is an odd paradox; meant for IT & non-IT would-be managers alike. O'Brien pertinently explains how IT has become a vital component of business just as accounting, sales, human resources, etc are necessary elements to the success of an organization, & worthy of study even if not destined to work in IT. For anyone wondering how does this apply to "me", IIS is demystifying a lot of IT for non-IT managers. So, don't be surprised if a non-IT manager calls the bluff on whether or not something can or can't feasibly be done.

The technical aspects from this text aren't going to enlighten those of us who routinely read IS manuals; uber-geeks might get frustrated w/the basics included in the tech sections & decide to nitpick. For instance, when O'Brien explains & compares the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model versus the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). However, as a friendly neighbourhood IT geek, I realise everyone starts somewhere, & this book is meant to impart basic concepts & provide a general working foundation for understanding e-Business as a whole, not a specific technical manual.

In fact, what makes IIS so great is the pedestrian natuare of its content. While we tech-heads know our own little world, we're generally not terribly cognizant of IT/IS issues facing other departments. IIS readily explains a basic groundwork for IT/IS in relation to other areas of an organization. Certainly, I'm of the opinion that "user" is spelled w/a silent "L" when I get questions from people struggling w/a simple application. However, after reading O'Brien, I'm inclined to a greater degree of tolerance for end-users; after all, not everyone gets the basics & logic possessing developers to determine the best ways to incorporate the needs of an application.

I'll take it a step farther & say end-users-even those who aren't interested in management of any sort-should contemplate reading IIS. I believe even vehement technophobes would come away w/a respectful appreciation of how e-Business impacts their company. Further, users @ the management level will gain some insight as to why the IT staff always seem so jaded & dour due to end-users justifying that silent "L".

As I've noted in other reviews; w/any text relating to the technology world, a book would be incomplete w/o jargon-I'd seriously question the validity of any manual free of geek-speak-however, O'Brien skilfully bridged the gap between technophile & technophobe. Though, the ubiquity of tech speak has become commonplace to the degree of confusion, IIS explains terms in end-user friendly language w/o alienating any party.

IIS is structured around the 5 major regions of IT: foundation, information technologies, business applications, development processes, & management challenges. The chapters are built, as O'Brien says, in a modular approach. Content from previous & upcoming chapters is smoothly inserted, &, chapters can stand alone or in any combo w/each other, making skimming an easy process. While it seems a bit much to introduce concepts from upcoming readings, it really works to the reader's advantage as the author only touches upon the subject, weaving in & noting where such material will come later. Therefore, when the reader arrives @ the portion dealing w/this material, its application is understood from making its earlier acquaintance.

Each chapter contains 4 current real world case studies w/relevant questions for contemplation of the studies. These studies are incredibly useful, indeed, for those reading industry standards like C-Net & IT Papers, will immediately appreciate the value of having news stories as case studies.

IIS falls down in one place: illustrations. The amount of illustrations would put a years worth of USA Todays to shame. Worse, most violate a pet peeve of mine. While the responsibility of the layout editors, I despise when a text refers to a chart that's on the next page! Ergo, I have to flip back & forth to get anything from the illustration.

Aside from illustration flaws, IIS introduces readers to basic, & sometimes advanced, ideas surrounding all the functional components of e-Business. From enterprise resource planning (ERP) to supply chain management (SCM), it's all here. Further, the "why" these are important to IT & the rest of the organization are explained so even the most cynical help desk personnel will appreciate their significance. O'Brien's book is incredibly relevant, fantastically current, & led me to a greater appreciation for e-Business beyond what's involved in maintaining a system.

This book is just what it claims to be--an introduction to information systems. There is not a tremendous amount of detail here, but I believe there is enough to give the reader a good idea of the concepts involved. At times, the author does seem to carry on more than is needed, and often you can understand the concept of a chapter very well just by reading the sentences containing the bold words. The best part of the book, in my opinion, is the use of real-world examples, to show how the concepts discussed are being put into use, and how they have benefited real-life companies.

Chances are, if you're buying this book, it's for a college level course. I am a non-business major, and this book was part of a class I took as a general education credit. For this, I think the book is adequate, because it gives a decent introductions into IS without a lot of details. BIS majors, however, will not benefit a great deal from this book, as everything is so basic that it will be of little benefit to someone serious about working with information systems.

This book is used as a MEH textbook for sophomores in my highschool. My friends and i found this book to be very dull and boring. It contains a lot of information but the way it is presented is not in an interesting manner, rather in a dull way. This book has no bold words which makes it difficult for us to read. I believe it was chapter 17 or 18 that the beginning was very interesting but suddenly it became boring. I think history is interesting but the way that this book teaches it to you is very uninteresting. I don't suggest this book for any highschool student. Everyday when we get our history assignment i dread to read this book because it is so boring.

