Customer Rating:  
Summary: Compared to Head First HTML, a BIG disappointment
Comment: Short version: Very disappointed by Head First JavaScript ("HFJS"). Loved Head First HTML/XHTML/CSS ("HFHTML"), felt like I retained everything from it immediately, but couldn't figure out why the info in HFJS wasn't sinking in. Turned to web tutorials (better), and finally changed to Simply JavaScript(Sitepoint), a much more clearly written and explained book.
Long version: Less than a month ago, I knew very little about web design, much less any sort of programming. I'd tried to teach myself HTML from a rather dry text perhaps ten years ago, but nothing stuck. But I had a desire to give it another go, and set about finding another HTML book. I settled on HFHTML -- while it took many more pages to explain concepts which other books treated succinctly, the writing was much better in the Head First volume and I guessed I'd retain more from it.
It turned out to be a fantastic purchase, I devoured the book and within a week or so became proficient enough at HTML and CSS to code some complex site layouts. Since my latest site required dynamic behavior, JavaScript seemed like the logical next step. Given my positive experience (almost miraculous) with the HFHTML book, my first choice for a JavaScript book was HFJS. The many positive reviews on Amazon reinforced my decision.
When it arrived, I eagerly began from the beginning, skipping nothing (just as I'd done w/HFHTML). Did the quizzes, the crosswords, but from the beginning, things were a little off. In HFHTML, the authors show you where and how to introduce new code in your example pages, but in HFJS, it wasn't even clear whether you were supposed to be coding along, or merely just reading the book's examples. And while HFHTML proceeded very logically from basic to more advanced concepts, HFJS appeared to be veering all over the place. I persisted for 250 pages, but had to admit to myself that none of it was sinking in.
I turned to some web tutorials (better), and finally, purchased Simply Javascript (Sitepoint). While it is not a perfect book, either, I think it explains JavaScript more clearly than HFJS, and is better about starting the beginner off with good coding habits, such as keeping JavaScript code in separate files, rather than in the header of the HTML document (something which HFJS doesn't do). It also cuts to the chase of what most aspiring web designers want to use JavaScript for, which is dynamically modifying the content of pages via the Document Object Model ("DOM").
To be fair to the HFJS author, JavaScript is a SIGNIFICANTLY harder language to learn than HTML or CSS. And HFJS does a good job introducing and explaining the types of JavaScript data (e.g., text, boolean, number). But HFJS overall was a disappointment, and doesn't live up to the high standards set with HFHTML.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Condescending, Borderline Stupid
Comment: I'm really sorry I bought this book. I expected a creative, clever (hell, maybe even fun) way to learn Javascript. What I got was a dumbed down collage of random retro photos with unfunny captions, rife with asinine exercises. I appreciate the whole "alternate learning" angle, but this really is not the way to do it. A technical manual with some dry humor is way more preferable to people who actually want to learn a language instead of doing idiotic "fill-in-the-blank" exercises and crossword puzzles.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Just what I expected
Comment: As in traditional 'Head First' style, this book delivers content in an easy to understand conversational presentation. I am an experienced programmer, but up until I read this book, had trouble understanding how JavaScript and the DOM work. I've read countless resources on JavaScript, and this is the first time I've ever felt like I got it.
The first several chapters are very basic, so even someone who had never programmed a day in their life would be able to pick up this book and start writing JavaScript. Those chapters introduce JavaScript, where and why it's useful, basic programming constructs including decision making and looping, and code reuse with functions. Next, there is a chapter on using JavaScript in forms for validation, which also explores some of the built-in JavaScript objects, using regular expressions, and how events work. The next chapter explains how the DOM works and how to navigate it using JavaScript. There are two chapters on objects, the first talks about how to create an object in JavaScript as well as some of the commonly used build in JavaScript objects (like Date and strings), and the second describes how to create actions for the objects and increase efficiency. The book wraps up with a chapter on debugging JavaScript and a chapter on AJAX.
The best feature of this book is how they present only the right way to use JavaScript, omitting unnecessary and often confusing details. The book did a stellar job of presenting the DOM (Chapter 8) as well as AJAX (Chapter 12).
If you want to learn JavaScript the easy way, get this book. Don't waste your time on any other book. If you want a JavaScript reference book, however, this isn't the book for that purpose. I actually hoped to see a listing of the methods available for Date, Math, String, etc., but they aren't included here. Many of the popular ones are discussed, but there's no page to bookmark that has them all listed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not bad javascript tutorial book
Comment: You should think of this as a tutorial book, not a long-term reference volume. While you're going to be reviewing certain sections repeatedly as you gain experience with the code and techniques, you won't find an exhaustive list of parameters for each type of JavaScript object. There are plenty of other VERY large books that will give you all that information. But as a tutorial guide that gives people of all skill levels a chance at success, this book is excellent.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Classic Head Start Book.
Comment: hey, with Head First Series book, you will never go wrong. With this Book, you WILL learn Javascript, no matter what is your Javascript skill level. A Good book that I will definitely recommend. 5 Stars.
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