I purchased Greg's story the minute it hit the stands because Greg was my #1 sports hero as I was growing up. When I read his story, he affected my life in an even greater way. I have a brother who is gay, but he had not come out to his family yet. After reading Greg's story I knew that I needed to help my brother by supporting him now, instead of waiting until it was too late. A few days after finishing my read, I told my brother that I knew he was gay and that I loved him, supported him, and was proud of him. I got the best hug of my life. I only wish that I could've given Greg the same hug when he really needed it the most. I'm proud of the fact that he was, and still is, one of my heroes. Read the book. It is a heartbreaking and frank look at humanity.

GREG LOUGANIS' REAL LIFE STRUGGLES ARE VERY TOUCHING AND HOLD A DEEP AND PERSONAL MESSAGE FOR ALL. GROWING UP A SHY, QUIET, TALENTED YOUNG MAN AND GROWING UP TO BE THE GREATEST OLYMPIC DIVER EVER MAY SEEM IMPOSSIBLE. HOWEVER, HIS REAL LIFE STRUGGLES WERE EVEN MORE IMPOSSIBLE. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE. ALSO IF YOU GET A CHANCE WATCH THE VIDEO ALSO. I RATE THEM BOTH VERY HIGHLY.

I remember watching Greg Louganis in 1988 and his last dive that gave him his fourth Olympic gold medal. I was only 7 years old and had no idea about what a struggle he had. When I found out that he was HIV-positive and gay, I was shocked. I don't know why. I read the book during my junior year in high school and enjoyed it. The information on diving was informative and I enjoyed that part. The part that surprised me the most was the way he talked openly and frankly about his lovers and his feelings for them. It was the first time I had ever read anything like that and it shocked me but then I got used to it. Sure, I've seen "Philadelphia" and the dancing scene but I always figured that they're actors and it was part of their jobs to do stuff like that. Call me naive; I was. But this, the things in the book, happened to a real person, one who is a vivid part of my childhood memories. In many parts, I was crying, trying to picture what Greg's life must have been like all those years and how it hurt him-all the teasing, taunts, rumors and other things he must have endured. I think he has a lot of courage to come out and write this book; to me it shows a person who is confident of where he is now in life and wants others to accept him for who he is.

When I read the book Eric, I had to fight to hold back the tears! He was such a gifted young man, full of promise, and to see it all wasted like that was heart wrenching. This book is very well writen. In fact, you feel as if your there with Eric while he's playing soccer, partying, or at the hospital. By going with him to Ewing 8 you meet the people who truly are heroes, the ones who have the courage to live day by day with this horrible disease.
Since Eric, medicine has improved and people have a better chance of living when diagnosied with leukimia. Eric was very determined, and knew his odds at the same time.
Every person who has had this disease or experienced it with a loved needs to read this book.

I first read this book when I was around 14 years old. It touched me so deeply then, and even today, at the age of 31, I have never forgotten it. Doris Lund tells the story from her heart, and you feel like you are a part of her family as she takes you through their struggles. You feel the pain of each family member and at times it's heartbreaking. After finishing the book, I wrote Doris Lund a letter telling her what a wonderful son she had. She answered me back telling me that Eric's strength and courage are what have helped her keep going through the difficult times. She also mentioned that the rest of the family was doing fine. If Eric's story has taught us anything, it's that we should live life to the fullest. Eric certainly did that. He is an inspiration to people everywhere. I'm sure he's got a special place in heaven.

I read this book as a teenager when it was first published - back in the mid 1970's. The story of Eric's struggle with leukemia moved me deeply. After reading the book I promptly was tested and added to the blood platelet registry at NIH hospital, in the hopes of being able to help someone someday in Eric's situation. Little did I know that 20-some years later, now grown with a family of my own, that my own teenage daughter would get sick with leukemia. I know as sure as I'm sitting here typing this thru tears, this book saved my daughters life. Had I not read it and learned the signs and symptoms of leukemia, I would not have known to get my daughter to the doctor as soon as I did. She could have easily slipped away before she had a chance to be diagnosed and treated. I'm happy to say that last week (Jan 13, 2000) my daughter finished up 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy and has a very good chance of surviving. A heartfelt THANK YOU to Doris Lund for sharing her touching story with us. No words can express my gratitude. If anyone knows how I can contact Ms. Lund, please email me - I would love to share our experience with her and let her know how instrumental she was in my daughters survival.

