Customer Rating: 
Summary: Fast and Effective
Comment: I own several Dreamweaver MX books, and this is my favorite -- not because it has the most information, not because it is the best reference book, nor because it is the prettiest book. I like it because I was able to learn the basics of MX quickly and in a nicely structured 3-day course. Beck's writing style is friendly and his approach practical, with just enough screen shots to enhance the text. I especially like the "Review" and "Quiz Yourself" sections, which help the reader to build a sound base of understanding before advancing to the next lesson.
I would suggest purchasing this book to get up and going fast with MX and then buy a tome like Dreamweaver MX The Missing Manual for future reference and an explanation of the more obscure features of MX.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A must read!!
Comment: This book is great! The Crash Course format is perfect for busy professionals that really want to learn a new skill but just can't bring themselves to read a 20lb book from cover to cover, somewhere at page 5 I always feel that there is no end in site and I will be reading the same book forever. This is not the case with "Dreamweaver MX Weekend Crash Course" The Chapters (sessions) are the perfect length.
I hope that miss Peck is given the chance to update this book with the new release of Dreamweaver 8. Her work is excellent!
I completed the book using both MX and MX 2004. I did not have any trouble with the new version and the older book. The text is written in such a way that the concepts and a confidant usability of the software is the outcome of reading this book, not a fascination with short cut keys or only learning one way to accomplish tasks.
Thanks to the Author and the Publisher!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Unfair reviews
Comment: I am not reviewing this edition of the book. I am writing this because of a few unfairly negative reviews I see here. When I started learning Dreamweaver 4, Wendy Pecks "Dreamweaver 4 Weekend Crash Course" was the single best book I used for getting up to speed on Dreamweaver. I'm sure this book is very similar. It should be noted that I am a long time HTML handcoder who has started using Dreamweaver in the last year.As far as those reviews who discredit it because it doesn't cover the more advanced features.... What do you expect from a crash course book. This type of book is aimed at getting beginners up to speed quickly, and it does this admirably. After that you go to on to more advanced, and in depth books. I am always disapointed to see mac users give a bad review just because a book is not mac specific. The differences are minor. You have a couple of keys in the exact same place with different names on them, and you have to use two hands to do what we can do with one (right clicking). So what. How hard is that to deal with. I learned the most about the pen tool in Illustrator from a Mac book that was two versions older, (6 versus 8). This was substantially harder because menu choices had changed places in the newer version of Illustrator. It was still worth it because the author gave the best instruction I had come across on understanding the pen tool. When Apple allows me to build a computer from competetively priced hardware of my own chosing, I will think about giving the Mac OS a try. Until then I am happy building my own custom machines for less money with the setup that I want on them. Wendy Peck is a very good author with a great sense of design. Check out her articles in the graphics section of webreference.com if you want to see for yourselves. One last thing. Her section on liquid table design in Dreamweaver was the single best instruction I have read on the subject. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is that I haven't read this particlular version of the book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Disappointed Mac User
Comment: I bought this book expecting to be able to find exercises that would help me REALLY learn the product. Boy, was I in for a big surprise. If you're a mac user, FORGET IT! This book assumes you're using a PC. Last I checked, many people who do web design are mac users. When I got to the first screen and saw that what was shown in the book was different than what I had on my computer, I gave up. It may be helpful for PC users, but if you're a mac user consider yourself ignored . . . yet again!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Hands on Dreamweaver training
Comment: I have tried several of the 5 star rated Dreamweaver books and found them of less value than this book. You must actually work with Dreamweaver to learn it and this book forces you to do this. To really work through this book will take awhile unless you have 100% free time, but it is really better this way. You will make errors and the book has some errors (which makes you think-you can work through these) and there are a few omissions. These issues are not a big deal. Peck's writing style is pleasant and down to earth. Yes, it doesn't cover everything, but it covers most aspects of Dreamweaver (I don't have MX). Actually, this is an advantage for beginners since it is not overwhelming. After you work through this book, you will be able to construct your own website. If you want advance features like transactions and databases, you will need additional references, but you must get the basics. Templates and CSS (basic aspects) are covered. Best of all, Peck has the practical experience to give you what you really need to know.
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