Rating: 
Summary: Lives up to the Hype !
Review: Although some constructs present in both Javascript and Actionscript (like the arguments object) that managed to go completely unmentioned in the Actionscript Reference Guide that shipped with the boxed version of Flash are discussed, the "Actionscript Fundamentals" section of this book is not a retread of Javascript basics. There's a whole chapter on events and event-handling in Flash, including a comprehensive treatment of movie clip events. The chapter on OOP in Actionscript is the *first* real discussion of object-oriented Actionscript programming that I've seen outside of a few posts to a Flash programming mailing list. The detailed coverage of the stacking order of movies and movie clip instances is priceless - Figure 13-4, "The complete Flash Player movie clip stack" is the clearest visual representation of movie and movie clip instance stacking available.The "Language Reference" is basically the Actionscript Dictionary from the Flash 5 Actionscript Reference Guide on steroids. In fact, it would almost be worth the full price of the complete book all by itself. Code is sprinkled liberally throughout. For anyone developing in Flash, this book is simply a must-have.
Rating:
Summary: The only ActionScript book you need
Review: I probably come from a slightly different perspective than others here, for I consider myself to be someone who's already learned the ins-and-outs of ActionScript pretty well. I have a number of Flash related books sitting on my shelf, some helpful, others just recipe books for specific functions. But Moock's "The Definitive Guide" is the one Flash book that will sit on my desk, next to my monitor, ready to rumble.
The reason is this: Macromedia's reference materials are banal, poorly written, and just overly complex. I bought Moock's book just so I could have a decent reference manual, but after reading the first few pages of the introduction, I was hooked. Moock's tone, style, and humor is addictive. He explains seemingly complex topics in clear, down-to-earth style that puts most technical writers to shame.
This is the manual Macromedia should have written. I can only imagine how much time I could have saved from the get-go if this "bible" existed when I first started out. Whether you're an old programming pro, or a graphic designer who shivers when seeing the "Actions" palette, this is for you. You don't need pretty pictures, testimonials, or inspirational interviews with Flash gurus. This is all you'll ever need.
Rating: 
Summary: Good ActionScript reference book
Review: It's all good... lot's of info, examples, details, etc etc...
I do have to comment though that everything you find in this book is EASILY found and sometimes in a way more deep and detailed manner in the Macromedia Flash Help section and in www.macromedia.com Flash support section... I would not consider this an essential book even though one feels secure to have it close...
Rating:
Summary: Dense information yet readable for ActionScript novice
Review: I have been going to Colin Moock's website for at least half a year or so and I was eagerly anticipating his O'reilly book! At first blush when flipping through the book at the bookstore, I thought that it was only a reference book -- due to the small number of screenshots. But after I spent more time reading the book, I found that all of the OTHER Flash books were giving me fluffy pictures and ActionScript: The Definitive Guide (ASDG) had the "meat"! Colin hasn't regurgitated stuff from the web/other books. He actually has well-formed opinions based in experience. For example: I understood the concepts of layers and loadMovie's _levels. But I (mistakenly) assumed they were basically the same. Then with the advent of attachMovie with its own layers, I was confused. ASDG has a great section describing the difference and how they work (or don't work) together. Here, he created non-official classifications: Manually-created Layers (via Flash Authoring Tool), Programmically-created Stacks (via attachMovie et. al.), and LoadMovie (.swf) _levels. (Sorry I don't have the book with me...) This crystallized what the difference was and it was clear to me. Additionally, the book has been reviewed by the actual Actionscript creators instead of being oozed out of some Flash sweatshop book. His website has the code presented in the book like XML sockets as well as new tidbits of Flash5 information. It is a shame that you need a book like ASDG to give you a decent ActionScript reference but I am very THANKFUL that Colin and O'Reilly gave us that reference book and much more. If you are serious about ActionScript then pick up this book first. Then go pick up those Friend of Ed books or whatever... The funny thing is you might find out that you may not want to...
Rating:
Summary: Believe the reviews
Review: Let me start by saying, I'd be suprised if this book gets 1 review with less than 5 stars. I come from a programming background, and have in the past, for whatever reason, found the Flash interface to be confusing and cumbersome. I bought 2 Flash books prior to this one "Teach Yourself Flash Visually" and "Flash 5 Magic With Actionscript". Both books have their merits, but after owning these books, I was still a Flash novice at best. 2 days after buying "Actionscript: The Definitive Guide" I'm feeling like a pro and more or less have Flash at my mercy. :) If you come from a programming background, this is THE book for you. Even if you don't, I'd can't imagine this book being anything but completely useful. The title is completely accurate. This is THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE. Buy this book now!
Rating: 
Summary: Not suitable for experienced programmers
Review: Nice book, found it pretty pleasant at first, but it was too easy to digest (six, seven hours and you can toss it over your shoulder). The real answers I need (mostly dealing with movie clip behaviours) are only vaguely explained or absent and I found the book more of a frustration than otherwise from about 1 week onwards. Having said this, there doesn't appear to be any other title for Flash that caters to those whose programming knowledge exceeds their experience as a graphical design user.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Finally, an actionscript guide that is superb in its production! My hat is off to Colin and Gary for this detail-oriented volume that has cleared the smoke out of my head and has made a programmer out of an artist. Bravo!!!
Rating:
Summary: best buy ever
Review: i dont need to say more, I even pre orderd the second edition allready
Rating:
Summary: Useful for some, and useless for others
Review: As a web coder, I write in JavaScript fairly often. Given that ActionScript and JavaScript have the same background, moving from one to the other should have been a snap, but it isn't and a good book to help the experienced coder get into Flash and ActionScript is a necessary evil. I thought this book would be the key. The first half of the book goes into excellent detail about the usage of different loops and variable naming techniques etc. Coding basics. This isn't what I had in mind. The target of this book is more for the Flash Graphical Designer who knows little or no code, but wants to add functionality to their art. I was looking for something to add art to my functionality :). I won't tell you not to get it, but I will tell you that you should define your position and what you are looking to accomplish when buying a guide. I just learned that the hard way.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Reference Manual
Review: The one you pick up all the time when you need to check out a function, or check syntax. Extremely well written, and detailed to the max.
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