This is a stirring book which holds a reader's attention from the first page until the last. As the true drama unravels, readers learn of the atrocities which were inflicted on an innocent little girl. Readers also learn of the birth of child protection in America as it unfolds through the efforts of a few determined and dedicated individuals. This is a "must read" for anyone with a heart for children and compassion for victims of abuse. Until now, this story was a missing piece of our history, yet it is now available for us to read about and learn from. Lazoritz and Shelman have shed light on this once overlooked part of our history, and they have indeed brought little Mary Ellen Wilson "Out of the Darkness". This is an extremely well written book, and its pages are packed with truth, spirit, and drama. Once read, it is a story you will never forget. Little Mary Ellen Wilson scampers through the pages as her story is told. Readers feel, hear, see, taste, dream, hope and live Mary Ellen's story as the authors reveal her life using words of truth filled with strokes of compassion. While growing up, little Mary Ellen Wilson had no toys to play with or books to read. Her life was a living nightmare. But now, Mary Ellen not only has a book, she has an audience. We must give this child and her book our full attention so that we learn from history's mistakes and strive to protect our children from the evil of child abuse. Lazortiz and Shelman have cause to celebrate in this masterpiece book. Mary Ellen's story will touch many lives through the pages of this book.

Child abuse is a subject many people would prefer not to think about. This account of the life of Mary Ellen Wilson will change that way of thinking. This story will open your heart to a little girl who, for much of her childhood had no friends, no hugs, no kisses, no bedtime "I love you" moments. The book will take you from the beginnings of a love story, through death, child abuse, hate, compassion, rescue, and survival. It's a must read for anyone who thinks that one person cannot make a difference in the life of a child. Thank you, Mr. Shelman and Dr. Lazoritz for bringing Mary Ellen into our lives...may the doors of our hearts be opened as a result.

"Out of the Darkness" is indeed the perfect title for the long-awaited telling of these events. For the past 50 years, only students and professionals in the child protection field have learned the profound significance of Mary Ellen's story. This, the first book entirely devoted to this landmark case, brings Mary Ellen to life along with all those who helped her survive.

The story opens in May 1864 on a battlefield in Cold Harbor, Virginia, as Thomas Wilson receives word of the birth of his little girl in New York City and dreams of returning soon to his wife, Fanny, and their child. Shortly afterward, however, he dies in battle.

Amid the hustle and bustle of New York City life, Mary Ellen's mother attempts to care for her little girl, but poverty soon forces her to abandon the child. We learn of Mary Ellen's stay in an almshouse for a time before being taken into a foster home where she is beaten, locked in a closet, burned, and permitted no contact with the outside world. She remains in this home for 6 long years.

Shelman and Lavoritz accurately and poignantly describe the New York City of the 1860s and 1870s, allowing the reader to experience the overcrowding and the sounds and smells of the infamous Hell's Kitchen area of NYC where Mary Ellen is finally found and rescued.

The story follows two threads, first told separately, and then woven skillfully together. We learn of Mary Ellen's plight, while at the same time in NYC, Henry Bergh is working to found the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). We are with Bergh as he enforces the new animal protection laws in NYC. He fights to protect them all --from turtles to horses. He is often ridiculed as he charges, "Turtle abuse!" But he persists. Amazingly, in 1874 there was no agency to aid mistreated children. When Etta Wheeler, a dedicated social worker, appeals to Bergh and his animal rights society to take the lead in the child's rescue, he and the ASPCA's talented attorney, Elbridge Gerry, conduct the then famous trial that ultimately brings Mary Ellen freedom and a new home and results in the founding of the New York City Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, still in existence today.

The story culminates in the standing-room-only trial where Mary Ellen's foster mother is charged on several felony counts. The authors effectively recreate the circuslike atmosphere that prevails throughout the trial at which witnesses from all walks of life testify about what they have seen and heard. The transcripts of the trial are complete and authentic.

While most will read this book as a novel, a complete index at the back provides access to the wealth of factual material carefully researched by the authors. An epilogue tells what finally happened to Mary Ellen as an adult. Adding to the authenticity are a number of previously unprinted photographs provided to the authors by relatives of the principals.

