SQL Server 2005's Analysis Services (herein SSAS 2005) is challenging enough to merit it's own technical guide. Therefore, other popular books which attempt to cover SSAS 2005 along with other topics -- like Integration Services and Reporting Services, let along the DB engine itself, must fall short of what Teo Lachev has accomplished here.
The capability in SSAS 2005's new Unified Dimensional Model (UDM) to build a useful cube from complex, highly-relational source data, or even semi-structured data (vs. only from star or snowflake dimensional schemas) looks like a real step forward for OLAP, but the task is far from simple. In fact, some may wish that they had performed better ETL on source data. Along that line, I don't believe another book yet exists that adequately addresses real-world complexities requiring SSAS's member properties, referenced relationships, fact relationships, null properties, and other topics.
Why does this book not deserve 5 stars? Because it's sample database code is disjointed and does not flow well with the text. Usually, I had to read the text and then experiment on my own cube to resolve a challenge. Addditionally, many gramatical errors temporarily hold the reader back.
OK, then why do I rate it more than 3 stars? Because it provides understandable, authoritative coverage of pretty complex material. I repeatedly found that, when SQL Books Online did not provide a needed answer, Teo Lachev's book succeeded.
Although the author's explanations of MDX are good, they provide insufficient context for real skill-building. For MDX learners, I recommend "Fast Track to MDX (Version 2)", even though that book refers to SQL 2000. Once you get MDX (and you want to get MDX), you'll quickly see how you'll want to apply it in SSAS 2005. In closing, read Teo Lachev's book first for an understanding of the platform, and then the Fast Track book to learn how you'll perfect your access to cube data.
