Guides to Microsoft's .NET technologies abound (see Computer Media, LJ 4/1/01), but most focus on only one piece of the colossus. Chappell's book is different because it offers a lucid overview of every aspect of .NET. Intended for developers and technology managers but accessible to lay readers, it describes how existing languages and technologies (such as ASP) are transformed in the .NET environment and explains the reasoning behind creating new languages such as C#. Touchy topics like the privacy issues created by .NET My Services and .NET's seeming similarity to Java are also squarely addressed. Highly recommended for all libraries.