Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:  
Summary: scattered and pointless
Comment: The presentation of information in this book is absolutely terrible. The layout is totally disjointed with arrows, lines, balloons, etc. To be fair, it does contain a good amount of information, if you have the patience to logically organize it yourself. So many other good sources to learn from, pass right by this book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Finally an HTML/XHTML/CSS book that I could make it all the way through!
Comment: I have just finished -- from page 1 to 649 -- learning HTML, XTML, and CSS while having fun and actually being able to create a great looking website from scratch.
For years, I've used Dreamweaver and Flash to design websites. My clients loved my designs and were totally impressed with my sites, but something was missing in my life. I really wanted to learn what it was that I actually was doing. What did all that code mean? Could I be more efficient?
You can tell how many times I tried to learn HTML by the number of books on that subject on my shelves. They have all sorts of publication dates and some of them are just various editions of the same book! I started to read each of them with all good intentions but I'd bog down and never get to the part where they put it all together. It wasn't their fault. I learn by example, not by explanation.
Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML is amazing. I was hooked at the very first page. It's not often that you read, let alone laugh, through a table of contents! The authors have fun with the subject and give you the information in various ways. Concepts may be discussed several times, but never in the same format. I learned so much! Now I'm taking apart the code of some of my websites and turning it into simple, elegant code that is much more efficient.
The only thing that I found that I really wanted in this book was an introduction to how JavaScript works in this environment. I know there is another book in the series, Head First JavaScript, that I will be buying soon, but it would be nice to have more than a few paragraphs at the end of the HTML book about the use of JavaScript in the XHTML/CSS environment since it is used a lot in sites.
Kudos to Eric & Elisabeth (and their hard working staff). I am looking forward to seeing the next books in their series -- perhaps Head First Web Design?
Customer Rating:
Summary: style over substance
Comment: This is the first "head first" book I've read, and unfortunately it will probably be my last.
I actually don't have a problem with the material covered in the book. It seems pretty complete. But to me, having to wade through all the "cutsie-poo" little pictures and notes and jokes and all that just leads to a book that is difficult to pick up and find the info you need. I suppose if your goal is to be amused, then by all means pick up this book. But if what you are trying to do is learn so that you can accomplish something in an effecient way, then I'd definitely buy something different.
I'll leave the "head first" book to the teens, I want my medicine "straight up" and strong, not watered down like this.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Want to learn HTML and CSS...This is THE BOOK.
Comment: When I became interested in starting my website, www.stevechambers.com, I wanted to learn the basics behind the code so I could get my web pages looking as close as possible to how I wanted them to look. I first tried some free HTML tutorials on the web, then purchased several different books before happening upon this one. Far and away, this is the book to use to learn the basics of HTML and CSS.
While this is not a reference book I have it sitting on my desk every single time I code. It will teach you HTML & CSS in a fun manner, and will clarify the often dry reference material you will use after you complete this book.
If you are on the web in any capacity you should know some code. This is the book to use to learn it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A fantastic book that is easy to follow with great explainations
Comment: This book stands above the other HTML books that I've read. It's explainations are easy to follow and complete. The examples are fun and you will learn XHTML and CSS so well that you'll be designing clean and effective websites in no time.
Unlike other HTML books where authors have you copy their information and expect you to follow along, with Head First the skills you learn will be yours.
Highly recommended!
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