Even though this book does not specifically deal with a specific certification, I found it to be the most useful book for me when studying for the CEH exam.

All topics were covered with Ed's normal wit and clarity. He covers all the basics of terminology, Linux, Windows, the entire hacking process and the methods with which to protect your own network. It got even better at the end of the book in his chapter on putting it all together. It was like reading 3 chapters of the Stealing the Network series wrapped up into 1. It really gave a full view of the entire hacking process from start to finish with pre-story, tools used, processes used, creativity during, etc.

I know Ed is a contributor to this site, so pardon the bias, but this book is awesome. Highly recommended for any pen testing cert or continuing your security education. By the time you finish this book, you will have been entertained with an easy to read book on what can be considered a highly technical topic. In the end, you'll look back and suddenly realize that you were educated much more than you thought when reading. He makes the material just stick.

That is Ed's gift.

Hope this helps,
Don

I just want to echo the previous posts.  I have read Counter Hack Reloaded, as well as other books Ed has written and his delivery is just great.  Going through his books helped me prepare for the CEH exam and would recommend you read these prior to taking the test if you are going in that direction.  Ed is a great teacher and recommend this as well as other works he has written. 

It certainly won't hurt you to read it. Hell, read anything that will hold still long enough.

We use Counter Hack text at the college I teach for the intro class.  It's a good book.  I even like the follow up "Reloaded."  I picked up the Malware book too and that is also on my recommended reading list for my students.