DocBook XSL: The Complete Guide (Fourth Edition) by Bob Stayton is the definitive guide to using the DocBook XSL stylesheets. It provides the missing documentation to realize the full potential of DocBook publishing. It covers all aspects of DocBook publishing tools, including installing, using, and customizing the stylesheets and processing tools. With this book, you can: (a) select the DocBook components that are appropriate for your needs and budget, (b) set up and configure the tools for efficient processing of your documents, (c) generate HTML and print output from the same DocBook files, (d) customize your HTML and print output (e) discover and use advanced features of the DocBook stylesheets. The book is suitable for new users just getting started, as well as more advanced users needing a complete reference. It is thoroughly indexed and cross referenced so you can quickly find what you need. The Fourth Edition updates the content to the latest stylesheets and DocBook version 5.
What is DocBook? DocBook is a collection of standards and tools for technical publishing. DocBook was originally created by a consortium of software companies as a standard for computer documentation. But the basic "book" features of DocBook can be used for other kinds of content, so it has been adapted to many purposes.
A DocBook file contains no information about how to format it. That information is kept in a separate stylesheet file. The most powerful and flexible stylesheets for DocBook are the DocBook XSL stylesheets written by Norman Walsh. These free stylesheets can produce HTML and print output from the same DocBook files. DocBook XSL: the Complete Guide provides complete information for using the DocBook XSL stylesheets.