Sad Macs, Bombs and Other Disasters was the definitive troubleshooting guide for the Macintosh before Mac OS X. At almost 1000 pages, it covered all the basics plus much much more. It went on to become a best-seller: for a time, it was the number-one selling Macintosh book in the country.
Here are selected quotes from reviews.
Sad Macs, Bombs, And Other Disasters
Fourth Edition
A review on the MacEase Web site states: "If there is a single, better reference for avoiding problems with your system or for getting out of a problem situation when it does occur, I'm not aware of it!"
A review from MyMac.com states: "Readers can learn more about what might go wrong and how to MacFixIt than they ever knew existed. Sad Macs is superb." MacMice Rating: 5 (highest).
A review by Andy Ihnatko in the Chicago Sun-Times states: "When you consider all of the permutations and combinations of things that can go wrong, it's amazing that this book is as useful as it is. It's thick and it's exhaustive."
A review by Daniel Jardine at the Amazon.com (U.K.) site states: "This book covers just about every problem you are ever likely to encounter with your Macintosh. Sad Macs, Bombs and Other Disasters is an essential addition to any Mac user's library. Nowhere will you find such a comprehensive guide to maintaining, troubleshooting and fixing your Mac."
A review by Charles Downs in the Well-Healed Mac column of the Arizona Republic writes: "Every Mac user should keep Sad Macs handy. It is the ultimate reference book when trouble strikes and a comprehensive guide to understanding how your Mac works."
A review from Netsurfer Digest states: "This is the newest edition of the single most important book any Mac user can own. Forget the others. You own this book and you can fix just about any problem you will come across."
Sad Macs, Bombs, And Other Disasters
Third Edition
MacAddict magazine (September 1997; p. 89) called Sad Macs "the best book on and definitive guide to Mac troubleshooting." It also listed it as one of nine "great" Mac books in its holiday gift guide (December 1997; p.38).
Computer Shopper magazine (December 1997; p. 516) called Sad Macs "an indispensable reference for any Mac user."
Mac Home Journal magazine (September 1997; p. 51) wrote that Sad Macs "details just about every Mac problem you could possibly think of. Impressively, Ted Landau wrote the book so that anyone can understand it."
ComputerEdge Online (November 1997) wrote that Sad Macs "should be bundled with every Macintosh computer. If you own a Mac, you should own this book."
BMUG Newsletter (Fall 1997) wrote that Sad Macs "is the book to go to when things go bump in the night. Sad Macs is a definite must-have. Apple ought to bundle it with their entry level machines (although it would benefit veterans, too)."
In Beyond the Little Mac Book (Peachpit Press, 1997), authors Steve Broback and Robin Williams write: "For an exhaustive reference guide to almost any Mac problem and its solution, get Sad Macs. Author Ted Landau is the most knowledgeable guru I know of when it comes to troubleshooting Macs, and his book is terrific."
Sad Macs, Bombs, And Other Disasters
First & Second Editions
Main selection. - Mac Professional's Book Club
"...the hardware- and software- troubleshooting guide that ought to ship with every Mac." - Andy Ihnatko, MacUser
"...the definitive guide for troubleshooting Mac problems." - Bob LeVitus, Help Folder, MacUser
"I know of no other resource, book, or software that explains system errors, what causes them, and what to do about them as completely and cogently as Sad Macs, Bombs, and Other Disasters. Having saved my bacon several times over, it has earned a permanent place of honor on my bookshelf. It's worth every penny..." - Bob LeVitus, Help Folder, MacUser
"I agree that Ted's sage advice is well worth the investment." - Christopher Breen, Help Folder, MacUser
"Ted Landau is a true expert in Macintosh troubleshooting, and his book, "Sad Macs, Bombs, and Other Disasters," is an excellent reference." - Ric Ford, MacInTouch, MacWeek
"I recommend Ted Landau's excellent book, Sad Macs, Bombs, and Other Disasters." - Lon Poole, Quick Tips, Macworld
"Whether you're still operating with System 6.1 or are in charge of a workgroup, this book gives you the background needed to diagnose a problem and take steps to prevent its recurrence. - Macworld
"The best book for finding out what is wrong with your Mac and dealing with it. Using a nontechnical, step-by-step approach, this book provides disaster relief at its finest. Whether you are a new or seasoned user, this book is crammed full of updated and vital fix-it information you can't survive without." - BMUG Choice Product.
"With Sad Macs, you'll be well-prepared when trouble hits. This book is like a wise uncle who has seen it all before. A keeper." - Charles Haddad, Atlanta Journal/Constitution
"If you buy no other book for your Mac, buy this one!" - Dennis Walls, MacBooks
"A well conceived and well organized troubleshooting handbook for Mac users, written with the novice in mind but with enough thoroughness and credibility that even experts won't yawn or wince." - Book News, Inc.
"Every novice Mac user should have this book...Every Mac power user should have this book...Every Mac office should have this book...A clear, complete and helpful book for times of trouble." - Robert M. Slade, Editor and Reviewer, DECUS Canada Communications
"[Sad Macs] has given me an incredibly better and broader understanding of the operation of my Power Mac...If Apple was smart, they'd include a copy with every computer they sell. Again, thanks for your outstanding book. It deserves all the praise it is receiving... I know they don't award Pulitzers to computer books, but I think in your case they should make an exception." - Dave Wood, Free-lance Business Communications
"...the only book that Apple recommends as reading for its [Support Techs]." - R.R., Apple Support Technician