I guess this isn't the best book for newbies. I picked this up because I would like to incorporate AI/Machine Learning into my Thesis. My school does not offer Artificial Intelligence on a semester nor yearly basis (it's on rotation, which means I won't be able to take the course until 2017 - after i've already graduated). I will admit that I have not actually finished the entire book, but I think I have covered enough of the material to make an opinion. In my opinion, the book reads like a literature review on AI.

I actually picked up this book at the discount bin at a local bookstore. I had always been interested in A.I research, and this deal was irresistable. However, I think this book is worth alot more, and provides more insight into the field than many of the current popular books on the subject. This book basically goes into A.I research and leaves alot of the philosophical issues at a minimum. Basically you can look at this as a real text book about the subject of A.I.