first of all., my reason for giving this book a rating of 1 star isthat I bought it on the assumption that it was a beginners book. It may very well be a good book for intermediate/advanced, but since it has been marketed for beginners I give this a rating of 1 star.I have never been so compelled to rate any book, ever, until seeing the positive ratings.My final remark is, though, Eric C. Herrmann may know his PERL, his verbal/teaching skills are seriously limited....Phil