API Architecture: The Big Picture for Building APIs (API University Series) Paperback – May 28, 2015

You could think of the volumes in this series as sections in a large API Programming book. This mini-book is the Overview section. It discusses API design methods and tools in an abstract way. There is little in the way of concrete direction, so readers who want to know exactly what to do might feel unsatisfied. But if you want advice from a 10,000-foot view (which I did), you'll get a lot out of it. Recommended.

Now it's little bit outdated. But however it make sense to know. So I suggest to read only first part of book. Rest is not valid right now

I bought this book along with the companion by the same author, RESTful API Design (API-University Series) (Volume 3). I was disappointed to find out that API Design includes much of the same content of this book verbatim. Getting both books is a waste. I suggest just getting API Design if you are into these books. I guess I should have looked at the table of contents more carefully. Would like to return it but already creased the spine.

Great book for all: Executives, Managers, Architects and Analysts . It is straight to the point.This is very knowledgeable author who translates in very simple terms very complex technical information.

I thought this book was very enlightening. There was very good explanation on designing APIS that consumers will love. Great job.

Great book. As a 25 year techie, I enjoy concise and practical technical docs, this is one !

This book is crap. It's simply a general overview light on any substance.

I give this 3 stars because1. It has no worked example APIs at all. All theory.2. Feels like an extract from a PhD thesis, not a book.3. It doesn't mention the role of HATEOAS in API architecture.4. It does intelligently breakdown an API Architecture into the Development, Runtime and Engagement platforms. This is a good idea.5. It actually mentions somewhere that an externally facing API is ultimately a company's product. This is an advanced concept for non-technical people.Otherwise, it's a good basic overview of API Architecture, but that's all.

API Architecture does what it says on the tin in a very clear writing style ... and I’m very much looking forward to reading API Design.

Good for beginners. Gives you good information about Architecture. Bit costly.

To simple for me, the only topic I guess was useful, was some comparison of yaml vs raml, but too superficial too. Thanks!

As an introductory book it has all the basics and very clear language

The book is well written but lacks substance and fails to deliver an overview of the architectural challenges surrounding API design. For example, no discussion on asynchronous integration styles. Not recommended.