Picture the scene, a couple of people in a public house, one a publisher, the other a computer buff. The publisher says to the buff: "How do you feel about writing a book on databases for the uninitiated?"

"No problem! How many pages do you want?"

"About 130."

"Ok. I'll have it to you next week."

I hope this book wasn't commissioned in that way but after reading it I can only say that the execution falls way below intention. It seems such a shame that a topic like this is treated so badly and is more likely to turn people off the use of databases as a useful tool on microcomputers.

The woefully poor illustrations and captions look more like page fillers than useful devices to enhance the text. Ah, the text! Well, this is better but still weak - it appears to be aimed primarily at 8-year-old computer owners (and even they would find it boring!) but performs quantum jumps to the level of the cognoscenti. This is not a good writing technique.

The inference from the title is that your computer will make you money by teaching you a series of database handling methods in a fun way - it doesn't! The best it does is point out the things that databases can be, and are, used for without going into the detail required for the topic. For example, Payroll is covered in all of five and a bit pages, two of which tell you who to contact to find out about tax calculations. Anyone who has had to deal with that sort of program would find this treatment just a little facile.

This book wastes a golden opportunity to increase computer literacy among micro users - and, at the price, forget it!