Rating: 
Summary: Don't bother
Review: I usually read books reviews on Amazon before purchasing a text; I picked this book up at a bookstore, and was very disappointed. I would not recommned it, unless you like to feel that you are wasting your time. It's very cryptic and spends no time on significant topics: functions, arrays, loops etc. Perhaps, one is supposed to read between the lines?? Get the Beginners Javascript by Wilton.
Rating: 
Summary: All the basics presented in a set of clear examples
Review: If someone asks me where to start when they want to learn programming, my standard response is to tell them to learn HTML. If they also want to be able to make money from their knowledge, my response is to tell them to learn HTML and JavaScript. HTML is certainly the most widely used "programming language" in the world today, and JavaScript cannot be far behind. Furthermore, neither requires a great deal of overhead in the form of costly compilers or interpreters.
However, finding material that makes learning them easy and enjoyable is difficult. This book satisfies both criteria at about an eight on a scale of one to ten where ten is the best. The examples are clear, very precise in their coverage and in combination cover the features of the language that you need to know. Furthermore, the coverage includes JavaScript 1.5, which does have some significant new features. While reading this book for review, I learned a few things that I had not been aware of.
If you are interested in learning JavaScript, this book will help you do that, independent of whether you are experienced in programming. I would have no reservations recommending it to anyone who falls into either category.
Rating: 
Summary: The Right Stuff, Clearly Explained
Review: Some people are saying this book TOO heavy for new programmers while others are saying it is NOT ENOUGH technical information. As someone who relies on technical books for the purpose of teaching myself new technologies, I should point out that most people have to buy more than one book to quickly master a new programming language. And I definitely recommend this book for persons new to javascript only or new to programming in general.After this book, I had that really good feeling I get when a good base has been established in a new area of technical knowledge -- when the first stuff that came in got laid down right, and then, everything that comes in after that builds easily on top of that good foundation. I am remembering things I read the first time, and everything else I have been learning since sticks, too. There are a lot of browser variation and version differences issues in javascript, and that is a problem. This author copes with it well, which is tough in the chaotic world of fast-changing www standards. I have the last version of book and the Javascript Bible, Gold (essential desk reference with 1400 pages of excruciating detail), and I definitely recommend buying THIS book as the first one. To those who wanted to find MORE information in an introductory language text, I would say that if you have the ability to read a detailed programming language book, remember all its info and methods, and start programming in the same amount of time that I can read this book and start programming while using the longer, detailed book as my desk reference, by all means do so and enjoy your photographic memory. To new programmers who wanted an EASIER book, it doesn't get clearer this, or at a sharper level of just-enough detail. Not to discourage people from speaking up, but readers should remember that a "review" is supposed to be a sharing of informed of opinions -- actually, advice -- to help other people make purchasing decisions. Readers should probably not use this review system as a message board, a readership chat, or otherwise to discuss their own issues under the impression that having any opinion at all, and posting it as a "review" helps anyone. For example, for this book, one reviewer states that the author explains the "&&" operator and then - amazingly - expects the reader to remember it later in the book. It sounds like that reader is looking for a book that performs the added function of making him pay attention, like a book that repeats and reinforces (There are books like that out there. But the handholding you want would make this book too long and too cluttered for an "in 24 hours" title). There is another "reviewer" who stated that he wanted more examples with more context, not just code snippets. Hello, do you know there are about a million downloadble javascript scripts on the WWW, in archives, articles, javascript websites, and so on, including embedded in almost every commercial web page you visit, like this one (for which you can "view source")? Almost every programming book's review section is full of people saying "not enough", while others say "this is too hard", and people who say "there are typos in the examples." None of these reviews are helping others, unless the review is an informed one and states exactly how and why that opinion is meaningful. I'm learning how to read into the newbie-bad-book posts to find the good books, and I feel bad for this very good author that he has been jumped on like this. I think that this introductory javascript book has attracted a greater proportion of liberal-arts web-developer wanna-bes, who have posted these inappropriate reviews on a great introductory programming book. Any programming book would be too hard or not right somehow. No, it won't be a fun read, it won't be easy, and you do have to remember symbols and other facts you read, such as the "&&" operator. There's a reason why the technical studies students were missing campus football parties so they could pass their classes while you were getting trashed and why they are making a lot of money now. I agree with the computer science student. I have read programming books for introductory and advanced college courses and for teaching myself new things. This author is exceptionally good at writing an introductory programming text at a great level of detail with just the right amount of stuff explained very clearly. I am actually waiting, which I hardly ever do, for this author's DHTML book due out in December, for more info about javascript and advanced web page production.
Rating:
Summary: A very nice introduction to javascript.
Review: The book is a very good introduction to javascript. I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Really BAD book
Review: This book explain nothing, is consumed in a stupid "friendly" manner that only leaves you hanging at the and of the day.Not an intro neither a reference or an in depth book. It won't be a help to noone, neither novice nor a pro. Just don't bother.
Rating:
Summary: Too bad I can't give it 0 stars.
Review: This book sucks. There are not NEAR enough examples, and the examples that ARE given are both incomplete (for example, giving ONLY an example of a loop instead of a complete script) and CRYPTIC AS HELL. This book should be used to stoke fires, not to teach JavaScript. It's not for beginners or pros. SKIP IT.
Rating:
Summary: a very good book for javascript beginners
Review: this is a good book for beginners, it takes u step by step and the way the book is written is very easy too. but if u need more advanced javascript i guess u have to turn to a more advanced book. this book is just a start, but a good start
Rating:
Summary: Clearly written, great for beginners
Review: This is a great book which explains all the essential concepts very well and is ideal for a beginner with some HTML experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Great if you already know programming...
Review: This is perhaps the first 'in 24 hours' book I have actually read within that time. This book is really concise, which is good for someone who already knows a programming similar to JavaScript such as C, C++, or Java. This book wasn't cryptic for me at all because I already knew C++, and was great for learning the specifics for the JavaScript language. Unfortunatly, I can see why few could understand this book. It quickly skims over complex topics such as looping structures, arrays, and functions. This book is perfect for someone who has some knowledge in programming who wants to learn how to use it on the web with Javascript. On the other hand, if you don't know programming, you might want to go with one of the 'thicker' javascript books.
Rating:
Summary: Nice book
Review: This was a good book for me. I had some prior knowledge of Javascript and this really brought it all together for me and cleared up any confusion that I had. It also has a decent reference in one of the appendices in the back of the book. Helped me to learn DHTML a little bit too.
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