The 4rth addition of The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects is out (April 13, 2009). This book is a great overview of computer animation and visual effects production. Now, I own both the 2nd and 3rd addition and will add the latest version to my collection this week. I keep it on the classroom’s reference shelf; It is a great for students to fill in their gaps, get a little historical background and get a handle of the over all production process. I would love to have a classroom set of this book, but it is just way too pricey.
by Isaac Kerlow 
ISBN-10: 0470084901
ISBN-13: 978-0470084908
Video about the book and author.
Here is a link to part of the Google Book version of the 3rd addition; it was published in 2004. And here is the link: http://books.google.com/books?id=AM9U6HWQFQgC&lpg=PP1&ots=P7UyZTUqf6&dq=isaac%20kerlow&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=&f=false
