I recently obtained a copy of a new book, Globus Toolkit 4, Programming Java Services by Borja Sotomayor and Lisa Childers. Yes I know it’s been out a while, but having been through Borja’s on-line GT4 Programmer’s tutorial, upon which some of this book is based, I really wanted to give it a good read so I could truly appreciate it.First off, this book is way more than the original GT4 Programmer’s tutorial, but I’ll get to that. I suspect that this tutorial is a frame of reference for many out there, not just myself, so lets start there. The topics covered in the GT4 Programmer’s tutorial are non-trivial, at least to me. I have been through the on-line version and I sure would have liked to have this book by my side back then! Like my daughter’s stuffed hippo that travels with her nearly everywhere, it is not absolutely necessary for survival, but when you get a little frustrated it sure can bring comfort.As an extrapolation to the GT4 Programmer’s tutorial, this book not only adds a few chapters, but an entire section on GT4 security and it’s application to the information in the GT4 Java WS Core chapters. There is also a section with an entirely new example, a resource brokering system that has real world enterprise applications. Don’t forget the appendices, which are worth their weight in gold as a quick reference to many topics. Like my daughter does with her stuffed hippo, next time I am working with the Globus Toolkit I may just tear the appendices out of the book and sleep with them by my side.Now all the above being said I have still not touched upon what I like most about this book. The very first part on key concepts and the first chapter in the GT4 security section are amongst the best and most concise explanations of those topics I have ever read, and believe me, I’ve read plenty. The explanations on key concepts of grid computing, OGSA, WSRF and Web Services may indeed be just the medicine the confused Grid masses need to make the light bulb go on it their heads. Likewise the chapter on fundamental security concepts which touches on topics including the three pillars of secure communication, cryptography, public key systems and certificates is recommended reading not just for aspiring Grid pros, but anyone looking to understand these important security concepts in a few short pages.If you buy this book for nothing more than the first 39 pages, and the first 12 pages of the GT4 Security section, you will walk away happy. Technology Industry