[For those who think that it is just a wee bit too self-indulgent for me 
to review my own book, here is an alternative voice.  Howard Wood is the 
author/editor of "The Scanner" antiviral newsletter.  Note that this is a 
review of the first edition - rms]

Date: Wed, 5 Apr 1995 21:06:45 -0400
From: HRRWood@aol.com

                   "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses"
                                 Robert Slade


"Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses", Robert Slade, 1994, 0-387-94311-
0(New York), 3-540-94311-0(Berlin)
U$31.50 (S/H)
roberts@mukluk.decus.ca
%A   Robert Slade roberts@mukluk.decus.ca
%C   
%D   1994
%G   0-387-94311-0(New York), 0-540-94311-0 (Berlin)
%I   Springer-Verlag
%O   U$31.50 (S/H) 1-800-SPRINGER  fax: 
%P   472
%T   "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses"


Mr. Slade takes the beginner and walks him through the mystical world of
viruses unveiling the mystery.  Chapter One and Two are to get the reader
past the myths and misconceptions of viruses.  He explains what they are and
how they work.  While this is at the basic level, the reader is not bombarded
with "techno babble" and lost in the shuffle.  His easy manner and "on the
same level" approach allows the reader to gain the basics of viruses at ease.

>From that point on the reader is taken into the basics of virus operations 
and how they work on various systems. The basics of ploymorhism, tunneling, 
and stealth as well as payloads and triggers are explored.

Chapters Five and Six get into anti-viral procedures and techniques and
follow up with AV Software evaluations.

The "appendices are longer than the book" to quote Mr. Slade, however they 
are very informative.  FAQs about viruses, quick reference antiviral review 
chart, vendors and contacts listing and a bookshelf review are well written 
and very well catalogued.  The glossary is very helpful to the beginner 
trying to understand the terminology in AV.

Mr. Slade did a wonderful job bringing an otherwise complicated subject 
matter down to the grass roots level to where the everyday user can get a 
basic education in anti-virus prevention and techniques.  I highly recommend 
this book to any beginner who is serious about learning all they can about 
computer viruses and protecting their systems.


                                     Woody