Rating: 
Summary: This Book Needed an Editor
Review: This may be a great Flash book for flipping through and finding instruction on the things one wants to do, but its not a book to read through. If the editor had removed uselesss words (a la E.B. White) the tome would be half its current length. Just removing the words simply and just would probably saved a chapter (e.g. "To use the Smooth option, simply select a curve with the Arrow . . ." ; "To move an object with the arrow tool, just click and drag it . . ") Some of the writing is not far above the college sophmore level and is tedious to work through indeed. It had my wife and I laughing out loud.p 46. "The registration point and not the object itself it the thing that's doing the snapping. However, as the registration point and the object are one and the same thing, the point is pretty much moot." Now maybe the author is trying to be funny, but what's not funny is that this is confusing. Is the point important or not? p 44. "Flash MX prides itself . . ." a remarkable programming acheivement indeed. p 51. "Using the Brush tool is as easy as using the Pencil tool. Just select the Brush tool . . ." How about "The Brush Tool works like the Pencil tool . . ." "One of the most elusive terms we hear as developers of digital media is interactivity. The word appears frequently . . ." The term is elusive and yet appears frequently? I think what he may be trying to say is that interactivity (the concept, not the term) is a difficult quality to define with respect to digital media. This is the product of rushing to get done so the book will be out ASAP, not the product of clearly thinking through the process of how to teach Flash.
Rating: 
Summary: *The* Flash MX Savvy Book
Review: There is little doubt in my mind that Flash MX Savvy is one (if not *the*) best Flash MX book around. Its organized wonderfully, the authors really know what they are talking about, it's easy to read, the projects and the exercises are easy to follow, and it covers a lot of stuff - way more stuff than I thought you could actually do with Flash. On top of all of this, the book is really high quality. The images look great, and its printed on great paper (not that "one step up from newsprint" kind of paper that you see in some of the cheaper computer books out there).
Rating: 
Summary: Not Bad At All
Review: This is such an amazing book. The design and the layout of the book will make one to keep reading it (word by word). Paper quality ranks amongst the highest but that does not come without a drawback. Its slightly-higher-than-average price is something one needs to consider when purchasing, but that was not a problem to me at all. I really love this book especially its 8-page color section which is, by any means, totally awesome. The cd which comes along contains neat features. There are trial versions of freehand 10, director and other 3d software. Also, there is an additional chapter which teaches one to integrate dreamweaver 4 with flash mx to create more dynamic websites. Just as well, all the hands-on and tutorial files are easily accessible. But why 4 stars instead of 5 you might ask? Well, I figured I could use a little more help with more hands-on practices. If you're a newbie to flash, I suggest to you this very book and I can safely say you'd be thrilled and pleased that you did. I know I did.
Rating:
Summary: Solid 4 Star Flash MX Book
Review: Flash MX Savvy is a great book. It has all you need when learning Flash (or wanting to get ahead in Flash). Its got detailed coverage of basic and intermediate topics, ActionScript, Flash & audio, and secondary topics (like integrating Flash with other programs). The book is written well (the author's friendly and easy going personalities really come through) and organized perfectly. the only real complaint I have about the book (which isn't really a complaint, but more of a "what I would like to have seen" sentiment) was that there weren't _enough_ projects. I would have liked to have seen a common project running through the entire book (or at least sections of the book). Don't be mislead, the book has lots of hands on projects (infact, they are actually called Hands On), but they are located at the end of every section, and are sort of standalone.
