What do people say about my work? Here's their own words. Not all of these have links; some sites are no longer available, others have moved or expired, still others are print-only. (And, of course, I'm far too busy writing new stuff to keep updating all the old links.)
On the eve of 2008, I am happy to say that Michael Lucas is probably the best system administration author I've read. I am amazed that he can communicate top-notch content with a sense of humor, while not offending the reader or sounding stupid. When was the last time you could physically feel yourself getting smarter while reading a book? If you are a beginning to average FreeBSD user, Absolute FreeBSD 2nd Ed (AF2E) will deliver that sensation in spades. Even more advanced users will find plenty to enjoy.
Richard
Bejtlich, Tao Security,
on Absolute FreeBSD, 2nd
Ed
The world's first user-friendly book on email privacy. Unless you're a cryptographer, or never use email, you should read this book.
LEN SASSAMAN, CODECON FOUNDER,
on PGP & GPG
... this book isn't a reference - it's a survival guide, a "break glass in case of emergency" safety harness.... What I found remarkable was how it was obviously written for people like methose of us who have little interest in router management but whose jobs depend on the consistent, trusted functioning of such infrastructure.
ASP.NETPRO, on Cisco Routers for the Desperate
Even longtime users of FreeBSD may be surprised at the power and features it can bring to bear as a server platform, and Absolute BSD is an excellent guide to harnessing that power.
UNIXREVIEW.COM,
on Absolute BSD
...a well-written book that hits its market squarely on target. Those new to OpenBSD will appreciate the comprehensive approach that takes them from concept to functional execution. Existing and advanced users will benefit from the discussion of OpenBSD-specific topics such as the security features and pf administration.
SLASHDOT, on Absolute OpenBSD
An excellent book that shows the end-user in an easy to read and often entertaining style just about everything they need to know to effectively and properly use PGP and OpenPGP.
SLASHDOT, on PGP & GPG
. . . a great resource for people new to BSD and those who have been using it for years. Michael Lucas has a writing style which is very easy to read and absorb.
FRESHMEAT,
on Absolute BSD
Absolute OpenBSD by Michael Lucas is a broad and mostly gentle introduction into the world of the OpenBSD operating system. It is sufficiently complete and deep to give someone new to OpenBSD a solid footing for doing real work and the mental tools for further exploration. . . . The potentially boring topic of systems administration is made very readable and even fun by the light tone that Lucas uses.
CHRIS PALMER, PRESIDENT, SAN FRANCISCO OPENBSD USERS GROUP, on Absolute OpenBSD
A very fine piece of work, it isn't about how to implement BSD solutions, but it is about managing systems in situ.
LOGIN:, on Absolute
BSD
I recommend Absolute OpenBSD to all programmers and administrators working with the OpenBSD operating system (OS), or considering it.
UNIXREVIEW.COM, on Absolute OpenBSD
PGP & GPG is another excellent book by Michael Lucas. I thoroughly enjoyed his other books due to their content and style. PGP & GPG continues in this fine tradition. If you are trying to learn how to use PGP or GPG, or at least want to ensure you are using them properly, read PGP & GPG.
TAOSECURITY,
on PGP & GPG
Master practitioner Lucas organizes features and functions to make sense in the development environment, and so provides aid and comfort to new users, novices, and those with significant experience alike.
SciTech Book News, Vol. 32, No.1 - March 2008,
on Absolute FreeBSD, 2nd
Ed
Excellent tutorial, quick read, and enough humor to make it enjoyable.
INFOWORLD, on PGP & GPG
. . . packed with a lot of information.
DAEMON NEWS, on Absolute BSD
...reads well as the author has a very conversational tone, while giving you more than enough information on the topic at hand. He drops in jokes and honest truths, as if you were talking to him in a bar.
Technology
and Me Blog, on Absolute
FreeBSD, 2nd Ed
If only Cisco Routers for the Desperate had been on my bookshelf a few years ago! It would have definitely saved me many hours of searching for configuration help on my Cisco routers. . . . I would strongly recommend this book for both IT Professionals looking to get started with Cisco routers, as well as anyone who has to deal with a Cisco router from time to time but doesn't have the time or technological know-how to tackle a more in-depth book on the subject.
BLOGCRITICS MAGAZINE, on Cisco Routers for the Desperate
. . . provides beautifully written tutorials and reference material to help you make the most of the strengths of this OS.
LINUXUSER & DEVELOPER MAGAZINE, on Absolute BSD