An invaluable reference for those interested in the history surrounding child and animal protection, "Out of the Darkness: The Story of Mary Ellen Wilson is also just "a good read."

A friend gave me a copy of Fall to Grace about a year ago, and I remember thinking "catchy title." But in the days that followed I was spellbound by this fascinating true story by Eric Karlson, so much so that when I was finished I went to my local bookstore and bought four more copies to give to friends. I'm sure that many eyes have read those copies. For those of you who seek a deeper understanding of the Vietnam War from a completely unique point of view, this book is a must. For those of you who seek a deeper understanding of the path(s) to enlightenment, this book is a must. Kudos to the author.

I have read a lot of books about the political pinnings of the Vietnam War, and seen lots of movies about it, but I have never read an author's account of personal polarization before encountering Mr. Karlson's own account. The title and the subtitle originally caught my attention: "Fall To Grace: A True Story of Sex, Drugs, Vietnam and Enlightenment". Wow. Talk about touching on something for everyone...

Since it was an independent book, I was originally sceptical of how good a read it might present. But after reading the first chapter, I was completely hooked and spent every possible moment reading it. I called in sick to work the day I finished the book--just so I could stay home and keep reading!

As I went through each chapter, I found myself regularly referring to the glossary of terms in the back. Even though I'd heard terminology like "Fragging" and "The World" in films like Apocalypse Now, Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, my understanding of the greater context, the geographical locales and the enlisted man's sentiment could not be fully realized without having immersed myself in this book. Having been born in 1971, my concept of Vietnam has been shaped largely by Hollywood films and skewed history books. I found this autobiographical text to make all my previous experiences and understanding much more visceral.

This is the story of a true soldier: a man who faces horrific uncertainty with total bravery, honor and a willingness to do battle with the ultimate adversary--himself.

One of those rare reads; a titanic pleasure, with large lessons, contemplations, compassions.

A powerful, first hand perspective of America's involvement in Vietnam. Having read several other historical renditions of the Vietnam war, I was both surprised and enlightened by a truly unique personal journey through the various mindsets that operated in Vietnam during the war. Mr. Karlson actually survived three wars, the first as a drug addict, the second as a frequently AWOL cook for the American war effort and lastly as a raw first time writer, who strikes gold with his account. Upon finishing the book in short order I quickly passed it along to a friend and accomplished historical drama screenwriter. During the reading process it ran on my small screen. Now it should be on the Big Screen. I recommend it to all. You'll feel like you were with the author every step of the way!

This book, War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars, by Andrew Carroll (Editor) is a touching book. With the recent release of the movie Pearl Harbor, the questions that my generation wants to ask the veterans of war are rising out of the ashes once again. Carroll did an excellent job of putting together a collage of soldier's letters which portrays the true emotions of our freedom fighters. Recently having studied many of the wars included in this book, War Letters pulled everything into one book; from the Civil War all the way through Bosnia/Kosovo. The letters in WWI and WWII seemed more hopeful, and 'the great generation' seemed more patriotic. While the soldiers fighting Vietnam had more of a sense of urgency, kind of 'get this over with already' attitude. A common theme with all the letters was they were writing to loved ones, and would claim they would see them soon. Unfortunately, many of these letters were the 'last letters' to the families, some even written on backs of photographs, on scratch paper, or on Hitler's personal stationary. Also, these letters are written a few hours, days, or weeks after the events happened. The soldier has no opportunity to hear what the media said, or how the nation reacted to such a horrific event. They write with their souls, spilling their guts to their families, and shedding their blood for their nation. Granted, having just completed one year of US History helps me understand these events just that much more, but all in all, this book was everything from terrifying to heart warming.

Let me start this review by confessing that I am biased. One of my letters from Vietnam is included in the book. I therefore view the book differently from the average reader.

I also got an advance copy of the book a week before the official release date, and have been able to read it.

Andrew Carroll produced this book by reading through almost 50,000 letters and selected roughly 200 that best show what everyday life in the military - and in war - are like from the viewpoint of the average soldier, sailor, marine, and airman.

Andy was able to get these letters by persuading Dear Abby to publish an appeal in her column on Veteran's Day in 1998. The column urged readers to contribute these letters so that the sacrifices of the writers would not be forgotten. The result was a flood of 50,000 letters - some faded, some muddy, some blood-stained, and one pierced by a bullet. One letter was written on Hitler's personal stationary by an American sergeant who worked in Hitler's personal quarters in Germany just after WW II. What could be a better symbol of justice?

