Programming PLCs Using Rockwell Automation Controllers (ISBN 013094002X)

There's a better and cheaper way...:
Why spend too much money for a brief overview when you can get the best manuals for programming AB/Rockwell's PLCs for free??? Just go to Rockwell's Literature Library and search for the PLC technology you're interested in. For example, if you want PLC5 hardware manuals just search for PLC5. If you want ControlLogix.... well, you get the picture. There are free, high quality, PDF versions of most all of their hardware and software products. You don't need to spend $100 for a little over 300 pages (!!! Geeze !!!) of Kindergarten stuff. Learn the real stuff for nothin'

Good, not great:
Like others, I recommend this to be a part of the library in any maintenance and engineering department that is responsible for Rockwell-based automation systems. It's a good overview and should be helpful in a mixed environment. It is not a textbook and advanced programming techniques but should help you understand the use of data files, file instructions, indirect addressing, IO structure and data structures. There is probably never going to be a single book that covers the whole gambit, but this is about as close as you are likely to get with the AB platforms.

Runtime Issues for Software in Windows XP:
I could have purchased a similar book here on Amazon for half the price, but I chose this one for the included CD. The CD contains a 45 day free trial of LogixPro by Bill Simpson. When I installed and ran this program immediately upon receiving it, it stated that my 45 days had already expired, and then directed me to Simpson's website, "The Learning Pit" to purchase a code to unlock the full version. There I went on to have further runtime issues with the other "trial" versons available for download. I e-mailed Bill Simpson, since he invites people to do so in order to "improve" the product. He refused to stand by either the CD or his download. He offered no explanation or remedy for the problems, and told me to return the book. Do not allow this CD to influence whether you buy the book. Do not expect any support from it's maker. After five days working on my own, as an IT professional, I did finally force the thing to work. My solution was not something that even an experienced windows user could have found. Nor should they have to. Even now, the trial counter shows only 40 days remaining...I'll never get those 5 non-productive days back.

Good, but for beginners only.:
This book explains PLCs in terms of Allen Bradley PLCs. It is targeted at people that have never used a PLC before and does a good job of explaining the fundamentals of PLCs. If you are in this group, I would strongly recommend this book. However, it is not very helpful if you are already familiar with PLCs and are looking to learn about Allen Bradley products as much of the book concerns things such as what kind of devices are connected to PLCs, good installation practices, etc.