Those interested in colonial New England biography would do well to pay close attention to the title of this slim volume. This book is relatively long on early New England Baptist theology and practice, and the politics of securing Rhode Island's charter of 1663, but very short on John Clarke and his times. Consequently there is little here for the non-professional historical reader and even less on material culture. The book has the feel of something unfinished, not surprising when one learns that the author died before he completed it. There are no illustrations, although a portrait believed to be of Clarke exists. William Dyre's role in revoking Coddington's patent of 1651 and obtaining a new patent with Clarke in 1652 goes without mention. The footnote for the quote in the chapter 2 title is missing. Some descriptions seem outright silly, such as that Coddington's house in Newport was large and Clarke's must have been much smaller. The flaws are not hard to notice. It is difficult to write the biography of a second-tier figure of early New England when so little documentation remains, but the author could have done much more. This is the history of religion and politics, but not of John Clarke.

This book is very poorly written for the type of audience it is intended for - existing CNE's. If you're looking for a book filled with important technical information, this is NOT the one. In addition to all the "fluff" there are numerous mistakes throughout the book - in both the text and labs. It's obvious that the author did not check to see if the labs would work properly. Don't bother with this one - it's not worth the time or the money.

The amount of fluff in this book is rather annoying. (ZEN, InfoBahn, NW5 rules the world, etc. etc. etc.) Clarke, just write about the technical aspects of the NOS and skip the childish attempts to entertain the reader. The people reading this book are already CNE's wanting to update their cert to 5.x... they don't want, nor need your poor attempts at entertainment. Had the fluff been omitted from this book, it would be a nice little 300-350 page study guide (and had a few items not been overlooked). As it is, you find yourself skimming or skipping pages due to the annoying attempts at cuteness, and possibly missing an important detail in the process. Do yourself a favor and either buy another book or purchase CNEQUIZR... you'll learn more from that practice exam than you will from this book. ...

Just finished another winner from Mr. Clarke. If you're a 4.x CNE, use this book for test 529. Add to that Novell's docs and either CNEQUIZER or the EXAM CRAM book (plus NetWare 5 practice) and you're good to go. I give it only 4 stars because of some irritating typos. You can get the concepts from Novell's docs, but Clarke shows you how to implement features in the real world.

I found the "humor" in this book so annoying that in the end I took the book back to the store I bought it from, got a refund, and ordered a Sybex title from Amazon instead. Also considering that most people who buy this title probably do so to study for their CNE, it might be an idea to organize it by exam subject matter rather than just jumble it all together.

While this book contains most of the information one needs it's hard to get through the confusing maze of silly stories and irrelevant chatter to find what you are looking for. as a double MCNE with a teaching background, I have managed to get some 20 people through their CNE training using this book, not because it's the best or even good, but because up until recently there was no alternative. I am desperately looking to replace it as a reference text.

I read this book three years ago and found it enjoyable (he does have a weird sense of humor)and it prepaired me to take 5 Novell exams without attending one class. I cheated and got the course material for 4.1 Admin.... Today I just finished my recert for NetWare 5 for CNE and CNA and used his newer books for Admin and Advanced Admin.

This book that I read 3 years ago has led me to all my other certifications and a to great career. I just wish he'd write a book to deal with the CCIE Lab exam....

Chris Augustine MBA, CCNP, CCDP, CCDA, CCNA, MCSE+I, MCSE, MCP+I, MCNE(twice), CNE, CNA, ASE, Intel Network Specialist, Bay Router & Mgt Specialist, Compaq ASE

I am an instructor who teaches Novell Intranetware to students who don't have any previous computer experience, and they DETEST the book. I never noticed all the extra crap in it until they pointed it out to me. I spend most of my time pointing them to the EXCELLENT diagrams and charts, and steering them away from the text... It needs a re-write very very badly. I am going to recommend to my school that we change textbooks for this course.

I didn't log on to review this book but to search for another. I have to agree with most of the other reviewers. I haven't taken the exam yet because after going over and over this book I have no confidence that I can pass the exam. All the extra fluff was terribly distracting! I couldn't keep track of where he was going most of the time. I passed my MCSE self study in 4 months. So I don't think its just me. I going to try another author.

This book is an excellent source to study and prepare you to pass the CNA exam with a minimal amount of effort, it's just probably not going to be opened again after you pass the exam. A reference/resource kit for future use it's not. Do yourself a favor and spend a few extra bucks and get the CNE study guide. It has the same content and then some, and it's a great sidekick for reference on the job!

The author has definately done his homework. Having grown up in Arizona, experiencing the events as they unfolded before,during, and after the escape. Having worked as a Corrections Officer who has had personal experience with quite a few of the key players, I can say that this book captures the essence of the events that occured. Nobody but the players themselves can confirm or deny much of what has been written. One of Gary Tison's sons died at the roadblock. Gary Tison died of exposure on the Arizona desert very near his home. ( The official version). Randy Greenwalt, who in prison on deathrow, knitted afgan blankets and read the bible, politely talking to the officers, ( with homemade shanks and escape plans in his cell) was executed last year. The other two Tison sons are serving life sentences. They could say what they know. Most of the story is lost. I could say it doesn't matter. The truth is that there were ugly killings done by some very bad people. It does matter. The victims and their family and friends had to endure a hell with no boundries. This book serves as a reminder to me that I am and was, the keeper of people who could kill without remorse. The most cruel and responsible are dead. Having worked deathrow in Arizona, I know there are other stories too. If you don't believe in capital punishment, read this book. Then ask yourself why they deserved to grace us with their presence. Justice has been served. In my opinion, only Gary Tison got true justice. Name withheld because I have a career to finish, and children to support.