The letter writers' views are very different than the views you will get by reading the memoirs of a general or an admiral. When I was in the Army, there was a wonderful comment that explained life in the Infantry:

"The general gets the glory, The family gets the body, and We get another mission."

Your view of the military - and of war - changes depending on your position in this food chain.

Overcoming an enemy machine gun is an interesting technical problem when you are circling a firefight in a helicopter at 1,000 feet. You take a very different view of the problem when you are so close to the machine gun that your body pulses from the shock wave of the muzzle blast.

These letters were written by soldiers while they were in the military. They are describing events that happened that day, the pervious day, or the previous week. Their memories are very fresh. Their views also are very different from the views that someone might have when writing his memoirs thirty years later. In thirty years the everyday pains, problems, and terrors could very well be forgotten or become humorous.

The book groups these letters by war or police action. There are sections for letters from the Civil War, WW I (the war to end wars), WW II, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Somolia/Bosnia/Kosovo.

Some things never change. The Civil War letter writers grumble about poor food, tiresome marches, mindless sergeants and incompetent officers. The Vietnam letter writers (myself included) grumbled about the same things.

One anguished letter was from an officer in Vietnam who was torn by his need to hide his opposition to the war for fear of demoralizing his men. At the end of the letter is a brief comment explaining that the officer stepped on a mine and died shortly after writing this letter.

Welcome to life in the military. Welcome to war.

You should read this book if you want to see what life was like and is like in the military and in war.

Let me start this review by confessing that I am biased. One of my letters from Vietnam is included in the book. I therefore view the book differently from the average reader.

I also got an advance copy of the book a week before the official release date, and have been able to read it.

Andrew Carroll produced this book by reading through almost 50,000 letters and selected roughly 200 that best show what everyday life in the military - and in war - are like from the viewpoint of the average soldier, sailor, marine, and airman.

Andy was able to get these letters by persuading Dear Abby to publish an appeal in her column on Veteran's Day in 1998. The column urged readers to contribute these letters so that the sacrifices of the writers would not be forgotten. The result was a flood of 50,000 letters - some faded, some muddy, some blood-stained, and one pierced by a bullet. One letter was written on Hitler's personal stationary by an American sergeant who worked in Hitler's personal quarters in Germany just after WW II. What could be a better symbol of justice?

The letter writers' views are very different than the views you will get by reading the memoirs of a general or an admiral. When I was in the Army, there was a wonderful comment that explained life in the Infantry:

"The general gets the glory, The family gets the body, and We get another mission."

Your view of the military - and of war - changes depending on your position in this food chain.

Overcoming an enemy machine gun is an interesting technical problem when you are circling a firefight in a helicopter at 1,000 feet. You take a very different view of the problem when you are so close to the machine gun that your body pulses from the shock wave of the muzzle blast.

These letters were written by soldiers while they were in the military. They are describing events that happened that day, the pervious day, or the previous week. Their memories are very fresh. Their views also are very different from the views that someone might have when writing his memoirs thirty years later. In thirty years the everyday pains, problems, and terrors could very well be forgotten or become humorous.

The book groups these letters by war or police action. There are sections for letters from the Civil War, WW I (the war to end wars), WW II, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Somolia/Bosnia/Kosovo.

Some things never change. The Civil War letter writers grumble about poor food, tiresome marches, mindless sergeants and incompetent officers. The Vietnam letter writers (myself included) grumbled about the same things.

One anguished letter was from an officer in Vietnam who was torn by his need to hide his opposition to the war for fear of demoralizing his men. At the end of the letter is a brief comment explaining that the officer stepped on a mine and died shortly after writing this letter.

Welcome to life in the military. Welcome to war.

You should read this book if you want to see what life was like and is like in the military and in war.

This book was extremely well written, and being a hockey fan myself, I am always interested in finding new fact, figures, and the like. I was pleased at the way it informed me on everything that has happened in hockey. Everything trival anyone would want to know is in here! Statistics, players, history, you name it, it's in here. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an appreciation of the hockey players in all countries who entertain us everyday and to anyone that's a fan of the coolest game on earth!

