Best CISSP book out there

I have read through the Shon Harris book (4th ed), the Official book, and this Sybex book (4th ed.). This book is definitely the best of the three. The AIO book gets too cute, too verbose, and too irrelevant in some parts. Shon Harris likes to expound upon subjects that have no relevance to the exam. A CISSP book should focus on what matters to pass the exam and that's it. More in depth information should be gleamed from other places. Extraneous information only serves to obfuscate the information that really matters. Then there is the official CBK book from ISC2. That book should be promptly burned in a bonfire. It's too difficult and dry to read to be of any use.

The writers of this book seem to be very knowledgeable of the information at hand. They are able to elaborate and connect the concepts together. For example, Shon Harris throws multiple definitions out there without explaining the relations among them. Some times it felt more like a definition book than anything. Compare the cryptography chapters between the AIO and this book. Harris' book is by far the more in depth with definitions after definitions thrown in there. However, this book's chapter actually helps in the understanding of the concept, building on the knowledge. More words doesn't necessarily convey more information. This book also comes with flash cards and two 250 question practice exams. I recommend reading both the AIO book and this one. But if you have to pick just one, I recommend this one over the AIO.

Other Reviews

• Excellent CISSP Exam Tool
• Passed first time using this as my primary resource.
• Best CISSP book out there
• I passed
• Good for the price.