I enjoyed this text during my history class very much because it was so in depth. The hundreds of famous paintings alone make this book worthwhile, but it reads very much like a college text. Don't get me wrong -- I came to love history through taking this class, and the book was a large part of that. You must have a high level of literacy and some previous knowledge of history to read this book very easily. NO DETAILS ARE LEFT OUT!!! The book is fabulous and I would recommend it to any level anyways.

The book had lots of info and was easy to understand. It covered all of the most important aspects of western civilizations. Anyone who complains that it was hard to read is an ... I would consider myself smart but i am by no means a rocket scientist and i found this book easy to read and enjoyable. It provided lots of information about certain interesting aspects of different civilizations cultures that would appeal to anyone who whould sign up for a history course.

Yeah, great book IF you already know all this stuff. As a technical writer by profession I would use this book as a first draft to begin to create an understandible presentation of IIS. This is filled with ambiguity unless you know IT administration from way back...For example, the author romps through setting up a website using a wizard. Fine. But "hello!" am I supposed to know what the permissions are that I am setting up? For whom? For the website visitor or the FrontPage author, or what??? As it turned out I was locking the pages from editing by any FrontPage users. Great.

Yeah, a fine book for the inner cult. But no concept that someone might be setting up a dedicated server as a "mom and pop" ISP. I finally punted and called Microsoft... We finally figured out the problems and I can guarantee you it was nothing that this book could have helped with... The only thing worse than confusing software is ambiguous technical writing about it!

I have to agree with the comments concerning the superficiality of this book. If you understand what the author is discussing then you don't need this book except perhaps as a reference. If you don't understand the topic there is very little explanation that will help you. Please be aware that the author is extremely MS biased and works entirely in Front Page and VBscript. Statements like "...there are a plethora of hackers who are continuously trying to discredit Microsoft and its products..." (p148) are deplorable.

I bought the book because of the 4.5+ rating on Amazon. But this book is a complete waste of money, it lacks any in-depth stuff needed by a professional, the author does not seem to have the calibre to write something which is really beyond the obvious, all he seems to know is some VB stuff.

It's nice to see that leftover 70's trend merchants can still make a living re-packaging their columns. Please buy the book now, since nearly all of this "advice" will stop making sense the moment the Rat Pack Revival evaporates.

The book was somewhat useful. The attempt at sarcasm weak. The advice in regard to premature ejaculation was from the Middle Ages. Mr. O'Brien's advice to men with premature ejaculation was reckless. The responses to questions insensitive and without research. Men who have premature ejaculation should seek professional advice. If there is a 2nd edition to this book, some element of research should be included with the intention of helping someone. It is, however, premature to assume there will be a 2nd edition

Firstly, you have to like Glenn O'Brien's sarcastic attitude to enjoy his book. Pick up a GQ and read his column first, if you haven't already.

My only critcism is that he spends too much time talking about things other than clothing, when there's still so much more that could be explained. I'm not sure this is entirely his fault, as he set out to print the answers to his most frequently asked questions. Still, often the things we need answered the most are the questions we never even thought to ask.

What I do like, and what makes the book a worthwhile purchase, is that O'Brien represents clearly for us the difference between style and fashion. Most people who would buy this book already have a subscription to GQ, at least. This guide helps us steer clear of the latest faux pas the fashion world is trying to sell.

I was excited to buy this book for my wife. She has tried to work with it several times and it is not as easy as it appears. On the other hand, after she decorated our new home, most of it was the way it was suggested. I would suggest to buy something else for your home and maybe a cheaper but more practical handbook.

Admittedly, the whole feng shui craze is a little overblown, but when I went looking for a kit to help me understand it, I found that this was the most comprehensive one out there. Easy enough for me--a rookie--to understand, I think that it's the sort of thing that I'll be able to go back to time and time again.

The use of language is intoxicating, like inhaling the fumes of paint thinner. The best of this collection reminds me of Stevens. In fact, some of it is Stevens, just slightly off. As if someone had taken a fuzzy polaroid of a pond and hung it in a gallery--yes, in some ways it resembles a Monet, but in many ways it does not. I liked that this book was being called poetry. It'll mystify your friends who try to read it as if it's poetry. That's why I give it a star.

...or very perceptive. Such as the reviewer below who gave Mr. O'Brien's book such a thrashing. Yes, we are all entitled to our own point of view. Yes, the dustwrap on the book says that O'Brien is influenced by Stevens. No, his poems aren't incomprehensible. Yes, they require effort (goodness forbid). One might keep in mind that sometimes when book and reader's head meet, it isn't the book that is lacking. Give Guns and Flags the time it warrants and never, read reviews.

When you hear the word 'dragon' what do you think of? A big, evil, fire-breathing monster destroying villages with its fiery breath or devouring virgins chained to rocks. Pure cliche, that's what I would call it. Evil is in the eye of the beholder and just because you believe a dragon is evil doesn't make it so. A dragon has been used far too long as a scapegoat and this book by Michael O'Brien isn't helping much.
Man has the capacity to be far more evil than any dragon yet I do not lump all humans into one group and call them evil. So why are all dragons portrayed as evil? If you were to meet a dragon would your first instinct be to kill it? Of course it would, because human beings have been brainwashed by the church to believe that all dragons are evil.

