Increasingly, we are faced with choices about communications devices. Do you purchase a high-definition TV or a regular TV? An analog cell phone or a digital one? A 56K modem, an ISDN line, or maybe a cable modem? All of these decisions involve an understanding of bandwidth, which is a measure of the amount of data transmission and reception over a specified time.
In The Race for Bandwidth: Understanding Data Transmission, the late Cary Lu has provided the material that enables you to make intelligent decisions about communication devices. Given the technical nature of the subject, one would expect a dry, very hard-to-read book. But be prepared to be surprised, since Lu's style presents the technical information in a clear and accessible form. Often, the book reads like a narrative that traces the history behind the technology. The chapters on broadcast bandwidth, audio, and video explain all the advantages and disadvantages of analog and digital for both mediums. The chapters on the Internet and the future of bandwidth technology are particularly good.
It easy to recommend this book for both the communications savvy and the average consumer who wants to make more informed choices about the communication devices he or she will use. All readers will appreciate this well-written, informative book. --Robert Frankland
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