This is by far the best book on C# to be published so far. Unlike other books this one doesn't waste three chapters explaining the "if" and "while" statements. Almost all the major topics of the .NET platform are covered in depth.

I especially like the fact that the author does not waste time on explaining the Visual Studio.NET IDE. This keeps the focus on where it belongs-the C# language and the .NET class libraries. I feel a language the libraries are best learnt by doing the coding in a notepad like environment-where you write all the code, make mistakes, stumble, and in the process, learn. Using an IDE that produces wizard generated code can be counter productive (although the VS.NET IDE itself is superb)when you are in the process of learning.

I do have a few gripes abt the book, though not about the quality of the content, rather what is missing from the book. I would have loved to see more on network programming and using the xml parsing APIs (something that I use a lot myself). (perhaps a vol II of this books will cover those!). But a book cannot cover everything. And what is covered is absolutely top notch.

....

I was informed by my manager to purchase a C# book, and I set out to do some research as to which book would fit my needs. I stumbled on this title as one recommended instead of another that was reviewed here on Amazon.com Based on the reviews posted for this book, I decided to purchase it. The positive reviews for this book are well-founded.

One of the very first things I noticed about this book is that it has a sticker on it that says that online updates for the final version of .NET are available. I went to the site and downloaded the list of changes to the book. The list was actually fairly short and the changes straightforward. I regard this as a good sign.

The book is well laid out and clear, the first 130+ pages dedicated to fundamental concepts and structures of C#. A 70-page introduction to OOP, in the context of C#, follows. The next few chapters deal with advanced topics including container classes and threads. Next the reader is launched into more graphically-oriented topics. Finally, the topics move into such as object serialization, database access, and web-centric subjects. The progression from subject to subject is logical and smooth, and each section is written clearly so as not to leave the reader in the dark and each presented after its prerequisites.

Example code in this book is clear, concise, and explained. The source to the examples is *not* included with the book, but is available readily for download.

This book is a great start into C# and .NET. It is *not* comprehensive, but it covers most of the important topics that get used regularly. Seriously consider this title when investigating C# and/or .NET.

Glad to see a .NET Beta 2 compliant book and so soon after the release of .NET Beta 2. Struggling through the series of MSDN Magazine .NET Beta 1 articles while using Visual Studio.NET Beta 2 was an excercise in frustration. Surprised to see code samples of Visual Basic.NET in a C# book. Although most of my experience has been with Visual Basic, my earlier C and C++ experience allows me to move directly to C# rather than to VB.NET. Other VB programmers may have a less easier transition but definitely should not be discouraged! Was that the purpose for including VB.NET in the book? This is a brave attempt to cram as much C# and .NET into one large book particularly since volumes could be written. It is, understandably, shy in discussing Visual Studio.NET to any great depth. Instead, the book concentrates on the fundamental aspects of C# and .NET. An excellent low level nuts and bolts coverage of the topics. A very good reference book now and even after the final version is released - assuming, of course, that changes to the technologies are minimal. According to a publisher's note in the book, final release updates will be available on the Web.

This small pamphlet had very few tie knots, three i think. And you can find better examples of them by serching on the Internet.
Tiny, and not even worth the shipping.

I am so glad this book came out. My husband can never tie his tie right, and I just have the time to teach him over and over and over. I bought this book for my husband and he loves it. He can do it all by himself now! Wooo Hooo
Thanks,

LiL' Tex

Remember that great George Harrison tune? I miss him. Anyway, I bought this little book for my damn roommate Warren who used to make me tie his ties around my neck and then pass them back to him. Yes guys actually are that lame. But the book was good for me also because there are knots I didn't know existed. So now I keep a copy in my suitcase for my business travel. Some ties are bulkier than others so it's good to have knot options. The illustrations make it easy and the book is easy to flip through without wasting time searching. Hopefully someday the handkerchief or bowtie pictures may actually come in handy. Knot for Warren of course or George for that matter. Here comes my son.

A collection of interesting essays (and representations of her works) on the artist and her life give the reader good, broad and varied sense about who Mary Cassatt was and how important she was in helping America to discover impressionism. MC is an artist that merits to be better recognized and this book serves a good purpose. - Yet for people that have already studied MC and want to learn more on detailed aspects of her art, this book will probably not be sufficient - Griselda Pollock has written a book i found very useful called 'mary cassatt painter of modern women' which has some well-founded arguments about her works and intentions and is very interesting and more original than this collection of well presented and nevertheless good essays.