Did tried this too David but no use. Are you all sure that I am using
correct syntax for defining document path

<xsl:variable name="extNode"
select="document('file:///C:/book-type/book_meta.xml')"/>

Do
<xsl:message select="'extNode: ',$extNode"/>

________________________________________________________________________
The Numerical Algorithms Group Ltd is a company registered in England
and Wales with company number 1249803. The registered office is:
Wilkinson House, Jordan Hill Road, Oxford OX2 8DR, United Kingdom.