Potential convert: Book recommendation?

[William Lindley]

I was at a client's yesterday and they had another consultant installing a 
new server.  He was loading (shiver) XP onto it.

I spoke with him for awhile about Linux... turns out he had worked with 
Linux some time ago on the Alpha port but hadn't done much with it since.

He'd been installing the same XP solution for all his clients, but I 
explained why that probably was Not A Good Idea... anyway here's his 
response... anyone have a good overview book to recommend?

\\/

---original message---

After much thought last night I decided to re-review Microsoft's .NET 
strategy with a couple of friends and I was reminded about the movie Star 
Wars and I have come to the conclusion that the Empire is more warm and 
cuddly than Microsoft.

I have come to the next conclusion that it would be irresponsible of me to 
only use and offer Micro$oft solutions. After going to a couple old 
websites I realize that Linux may indeed be ready for business use, and 
maybe even for general workstations.

So with all that in mind I am asking for help to re-immerse my self in the 
Linux/Open Source movement.  If you could recommend a good book for 
learning all of what has happened in the Linux world, and a book for 
learning Linux again, as I have forgotten almost all of what I have 
learned.

Also is the Slackware distribution still around? that was my favorite. 
 Thank you very much for your anticipated help.

About to become penguin powered,
R.S.