Cognitive Computing and Big Data Analytics Paperback – 21 April 2015

Arrived on time and fairly good state, which was mentioned on the website.This is a very good book on Cognitive Computing, has a lot of examples, use cases as illustrations of the more theoretical background of machine learning, NLP, pattern recognition etc. techniques.

As a practitioner who builds cognitive systems, I thought this book was very good read. Not because it is a hands on 'how to' book, which it is not. But because it discusses from a high level perspective, all of the diverse technologies that have to be used together, and fully integrated, within a cognitive computing platform. Throughout the book, real world use cases are discussed, as they relate to a specific component within such an environment. What I would like to see in a future revision, is a discussion of Prolog in the chapter on knowledge representation, as it is an International Standards Organization (ISO) AI programming language used throughout the world. In addition, the book has a slight bias, to cognitive computing a la big blue, as there is a chapter devoted to their product offering. I would like to see some additional material added that covers smaller startups that have more innovative technology, such as nTeligence and their cognition platform.

This book delivers a comprehensive overview of the "spectrum" of cognitive computing and Big Data analytics. A must read for anyone who wants to understand the scope/range/facets/topics of cognitive computing. A must read for anyone in leadership who wants to leverage cognitive computing for customer/business value. A must read for anyone who wants to get a head start on one of the most important fields in the future of IT and customer/business value. Not only does the book cover the salient technical topics, but does so in a context of customer/business value. Of particular interest is the "look at the future", since cognitive computing is clearly an important driver/enabler of same.

Some good chapters on WATSON and Heath Services systems. A little uneven, but worth a read.

This book does a good job of instructing readers on cognitive computing: from the basics of what it is -to- its various components (e.g. machine learning, natural language processing, etc.) -to- its growth due to the rise of big data analytics, and even provides examples of projects showing how it works and it promise. As an IBM supporter I particularly enjoyed the chapter in IBM Watson. But really, the entire book is worthwhile and if you have any interest at all in how computers can gain cognitive capabilities, you should pick up a copy of this book.