Back in August, I had an opportunity to preview the manuscript of The Build Master, Microsoft's Software Configuration Management Best Practices, by Vincent Maraia.  This is not a dry book at all.  Vince obviously is an intellectual guy and can articulate in entertaining form.  This book is a quick read but has lots of nuggets about how the build process should work, life in general, and how things work in the world of Microsoft.  Even though the background of it is Microsoft's build process, Vince explains in a way that can be applied anywhere.  He even adds some connections to VSTS.  Plus, he has these interesting side bars that cover a variety of technical and business topics.  Each of the 18 chapters concludes with a recommendation section.

So, I recommend this book!  It's a great read if you are in a environment that is suffering from software development deficiencies.

I'm also on the quote page:  "If you think compiling your application is a build process, then this book is for you. Vince gives us a real look at the build process. With his extensive experience in the area at Microsoft, a reader will get a look in at the Microsoft machine and also how a mature build process should work. This is a must read for anyone doing serious software development."

—Jon Box, Microsoft Regional Director, ProTech Systems Group