Service-oriented Architecture: A Field Guide to Integrating XML and Web Services

Not a particularly challenging book on this subject.  It starts with the basics and never really gets to the guts of developing SOA applications.  However it does a good job of explaining the basics of the standards and key concepts, although it does over use very simple diagrams.  I know a picture tells a thousand words, but in this case some of the pictures could be explained in 10 words without too much difficulty. 

That said I found it very useful and particularly liked the concept maps, that showed how all of the various standards/services related to each other.

If you want a more ambitious book then Enterprise Service Bus by David Chappel, looks promising:

Much more detail, from Amazon follows:

Synopsis
Web services is the integration technology preferred by organizations implementing service-oriented architectures. I would recommend that anybody involved in application development obtain a working knowledge of these technologies, and I’m pleased to recommend Erl’s book as a great place to begin. – Tom Glover, Senior Program Manager, Web Services Standards, IBM Software Group, and Chairman of the Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I).An excellent guide to building and integrating XML and Web services, providing pragmatic recommendations for applying these technologies effectively. The author tackles numerous integration challenges, identifying common mistakes and providing guidance needed to get it right the first time. A valuable resource for understanding and realizing the benefits of service-oriented architecture in the enterprise. – David Keogh, Program Manager, Visual Studio Enterprise Tools, Microsoft.Leading-edge IT organizations are currently exploring second generation web service technologies, but introductory material beyond technical specifications is sparse. Erl explains many of these emerging technologies in simple terms, elucidating the difficult concepts with appropriate examples, and demonstrates how they contribute to service-oriented architectures. I highly recommend this book to enterprise architects for their shelves. – Kevin P. Davis, Ph. D., Software Architect.Building service-oriented architecture…with less risk, cost, and complexityThe emergence of key second-generation Web services standards has positioned service-oriented architecture (SOA) as the foremost platform for contemporary business automation solutions. The integration of SOA principles and technology is empowering organizations to build applications with unprecedented levels of flexibility, agility, and sophistication (while also allowing them to leverage existing legacy environments).This guide will help you dramatically reduce the risk, complexity, and cost of integrating the many new concepts and technologies introduced by the SOA platform. It brings together the first comprehensive collection of field-proven strategies, guidelines, and best practices for making the transition toward the service-oriented enterprise.Writing for architects, analysts, managers Erl addresses a broad spectrum of integration challenges, covering technical and design issues, as well as strategic planning.Covers crucial second-generation (WS-*) Web services standards: BPEL4WS, WS-Security, WS-Coordination, WS-Transaction, WS-Policy, WS-ReliableMessaging, and WS-AttachmentsIncludes hundreds of individual integration strategies and more than 60 best practices for both XML and Web services technologiesIncludes a complete tutorial on service-oriented design principles for business and technical modelingExplores design issues related to a wide variety of service-oriented integration architectures that integrate XML and Web services into legacy and EAI environmentsProvides a clear roadmap for planning a long-term migration toward a standardized service-oriented enterpriseService-oriented architecture is no longer an exclusive discipline practiced only by expensive consultants. With this book’s help, you can plan, architect, and implement your own service-oriented environments-efficiently and cost-effectively.About the Web Sitewww serviceoriented.ws supplements this book with a variety of resources, including a complete glossary, examples, articles, and current indu

From the Back Cover
Web services is the integration technology preferred by organizations implementing service-oriented architectures. I would recommend that anybody involved in application development obtain a working knowledge of these technologies, and I’m pleased to recommend Erl’s book as a great place to begin.—Tom Glover, Senior Program Manager, Web Services Standards, IBM Software Group, and Chairman of the Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I).An excellent guide to building and integrating XML and Web services, providing pragmatic recommendations for applying these technologies effectively. The author tackles numerous integration challenges, identifying common mistakes and providing guidance needed to get it right the first time. A valuable resource for understanding and realizing the benefits of service-oriented architecture in the enterprise.—David Keogh, Program Manager, Visual Studio Enterprise Tools, Microsoft.Leading-edge IT organizations are currently exploring second generation web service technologies, but introductory material beyond technical specifications is sparse. Erl explains many of these emerging technologies in simple terms, elucidating the difficult concepts with appropriate examples, and demonstrates how they contribute to service-oriented architectures. I highly recommend this book to enterprise architects for their shelves.—Kevin P. Davis, Ph. D., Software Architect.Building service-oriented architecture…with less risk, cost, and complexityThe emergence of key second-generation Web services standards has positioned service-oriented architecture (SOA) as the foremost platform for contemporary business automation solutions. The integration of SOA principles and technology is empowering organizations to build applications with unprecedented levels of flexibility, agility, and sophistication (while also allowing them to leverage existing legacy environments).This guide will help you dramatically reduce the risk, complexity, and cost of integrating the many new concepts and technologies introduced by the SOA platform. It brings together the first comprehensive collection of field-proven strategies, guidelines, and best practices for making the transition toward the service-oriented enterprise.Writing for architects, analysts, managers, and developers, Thomas Erl offers expert advice for making strategic decisions about both immediate and long-term integration issues. Erl addresses a broad spectrum of integration challenges, covering technical and design issues, as well as strategic planning.Covers crucial second-generation (WS-*) Web services standards- BPEL4WS, WS-Security, WS-Coordination, WS-Transaction, WS-Policy, WS-ReliableMessaging, and WS-AttachmentsIncludes hundreds of individual integration strategies and more than 60 best practices for both XML and Web services technologiesIncludes a complete tutorial on service-oriented design principles for business and technical modelingExplores design issues related to a wide variety of service-oriented integration architectures that integrate XML and Web services into legacy and EAI environmentsProvides a clear roadmap for planning a long-term migration toward a standardized service-oriented enterpriseService-oriented architecture is no longer an exclusive discipline practiced only by expensive consultants. With this book’s help, you can plan, architect, and implement your own service-oriented environments-efficiently and cost-effectively.