Rating: 
Summary: Over 1,100 pages of Gookin's Jokes (and little C)
Review: Want to learn C? Good! If you have an IQ above the mid-ninties, buy "The C Programming Language" by Kernighan and Ritchie instead.At least K&R are direct about it. I realized that after 62 pages that the only function I had seen was 'printf' and that Gookin hadn't even explained it. K&R show about ten times the material in about half the space. Gookin wastes time and space explaining how to make changes depending on your environment (Microsoft, Borland, and Generic compiler), mostly things that you could find in the help files or documentation. Gookin also wastes time being funny (I picture him chuckling to himself as he changes K&R's famous first program from "hello, world!" to "Goodbye, cruel world!") Bottom line: overhumorous and little programming get you $5 of C from a (two-)book set. I feel like I just pulled out the money and a lighter and...
Rating: 
Summary: A+ for beginners D+ for anyone with any experience
Review: If you have no previous experience programming whatsoever, then this is the C book for you. As an illustration, my programming experience was in Atari and Apple Basic (anyone remember the Atari 400 or the Apple IIe?), and never proceeded past 1984. Clearly I have minimal experience to say the least. While this book did contain some useful information for me, but nothing that I could not get from and number of on-line tutorals....
Rating: 
Summary: Best beginning C book I read
Review: I read this book about a year ago, but I must recommend it. It was the first programming book that made since to me. This books is great if your just learning the C language, but if you already know it this book will not help you.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Place to Start
Review: Overall, this two volume set does a very good job of easing the reader into the various rules and constructs of C programming. The examples are easy to follow, and the chapters generally flow together well, keeping the student interested (rather than making him/her more and more frustrated). Also the author has a sense of humor, which he is none to shy about using. However, I have two complaints: 1. The afore-mentioned humor is used a little too liberally. It can be distracting when you're trying to get your head around some of the more difficult concepts and the author interjects with random humor. I find this to be a little gratituitous, even though I like the author's style in general. This is C programming, not the Gong Show ( I think I just dated myself). 2. The cover or snyopsis of this book needs to describe the target audience more clearly. This is not just for people learning C, it's for people learning C on a Microsoft or Borland compiler (read: Windows only). For those learning C on a UNIX or Macintosh platform, there are several examples used in the book that will result in errors if you don't know which header files to use (in place of the ones the book suggest). Ultimately, it's good practice to find out which header files are needed for your platform and your programs, but I wish the author would've added some Mac and UNIX-specific bulletins throughout the book. All in all though, this two volume set is a good way to learn C if you're using a Windows-based compiler. I am not a programmer by trade, but I got through the first volume (494 pages) in less than a week. That said, if you are of sound mind and perhaps a little daring, I would recommend the ANSI C "Bible" by Kernighan and Ritchie as an alternative to Gookin's book. While there isn't as much hand-holding by any means, the examples are equally good and the topics flow together a little more logically. That's to say nothing of the fact that the book is considered to be THE definitive language reference for ANSI C.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I am an office administrator with a degree in Kinesiology...no programming background at all. These books have made learning how to program quite simple. I also used "Visual C++ for Dummies" in conjunction since I was using Microsoft Visual Studio for my IDE. I definately receommend these to anyone who is a beginner. The quizzes through the chapters let me know what I need to go back and look at again before moving on. The "final exams" at the end of the chapters helped me monitor my progress. My boss has even been impressed with my success in teaching myself! The book even lets you know when you should take a break if the next section is going to be long. I refer back to these books frequently to lists of keywords, numeric data types, etc. "Dummies" helped a lot!! (I hope to write a program that deals with weight management and body composition...I'm on my way!)
Rating:
Summary: THE very best C book for starters...ever
Review: This book is amazing, it teaches C in a way that you can understand; with either little knowledge of programming or absolutly none, this book is the best out there. Start to finish I read this book like it was a novel, lol I wanted to keep reading and find out what others things I could do! Also: pick up his second volume, C for dummies Volume 2 while you are at it, it picks up where this one left off with more advanced topics such as pointers.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding - Literally
Review: This is an incredible book and covers tons of material on C - and what he can't fit in the book you can find on his webpage at http://www.c-for-dummies.com This is a bright funny and enlightining book and I would recommmend it to anyone who wants to program or who wants to go on to C++. The best part of it all - you don't need to know anything bout progamming before you begin - you go straight out wih a breif explaination of what you're getting into at the beginning. Great for beginners - excellent resource for novices.
Rating:
Summary: Beginners Best
Review: This book is a must for people who want's to write C. Also, best for Beginners too. This was the first book that kinda came in mind because I just looked through the bookstore and flipped through a couple of pages. I found this book had lots of good and funny humor in it. Another thing, it doesn't have those words that they use to make it sound "Important and professional", it's just like today's english. I would recommend this book to any beginner who wants to learn C without putting the book down much!
Rating:
Summary: Best book ever on beginning in C
Review: This book is an absolute essential if you want to use C. Starting at a "ground up" perspective, you can(and will !) learn to use C well and for fun. Teaching with the usual humour and "have fun" idea of the Dummies series, it makes C painless and easy.And Fun! It was very helpful. However, to use this(EASY) language you have to get a compiler :( But the Book was GREAT ! :)
Rating:
Summary: A really great book
Review: This is the book that taught me how to program. I still consider it the best programming tutorial I have ever encountered. Its extremely easy to understand and really enhanced my passion for programming. I would definately recommend that any who has any interest in learning to program (In C especially) that they pick up this book.
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