Rating: 
Summary: The best way to learn C++
Review: Thinking in C++ is absolutely the best, most comprehensive introduction to C++ ever written. It does what all C++ books should do, teach you only the basic stuff from C you need to know, as well as explain poor programming techniques used in C that is much better implemented in C++. This book starts from simple procedural programming basics which beginners need to know, then works up to object-based programming and then to the basics of object-oriented programming in the last few chapters.Since this IS a beginner's book though, you need to look elsewhere for more advanced stuff. Bruce Eckel is currently writing the second volume of this book which will go into much more advanced topics. Just one book isn't enough to really learn C++, combine Thinking in C++ with outside references: I recommend C++ Primer by Stanley Lippman and Josee Lajoie (an excellent source of reference) as one of your main references if you have trouble understanding some of the explanations in TiC++.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books on programming languages I ever read
Review: This book is really awesome -- and it truly deserves the five stars above. Until I read it I actually thought that there weren't any good books on C++ (which is definitely not an easy-to-learn language, not even for experienced programmers). Bruce Eckel achieves to explain all the language features very clearly, with lots and lots of good examples (though he is leaving out a few of the very advanced and rarely used features, such as multiple inheritance). He always keeps a down-to-earth, practical and easy-going style and a language which is really fun to read. It is quite clear that he actually believes in what he is telling you, and he doesn't hesitate to mention the downsides of the language as well. In short, he actually *cares*! He also explains internals like what the linker does, the difference between early and late binding and other stuff at just the right places and without losing his sense for practicality and conciseness. If you already have some experience programming and know some C, you will most probably love this book and have no difficulties in your transitioning to C++. The entire book, all source code and volume 2 of the book (which discusses advanced topics) is freely downloadable. Still the bucks on the book are wisely spent! I would love to attend one of this guy's seminars...
Rating:
Summary: This is the best book to learn C++ from
Review: This book is the first book that I will recommend to people who want to go from a procedural language like C to object oriented language C++.
Lets face it, the biggest difference between C and C++ is in the objects. How to use objects the way they where designed can be a difficult thing to grasp. Quite a few developers say they develop in C++, when in fact they still develop in C using a C++ compiler.
This book makes the transition to using objects easier than other book I have read. It describes the use of objects from the very simple start to the slightly more complex, and it will give a lot of readers the OHHH and AHA experience, when the power of the objects become apparent.
It is an entry-level book that is perfect for self-study. I find it a much better book than the "dummies" and 21-day books.
His second book explains Templates, patterns and the Standard Template Library, and together they are close to a must for anyone who really wants to learn the correct way to develop in C++.
For a more detailed description of the two books I recommend a visit to his web site "http://mindview.net" before buying these two excellent books.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you for your attention to focus, quality, and insight.
Review: Whew!!
What a relief, a writing style that communicates to the many facets of the day in the life of a real programmer. Your words have been a giant breath of fresh air, and I appreciate your approach to all of your topics.
You have consistently crafted tools that act as beacons of light in the vast array of literary babble surrounding object oriented analysis and design (OOAD).
As you know there are multiple dimensions that contribute to good software design, and the design goals of any language is to aide in as many of these multiple dimensions as possible.
Many authors have attempted to write books to speak to the multiple dimensions, but your pioneering approach to a more holistic perspective is both refreshing and fills a deep void in the software engineering community. I appreciate your balance between language semantics, usage patterns, levels of abstraction, and your early attention to the methods movement, such as extreme programming.
I place your books on my bookshelf right next to
1. The C++ Programming Language, Bjarne Stroustrup
2. C++ Primer, Stanley Lippman and Josee Lajoie
3. Effective C++, Scott Meyers
I frequently use your books to speak to the psychology of subscribing to the OOAD approach and have found that your approach is more pragmatic than most. This translates into holding a new programmer's interest long enough to ensure that we will follow similar design philosophies earlier in the life cycle of a project.
Thank you for your attention to focus, quality, and insight.
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