Review of "The iPod & iTunes Handbook" by Contel Bradford

The iPod and its online home, iTunes have carved out a place in the history of entertainment and technology. The iPod was certainly revolutionary, bringing digital music to the masses. But as simple as the iPod is to operate on its own, the marriage of the iPod and the personal computer is not always a happy one for consumers. So many people will certainly appreciate this helpful guidebook by Contel Bradford that fills in the gaps in the iPod and iTunes manuals.

The first half of the book is a step-by-step guide for the novice user that takes you through all of the common tasks that an iPod owner needs to master - from downloading tracks from iTunes to ripping CDs. Of course, iPods work with both audio and video files these days, so there's clear instructions on how to work with video as well. One of the best features of this part of the book is the helpful suggestions on creating and managing your playlists. Today's iPods are capable of holding thousands of songs and videos, but unless you know how to organize them, you can easily get lost in the (ahem) shuffle.

The second half of the book takes on more advanced topics like synching your iPod with your iTunes software on your computer and working with special features like the equalizer. The second half of the book also goes on to discuss several handy accessories for your iPod like amplifiers, car chargers, and cases.

The iPod and iTunes are a powerful combination, but they can be challenging for the new user. This book helps you overcome those occasional stumbling blocks and helps you get the most bang for your bucks. It should be one of the first investments that every new iPod owner should make.