Since 1983, the copyright of The Hockey Encyclopedia by Stan and Shirley Ficshler, I have eagerly awaited an updated version of this incredible reference book. Finally-the masterpiece of them all. Comprehensive section on the History of the game and the NHL and tons of stats. The greatest thing that sets this book apart from others is the trades and tracking of each player. Who went to what team for what player or what player was selected for a traded draft choice. The ultimate trivia at the tip of your fingers!!

This book can tell you everything you every wanted to know about hockey and the tradition of hockey. You get to see so many stats about all the teams and the players of the NHL. A must have for all Hockey fans and players of the wonderful game.

I read this book nearly at one sitting, literally sitting, up in bed one night when I should have been sleeping. Four or five times I awakened my husband, shaking the bed with my laughter, especially when Mohammed moved a sheep into the back seat of his taxi for the next five days, saying, "The sheep won't mind."
Eric Hansen has scored with this book, and I've recommended it to probably 40 people and given it as a gift to 5-6.
Read it and enjoy in - on many levels.

This book not only makes me wish I could afford to travel, but it makes me wish I was a man(Well, kinda). Since most of the interesting stuff can only be experienced by men. Eric Hansen has an easy to read style that easily draws the reader into his story. It's a delightful read, especially since he is not an arrogant traveler and tries a lot of things that other tourists might snub. He also gives a lesson on the Yemen culture, without the reader ever suspecting that they're learning something. This is a great book for travelers at heart.

I read this book shortly after returning from my own trip to Yemen with my husband and children. Eric Hansen caught the spirit of the people and presents it to his readers without falling into that all-too-common trap of criticizing that which he may have found unpleasant.

I learned much about Yemen by reading this book and asking my husband about it later. I still refer to chapters in his book when discussing world events with friends.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys exploring forgotten lands, and for anyone who is happy tagging along for an interesting cab ride around the beautiful land that was once part of the ancient Kingdom of Sheba.

It's easy to become entranced by the people and their way of life, and Eric Hansen presents it well.

Enjoy....

I was pleased to note that I am not the only one who goes through the obsessions and compulsions, but found that too much information was omitted by the author. He seems to feel that he has only had one or two relapses, and that he does not need medication (he's definitely an "anti-med" kind of guy) to get better.

Besides that, he only went into one way that the therapist was able to help him, which left me wondering "How is this guy getting through daily life by making himself wait 5 extra minutes to straighten the carpet fringe????"

Before I read this book, I was determined I needed to be on meds to get better. Now that I know that there are other options for recovery from OCD-- like those discussed by Marc Summers-- I am now even more determined that I need meds.

First, I must say, this book had me completly in awe. I totally HATE to read. I can not by a single book without going from page 2 and skipping to the last few pages to see how it ends. But Marc Summers book is GREAT! I read it from the VERY first page to the last, without skipping a word. I found his story about his trials and triumphs with OCD to be interesting and very informative. I am 24, and I grew up watching Double Dare, and never would have guessed that he had this disorder. I personally have never been affected with OCD, nor have I have never known anyone to be afflicited with the disease. I knew very little about it, until I read this book. I recommend this if you are even a little bit curious about OCD. It is very well written and I felt like Marc was right here telling me his story. I wish Marc and his family all the best things in life.

As a big fan of Marc Summers during his "Double Dare" days I happened to stroll along and find this book. Amazingly enough, halfway into reading it I found to have many symptoms of OCD that I never would have guessed. I won't tell what they are, but ever since I was in grade school I was quite angry with myself for displaying these habits I normally couldn't control. It's relaxing to know it's NOT me that's the problem but a simple chemical imbalance in my brain that's causing me to be the way I am.
Originally I purchased this book just to hear how Marc Summers worked his way through the ranks of show business, but it came out to be so much more. It was a book that defined who I am and why I am the way I am. Although my symptoms are nowhere near as severe as Marc's are, I found his experiences to be something I can relate to. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a great story of struggles and success through the life of show business and/or to anyone who has the slightest doubt of having this disorder. I knew I was thrown in for a suprise! Thank you Mr. Summers for writing it!

You will laugh, cry and be confused when you read this book. This book can teach you that what you think is good is not always good.

