Rating: 
Summary: Beginners beware!
Review: If you are trying to learn how to use Flash, THIS IS NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU!!! The inclusion of the word Flash in the title is very misleading - should have said "ActionScript Programming" instead. Penner spends too much time expounding on his philosophical mumbo-jumbo and explaining how HE has reached such a level of excellence! Can you say EGO??? I'm not going to say that he isn't talented, I would argue strongly to the contrary. But, I didn't buy the book to learn about Robert Penner, I bought the book to learn about Flash programming. He does have some very well written ActionScript classes that address the physics of animation. If you've never been exposed to a physics class before, he does a pretty nice job summarizing the topic and how it applies to motion. This book should help a programmer who knows Flash, but not the physics of motion. He does not, however, give you examples to actually tie the classes into Flash or how to format an ActionScript file. If only he had included a chapter on how to incorporate his code into Flash, it would have been a much better book. If you are looking for a book to learn Flash, don't stop here - come back after you've found one.
Rating: 
Summary: Where have you been all my (flash) life...
Review: Incredible... I have read countless books on flash and specially on actionscript. Each has built up my understanding. This book has finally put it all into perspective. The examples are completely explained down to the thought process involved in coming up with the solution. Being that most flash designers come from a visual background, the book explains programming in a visual manner. Details like relating the makeup of an object with real life visual metaphors. The style of writing is to the point and at times witty and engaging... If you want to understand how the masters do what they do, you will not put down this book... great job...
Rating:
Summary: Math, physics, and movement all in one place
Review: Math, physics, and movement all in one place. Flash Designers and Developers have been waiting for a reference book like this for a long time. Robert's style of coding is clean, optimized, and organized... habits that his approach and reasoning instill in all of his readers. A must have.
Rating:
Summary: great for professionals!
Review: This book's a must have for everyone, who wants to develop high-level Flash-movies using Actionscript for Visuals. With Actionscript you can do everything you can do with the timeline and much more: particlesimulations, 3D in Flash, dynamic web content, effects, drawing,... Robert Penner writes in a very clear style, starts with his own "getting into Flash" goes thru basics of object-oriented programming to heavy scripted movies (with dynamic drawing/painting, (movieclip-)duplications, 3D, particles and much more). The book concentrates on mathematics, vectors, classes, coloring, drawing, event handling and physics with Actionscript (sounds harder than it is ;-} ) All files of the book are online If you're a beginner in Flash, you'll feel blue with this book, if you're an intermediate in Flash who wants to draw his lines with Actionscript this is your choice.
Rating: 
Summary: Did I forget to mention that I am a genius?
Review: You could get this info on a message board. It might take you a little while, but it would be free. It would be nice to have on hand, though. It's useful information. The post about real-world applications is a crock. If you work on projects and have at least half a brain, you'll be able to squeeze some of this code in somewhere. It may not be obvious at first so just keep at it. Caveat Emptor -- You will gag on his egotistical rants. I did. He could've chopped that mess out and saved his readers some time and hidden the fact that he has a wooly mammoth ego.
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