Essentials of information systems is designed to be a text for introductory courses in computers and information systems. It appears particularly well suited for use in classes for non–computer science majors. According to the authors, the text meets the guidelines of the Data Processing Management Association, ACM, the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, and the International Information Management Association.

The book’s 13 chapters are arranged in four units: an overview; a section on concepts and applications of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics/desktop publishing, databases, and data communications; a general hardware treatment including I/O, secondary storage, and CPUs; and a discussion of system development methods.

Each chapter includes an outline and memo giving an overview of its contents and purpose, an “end-user perspective,” a chapter review and list of key terms, review questions, questions for thought, “mini cases,” and three suggested projects. In addition to these student aids, the publisher offers an instructor’s manual, lecture notes on a PC disk with an outlining program, transparency masters, a computerized test bank with over 1,300 true/false questions, a video course, a CAI BASIC tutorial, and representative commercial applications software (such as WordStar or dBase) by special arrangement.

The book is well written and well organized. It seems appropriate for student needs because of its breadth of coverage. The end-user orientation should impress the reader with the importance of the interaction between users and programmers, and the wealth of examples should make an impression even on students from the most unlikely subject areas.