Author: Josie Wernecke
Publisher: Addison Wesley, 2010
Pages: 368
ISBN: 978-0321525598
Aimed at: Potential KML users/mappers
Rating: 4.5
Pros: Highly practical for use with Google Earth
Cons: Doesn't cover the Google Earth API
Reviewed by: Ian Elliot

This is a very nicely produced book. It's in full color throughout - which adds to the pleasure of reading it. It explains all you probably need to know about KML, as long as you are focusing on Google Earth or something similar. This is not an academic account of KML and standards but what works in Earth.

It starts off with an overview of KML and the sorts of things that you can do with it. Then on to the basic use of the Placemark, geometry in general, styles and icons, overlays and network links - all very basic. Then we have some more advanced ideas - Chapter 7 explains dynamic KML including update and times. Chapter 8 deals with large data sets and new data types. Finally there are two useful appendices - a KML reference and one on Sky data, which deals with the use of astronomical data.

The book doesn't deal with using code to generate or work with KML and it is full of KML listings and illustrations showing what they do. Some of the KML listings are a bit on the long side but nothing extreme. It also doesn't cover tools or 3D modeling and it doesn't cover the Google Earth API.

This book will please the reader looking for a book on KML with a Google Earth focus, but without going into the details of the API. It certainly isn't suitable for a reader wanting an academic approach to KML. This book makes KML seem simple and usable - what more could you ask for. Highly recommended.