I rather liked this book

I've seen quite a few bad reviews on this book and wonder why. I am an experienced user of CSS. I bought this book because weeding through websites, message boards and tutorials have a limited usage. Tutorials are always very rudimentary, message boards are hit or miss for your particular problem and posting to them returns an answer a little too late when on a strict deadline, and web sites are too tailored to a particular problem.

This book gives a good overview of CSS and all of its contructs, from the first working model to new recommendations that haven't been adopted by a standards group. Its gives a summary on all properties and their adoption by differnt browser/OSs, and gives examples of proper application of the properties. It also explains some of the quirks and work-arounds with CSS which is a subject that could be a book in itself.

As a reference, I find it complete, but difficult to access information. It requires a bit of hunting because the index isn't thorough. I actually find it easier to use the TOC instead which is not a compliment.

If you are new to CSS, this book could serve you if you are a patient person. If you are a novice, this book would probably serve you better. If you are an expert, you may get a couple techniques out of this book, but if you're looking for a quick reference, this book will not serve you. It would possibly open your eyes to some techniques, especially with CSS2-3 and IE specific elements, although the execution of IE elements in this book are not streamlines.

Other Reviews

• Good for in-depth material
• I rather liked this book
• Terribly disappointing
• More Disappointing On Every Reread
• Worthless to the core