The Second Edition of this classic text introduces the main methods, techniques, and issues involved in carrying out multilevel modeling and analysis. Snijders and Boskers' book is an applied, authoritative, and accessible introduction to the topic, providing readers with a clear conceptual and practical understanding of all the main issues involved in designing multilevel studies and conducting multilevel analysis. This book has been comprehensively revised and updated since the last edition, and now includes guides to modeling using HLM, MLwiN, SAS, Stata including GLLAMM, R, SPSS, Mplus, WinBugs, Latent Gold, and Mix.
I read the first edition about 15 years ago when trying to learn linear regression with random effects on my own. I first read Hierarchical Linear Models: Applications and Data Analysis Methods, which easier to understand. I think reading the book by Snijders and Bosker only after going through that other simpler book helped me pick up more from the second, somewhat more advanced book. I recommend both books enthusiastically, but consider the book bij Snijders and Bisker best used as a next-level resource rather than as a starting point for self-learners.
As an introduction to the topic, it was serviceable. Several times I was frustrated by its vagueness-the notation for some of the equations is confusing, and the authors would have done well to introduce their notation a little better. I also found their occasional use of Latin phrases frustrating; there was no reason to use phrases like "inter alia" when "among other things" would have sufficed.
On the other hand, its one of the only books on the topic, and it hits most of the theory necessary. I found Multilevel and Longitudinal Modeling with IBM SPSS to be a necessary companion; it has much less theory and clearly explains the interpretation of SPSS results.
After reading this, I think I'll be able to actually perform the analysis. That being said, it was a tough read. But that's mostly due to the content, not the writing. I think it's a good textbook for statisticians - not for beginners (despite the author's claim that you don't need to have prior knowledge of statistics to read it).