Shunned by some people as a confusing and strange combination of cyberworld theory and endless panty shots, Ghost in the Shell 2 is a strange beast. But if you're into hypernetworked technology, you'll love this book. I find myself staring at network images and user interface elements and thinking "THAT will actually be real in 2035," which is when the book is based. So if you think in terms of networks and systems and all the different ways we will be using and seeing them, you will like this book a lot.
The story was totally convoluted and seemed like it was only really there as an excuse to string all the cool pictures together. But after a few reads I finally got it, and this finally hammered in the missing piece in my understanding of Shirow's vision of an all-encompassing digital network which is rapidly becoming the world we live in.
What I wish for now is a full book on Shirow's ideas of the future. He is thinking on a level beyond most scientists, philosophers, criminologists, and technologists. He is thinking of a world that is a natural extension of our world. These thoughts are riddled throughout the story and in notes on the bottom and sides of numerous pages. He casually mentions very profound things in passing, like about networked electrical systems for homes and how digital communication is "seen." One of his more popular concepts is about how cybernetic implants have benefits but complications, such as bugs, virus attacks, false memories, and hacks of everything from mental control to body motion. Most of these things are found in the Ghost in the Shell movies, television anime, and other comics (GITS 1 and 1.5) but are really given the full treatment in this book.
But then again, you have to deal with all the panty shots. Like, two or three per page, for 200 or so pages. Now if you're into that, plus all the stuff I just ranted about above, then you are REALLY going to like this book.