There is a boy named Peter Pan. He sprinkles fairy dust in Wendy and her two brothers. Then he shows them how to fly. He takes them to Neverland and shows them to the Lost Boys who live there. Wendy becomes their mother. She makes up rules, like any other mother would do. The boys have to follow these rules. Everything was fine until Captain Hook came with his crew to where the boys and Wendy were. While Wendy and the boys were at the lagoon, where they go every day after dinner, they see a girl named Tiger Lily, princess of her tribe. She was captured by Smee, one of Captain Hook's men. Then Peter saved her. A few days later Wendy and the boys were on their way to Wendy's house when they too were all captured by Captain Hook. Then Peter saves them. Then the lost boys, Wendy and her brothers go home. All except for Peter.

It is mostly about what the people in the book think is right with childhood. The kids in the book think that if you grow up it is bad, but in our case it is actually good.

Peter Pan is a violent book not really made for children under the age of 10 but people 10 and up can read it. It is violent because of the language that is spoken and the idea that killing could be fun. Also, the vocabulary is very difficult for children under 10 to understand. Even if you're older it is difficult to understand.

Overall, it is a good book but watch out for the violent ideas if you are reading it to little children.

This is an utterly charming work. It has been retold myriad times, but nobody else has done it as well as the original teller, J. M. Barrie.

It's difficult to know what to say about a book like this... everybody knows the story. But I guess that unless you've read this book (not just seen a movie or read a retelling), you don't really know the character Peter Pan, and without knowing the character, you don't really know the story. So read it.

By the way, if you enjoy this, you probably would also like "Sentimental Tommy" and its sequel "Tommy and Grizel", both by Barrie. There are differences (for one thing they're not fantasy), but there are also compelling similarities. Anybody who found Peter Pan a deep and slightly bittersweet book would be sure to enjoy them.

-Stephen

When talking of literature, people tend to look solely at books they read today but forget what they used to read, namely the ones we read as children. It is a common misunderstanding that children's literature is to be read by children and children only, but when we come to think of it, which one of us are not children, at least in our hearts?

One of the best books any child, young or old, can read is Barrie's Peter Pan. Although written in the past century, it has something for any generation at any time. Its humorous views at the world from a child's mind left me rolling over the floor, laughing; the exciting storyline kept me busy with reading until the end; and the serious undertone made me think of whether the world wouldn't be a better place if we realised that deep down, however deep, we are in fact all children. So if YOU are a child, which you most certainly are, get yourself a copy and enjoy your ongoing childhood.

This book is a very good introduction to transaction processing. It did a wonderful job of explaining concepts, and gave concise, clear examples. I would recommend this book as a primary text for anyone wanting to get an overview of the main TP ideas, with the Gray & Reuter book as a supplemental text. The book is very readable, too.

I'm reviewing books with the question, "What will be worthwhile for people who are testing web-based applications?" This is a solid and useful introduction to the person who is trying to figure out how a system is supposed to work together, where it might be broken, and therefore, what test cases might be interesting.

This is not to say that the book is written with a testing focus. It's just a clear, readable, approachable introduction to transaction processing.

Transaction processing is a daunting topic, and this is one of the few books that provides the basics in a clear, understandable manner without overwhelming the reader. Most of the book is focused solely on transaction processing, but it touches on queuing as well, which makes it the ideal first book for anyone who is seeking details that extend beyond pure TP.

I like the way that the authors use real products to reinforce key points made throughout the book. While some of the products are no longer mainstream (indeed, some were never mainstream), the fact that real world implementations are used makes the information realistic. If you are using CICS, MQSeries, Tuxedo or similar products this book will have even more value. I also like the way difficult topics, such as locking, high availability and database recovery are given entire chapters because these topics need to be thoroughly understood in order to completely understand transaction processing.

After reading this book you will be armed with sufficient knowledge to make intelligent choices in selecting the right approach for transaction processing in a system design, or to understand the nuts and bolts of any TPM that you are supporting. I also agree with Cem Kaner's earlier comments that this book is an ideal resource for software test professionals who need to understand the entire environment that they will be testing. If you want to go deeper into TP, I recommend "Transactional Information Systems: Theory, Algorithms, and the Practice of Concurrency Control" by Gerhard Weikum and Gottfried Vossen, which drills much further down into the details of both transaction processing and queuing systems.