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Edited to incorporate @Craig Sefton's suggestions.

About a book that I admire, I wrote in an SE computer-programming group:

The material seems old -- well, it is old -- because it's been around for long and, while by no means trivial, is well understood. A solution you can lift is published in W. Richard Stevens's superb and unparalleled book (read "bible"), Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment, Second Edition. The book is the rare treasure that's clear, concise, and complete; its every page gives real, immediate value.

In the emboldened phrase, I want to convey that the book is in contrast to other 1200-page doorstops because it has no fluff, no extraneous or off-topic matter. Almost every other programming book should be of 256 pages; this book justifies its length on every page. So:

  • Should I even try to include that idea? Maybe I should just let the contrast go and talk about the book itself.
  • If so, how can I do it concisely? I'm afraid that too many words will bore the reader and weaken the contrast.
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Pete Wilson
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2 Answers2

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Well, I think you've already used the word I would use in your question: concise. I would also perhaps split the overall sentence into two lines. A possible suggestion:

A solution you can lift is published in W. Richard Stevens's superb and unparalleled book (read "bible"), Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment, Second Edition. It is one of those rare books that is clear and concise, which gives every page real and immediate value.

Edit: Based on the update to the question, I think including the idea is necessary. Concise and clear programming books are invaluable, so that's a big strength. Don't worry about boring the reader; you'll only do that if your review isn't ... umm ... clear and concise. Oh, and I would probably drop either tangible, or real, since they essentially mean the same thing (I've edited my recommendation above to reflect this).

Craig Sefton
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  • @CS -- yes, that's right, thanks. I'll edit the Q to incorporate your good idea. – Pete Wilson Apr 15 '11 at 10:19
  • @CS -- right, ditto. – Pete Wilson Apr 15 '11 at 10:30
  • @CS -- the "tangible" was there just for scansion, anway, so to dump that word is an improvement. – Pete Wilson Apr 15 '11 at 10:34
  • @Pete Wilson - Not sure about the usage of "correct"; it seems redundant. If the book was incorrect, it wouldn't be such a good resource. This could work: The book is one of those rare treasures that is clear, concise, and complete, giving every page real and immediate value. – Craig Sefton Apr 15 '11 at 10:36
  • @Craig Sefton -- Thanks. And now I'll give the thing a rest until later. I'll take another look then. – Pete Wilson Apr 15 '11 at 10:53
  • remove "The book is one of those rare treasures", insert "The book is the rare treasure". There's a formal name for this sort of thing, but I've forgotten what it is. – Pete Wilson Apr 15 '11 at 12:00
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Okay, I really like your 1200-page doorstop comment. That's not boring, and it's evocative.

Can you use that?

This is a big book, but unlike 1200-page doorstops, this book justifies its length. It is the rare treasure that's clear, concise, and complete; its every page gives real, immediate value.

Lynn Beighley
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