From the title of this book, one might get the impression that it will reveal some “magic” synergy between signal processing and pattern recognition algorithms. It does not, at least not in any depth.

There are some sections of the book concerned with feature extraction; that’s where the signal processing flavor should come from. The various pattern recognition procedures are presented in a very basic Wikipedia-like style. However, the databases that are used for audio analysis are described in some depth, and this well-researched information is a useful feature of the book. Several applications of intelligent audio analysis are described in the second half of the book (about 150 pages). These applications are described in a style that would be more useful to someone preparing grant applications than to someone looking for a technical analysis.

In conclusion, this is a well-researched book that presents its content well. It certainly has an audience, but the lack of depth in its analytical methodology does not make me want to be counted among its readers. It is too short for engineering use, but it might work for those in engineering management.