Rating:
Summary: Flash MX Savvy is a Great Book for Students
Review: Ok, I'll admit it, I've been avoiding Flash for the last few years. I'm actually a student doing an undergraduate degree in digital media (working primarily in Director and digital video), and decided that it was high time I started learning Flash. So, I went and bought me a copy of Flash MX Savvy. The book was organized so well it was incredible. Not only did the authors take the reader through a ton of differnt subjects, they do so in a very concise and easy to understand step-by-step manner. Want to learn by doing? Well, Flash MX Savvy has that as well. As the end of every section, there is an extensive tutorial (called Hand On) that lets you work on a project using the skills you just learned. On top of all of this, the book has a handy appendix that features some great tutorials that teach you how to create preloaders, navigational widgets, and other cool flash things. The topics that the authors cover are absolutely great. You've got your basic Flash skills chapters (drawing, animating, etc.). You've also got some really specialized chapters that delve into stuff that I don't think you would normally find in your run of the mill Flash Book. Being a Director person, I literally jumped up and down with joy to find out that there was an entire chapter dedicated to using Flash in Director...totally cool! Also, the chapter that coveres Flash and video was incredibly helpful to me (as someone who spends a lot of time working with DV). To top everything off, the book looks great. The paper is really high quality and the layout is efficient and well done. The book has some serious heft. We're not taking about some book that uses such cheap paper and printing here. When you hold Flash MX Savvy in your hands, you *really* feel like you own something substantial. How about the CD? Well, now a days, most books have CDs. Flash MX Savvy's CD is full of really cool stuff. Not only do you have the requisite demo of the program itself, but you also have a ton of other demos for Macromedia stuff. But wait, it doesn't stop there, the CD also has a whole bunch of other demos for programs that were used througout the book. It gets even better! The CD also has all of the stuff you'll need to do the tutorials and exercises throughout the book. To top this off, you'll find an entire bonus chapter that deals with Dreamweaver and Flash. The bottom line is that Flash MX Savvy is an incredible deal. I particularily recommend it for other students. The authors are both instructors, and really take the time to explain everything in easy to learn language that is great for someone just getting started in Flash.
Rating:
Summary: The Reviews are true!
Review: The Reviews are true, Flash MX Savvy is an GREAT book! What can I say, its well written, well organized, looks great, and in a kick a** resource. Why only four stars you ask? Well, I would have liked to have seen more coverage on Components. Don't get me wrong the authors cover Components, I just think it could have done with a bit of extra emphasis.
Rating:
Summary: No Joke, This book Rocks!
Review: I can't agree more with the reviews for Flash MX Savvy. Just about everything that is said is definitely true. The book is great, easy to read, witty, logically constructred, and it covers just about all of the basic/intermediate Flash MX topics you need to know. ITs got great coverage on drawing, animating, actionscripting, publiching, etc, etc, etc. Its also got great coverage of other topics that you wouldn't normally find in some other Flash MX books (like an incredibly in-depth look at Flash & audio and an exploration of creating Flash stuff for CD distribution.) All in all, Flash MX Savvy is a phenominal buy that you'll continue using throughout your journey with Flash.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect book for the Perfect Program
Review: I actually originally bought this book because of one of the authors (Ethan Watrall). I had purchased one of his other books (Dreamweaver 4 & Fireworks 4 Visual Jumpstart), and totally loved it. So, wanting to pick up a book to get me up to speed on Flash MX, I bought Flash MX Savvy. Boy, it was *totally* worth it. Not only do the authors write in a fluid, whitty, and easily understandable way, but the books content is organized wonderfully. They break down the topics in a totally logical way. While each chapter builds upon the previous one, you can also use the book as a really handy reference. Infact, the book is pretty much a fixture on my computer desk these days. I totally loved all the other non-corre Flash topics that the book covered in the later chapters. The CD even has a full bonus chapter on integrating Flash MX with Dreamweaver! If you only buy one Flash MX book, get Flash MX Savvy - you won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Learn by Doing and by Instruction
Review: I think Flash MX Savvy is a great book! Not only is it perfect for people getting into Flash (or people wanting to get ahead in Flash), but its content is organized in such a way that its appropriate for lots of differnt learning styles. First off, the chapters have both generalized and (very small) project based instruction. On top of that, there is a lengthy project based tutorial (called Hands On) at the end of every section (8 in total). If that wasn't enough the book has an appendix that features step-by-step tutorials for creating spcific kinds of things with Flash (drop down menus, preloaders, etc.). So, whether you you learn by generalized instruction or learn by doing, Flash MX Savvy will definitely fulfill your needs.
Rating:
Summary: Sets the Standard for Flash MX Books
Review: Flash MX Savvy is a wonderful book! The subject matter is presented in a clear, concise, and logical manner. The Hands On tutorials are practical and well constructed, allowing you to put into practice the things you learned in the chapters. I was really impressed with the range of subjects that the authors covered. Not only did that discuss core Flash topics, but they also "went outside the box" to cover such things as advanced Flash/Audio, Flash/3D, Flash development for CD-ROM, and integrating Flash with other programs. On top of all this, the tone of the book was perfect for someone either new to Flash (but with computer experience) or someone wanting to learn about more advanced Flash stuff!
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