The prejudicial writings of this author prevent me from recommending this book in any manner what so ever.
There are many books that are better when it comes to dragons. If you have an open mind about dragons, do yourself a favor and seek other literature

This is my favorites source book for an approach for books and reading material for my children. O'Brien's thesis is that children must learn their moral ABC's as well as the letters of the alphabet. The classic tales for children has always been morality tales where "good guys" and "bad guys" are clearly delineated. Evil is not something to be "understood" or "rehabilitated" but conquered - in ourselves and in the world.

The blurry greys of adult fare now infects children's stories, and it leaves them bewildered and ill-equiped for the realities of the world.

"Dragons" refers to the classic figures in old stories - they are to be faced, turned away, killed. Further, O'Brien is speaking to the Christian, and speaks clearly. "The Dragon" would love to have a moral landscape where no one believes in evil. It allows the con-man to creep right in before destroying you. Even those who are not theologically trained, or believers in the Christian faith will welcome O'Brien's logic, and recommendations. And his honesty in laying bare his influences.

He has a very nice list of recommendations in his appendices, and my kids have been eating them up.

This is a wonderful, necessary book for fathers of sons.

On the cover of The Mysterious Valley is the following blurb, "In America's Rugged San Luis Valley, The Nightime Peace is Shattered by the Otherworldly and the Unnatural." Well, I live there, in the same town as the author and the night is quiet and peaceful, full of a cloud of stars, but sadly (for I would love to see one) no UFO's. The cows lead peaceful bovine lives with no fear of alien butchery. Also on the cover is a blurb to the effect that, "This is not fiction..." Well, not good fiction.

I have not finished reading this book, however, I find that it rambles and is poorly written. Having lived in this valley back in the 1950's I am also confused about where he is taking us with all this rambling and location information. Why is there no map included. It would be very orientating. Where is a photo of the cattle mutilation.? Why is the print so small? I am trying to get through it, but it is difficult.

After reading this book and seeing the movie Close Encounters, again, I see several similarities between the two. The cattle mutilations and the black helicopters are only some of the bizarre and extremely interesting things that Mr. O'Brien points out. Is our government doing something unbelievable in Southern Colorado? Is it possible, with the proximity of some of America's most secretive mountain bases that we are being lead down some path of doom? There are still some questions I have regarding some facts in The Mysterious Valley, but other than that it's a good read. Personally, I'd love to see another book or an updated version of it. Skeptics should save their money and time. Believers should read it and, as always, pass the title along to a friend

"Maiden Voyage" ended up on my recommedation list from amazon after I purchased Diana Gabaldon's latest novel "Drums of Autumn" . I love historical fiction and intelligently written romance, especially when it involves Ireland, Scotland or England, so I thought I'd give "Maiden Voyage" a try. I opened the novel expecting something similar to Diana Gabaldon's writing; thoroughly researched and eloquently written historical fiction with a healthy dose of romance for good measure. "Maiden Voyage" was a grievous disappointment. Filled with shallow unbelievable characters, a typical rote romance plot, and cloying stereotypes displaying a terrible ignorance of Irish history and culture, I found the book truly painful to wade through. Ms. O'Brien ought to visit Ireland and interact with some Irish citizens before attempting any more novels set there.

If you want an excellent work or romance/ historical fiction, try Diana Gabaldon. Her characters are believable and intelligent, and her history is thoroughly researched.

I enjoyed O' Brien's tale of an Irish American woman who inherits an 18th century townhouse and the ghost that inhabits it. I actually shed a few tears at the end, and the humor was refreshing and well- written. The idea of reincarnation and the ability of two souls finally reuniting was sweet. The idea of the Fitz( the ghost) and Kitty( his fiance/ wife) enjoying their brief time together was poignant and hopeful.
The problems with this novel , I think, are it's very slooooow start, and the fact that its plot is riddled with holes. The end is unsatisfactory, because I don't feel like the main character and the ghost have enough time together, nor do they get to say goodbye to one another. The modern villian, Roger, had motivations that weren't fully explained. The dark force that was also in the house was never explained or satisfactorily exorcised.
Anyway, if you like time travel romance, this one was certainly different than most, as far as how the time seperating the lovers is bridged. It has a unique and imaginative, if poorly developed plot, great humor, and some endearing characters. At the end you may feel like youv'e been left hanging.
Anyway, the book was good enough to make me want to look at some of O' Brien's other work.

Some of these reviews really bother me, especially the one accusing me of never having been to Ireland (which is where I spent many summers as a child, many more vists as an adult). As for the characters being "stock," each was based on a very real person. In all honesty, I should have a thick skin by now, and I certainly respect opinions of all sorts, but how could one possibly think I wrote such a detailed description of Dublin without having ever been there? And as for ghosts in Ireland, especially in certain Dublin houses....well. There are indeed those of us who know for a fact that my tale was not entirely fiction!