Rating: 
Summary: Prime is somewhat misleading
Review: This book is not meant as a first book on programming, it states that clearly in the preface. It is very intimidating at first, but once you dig in (and consult the previous chapters rigorously), you will find the book a great resource. It's my favorite "intro to C++" book, but I still find it difficult in sections.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the worst entry level books on programming
Review: This book is hardly a "Primer". A primer should contain more entry-level concepts. This book seems to be an attempt on the author's part to demonstrate his vast knowledge as a programmer. Ok, we're impressed, but it does not help us learn. He will give a cursory explanation of a concept and present a snippet of code. The code invariably contains some concept not explained in the previous text, but possibly addressed in subsequent chapters. This is not helpful. The text immediately after the code snippet also does not explain the code example, but merely moves on to the next topic. There are no graphics, no full programs examples, and no organization. Full program examples are crucial in a primer. This book should be renamed to "Advanced C++ Programming". Do not buy this book!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Do not be intimidated by the first two chapters
Review: I bought this book a few months ago. I was put off by its girth, and I didn't really pick it up till a week ago. In retrospect, it is really useful. I want to learn C++ in a rigorous manner. The exercises in the book really help me to understand the concepts in the text. I bought Bjarne Stroutstrup's book and I thought spent too much time extolling the language's virtues. We all know that we have to learn C++. Authors should edit out the pontification and just give us the important lessons straight. The C++ Primer manages to do that.Negatives: Source code on supporting web-site doesn't really compile under VC++. Need to buy answer book to get answers on exercises (just got mine). Bottom Line: Buy this book if you want to learn C++ and some have previous programming experience.
Rating:
Summary: What book is this?
Review: Cut and pasted directly from the top level page for this "book": Effective C++, Second Edition : 50 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and Design (Addison-Wesley Professional Computing Series) by Stanley B. Lippman, Josee Lajoie So when I order this book, do I get _Effective C++_ by Scott Meyers, or _C++ Primer_ by Lippman and Lajoie? The two books are aimed at two very different audiences, so this confusion could be a serious problem.
Rating:
Summary: The seconds edition is a good learning book
Review: This was for me the book I used to learn C++ 10 years ago. It is just a good book. If you need to learn C++ professionally this is a book you can buy. I also see some things about a 3rd edition, well that one I do not know. This book is more a tutorial guide then Bjarne Stroustrup's book, The C++ Programming Language Special Edition, his book would be a better refence. This book is more professionally then for example 'Sams teaches you C++ in 5 seconds' or something.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: This book teaches you C++, not C. As such, it uses, from the beginning, standard features of C++ (which are just implemented in all modern compilers) such as the Standard C++ Library's strings and containers. It does NOT teach you C, and all the topics that you find at the beginning of C textbook are at the end of this book. The examples are clear, the code is well written, and yes, serious programmers DO write lines like: inline int& qrst( int i, float f ); However, this book is not for complete novices to computers and does not teach you how to run your tools. For that, this book, together with a modern compiler, and a person that you can ask questions, is the best thing to learn C++.
Rating:
Summary: Not for beginners, not for reference.
Review: 8 years ago, my professor used it as textbook to teach us computer students C++. I couldn't understand the book. I hated Lippman. I somewhat doubted my intelligence. Having programmed 8 years in C/C++, I can read it all right. But it's not well organized to be used as reference. One thing is for sure now. It's not me; it's the author.
Rating:
Summary: One star rating is too good for this book.
Review: The authors of the book should be band from writing books. They did not present the material in a logical manner. Instead of fully explaining each subject item or object the author chooses to added a little information here and more later, and then even more much later on. The author constantly says we will talk more about that later. It should not be that way. Pick a topic and don't leave it until it is fully explained. I went to the bookstore to buy a better book to teach C++. I looked through about 20 books and did not find a bad book. Out of all the books on C++ on the market this book is the worst. One thing that a computer book should always be is a good reference book. This book can not be used as a reference book because so much of its information on any single topic is scattered throughout the book. Not only can the authors not write a book they can't write C++ programs either. I typed in programs from book and downloaded the programs from the publishers web site and they don't work. The author clearly states in the preface of the book that the reader of this book needs to have previous programming experience. What the author failed to say is that the reader of this book needs to have already mastered C++ before they will be able to remotely have a chance at understanding this book. In case you can't tell I did not like the book.
Rating:
Summary: this book is not a primer, nor a decent reference item
Review: this book is completely useless. it is nowhere near a primer, yet lacks enough substance for a reference book.. instead it lingers somewhere in the middle serving no purpose what-so-ever. i wish i hadn't bought this book, it's a waste of money.
Rating:
Summary: A very complete book on C++
Review: This book does a very good job of explaining the facets of the C++ programming language in detail, but, at the same time, in plain english. I do have to say that the order in which the author chooses to present some of his topics is a bit peculiar, but if this isn't your first object-oriented programming language, then you should have no trouble adjusting. Very complete and a heck-of-a-lot more readable then "The C++ Programming Language."
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