Rating: 
Summary: Great place to start.
Review: This book is a great place to start in programming under Windows 95/98/NT, but it lacks a little in game logic. LaMothe's writing style is as great as ever. I still find myself reading just for the sake of reading.This book introduces you to three of the DirectX components, which is what the book is really about. It should have been entitled along the lines "Windows DirectX Programming for Dummies". The game programming aspect of the book really is in the first two chapters, after that, the only real attention to game logic is in his two example games included on the CD. Therefore, get ready to read through the (sometimes confusing)source code. If you never programmed with DirectX or gave up learning it, then this book will get you going. Overall, a great book to add to any programing library.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book!
Review: The perfect starting book for anyone wanting to learn directx basics or how to make a fairly simple game. Andre's explanations are very down to earth, quite entertaining at times, but still peppered with enough detail to help anyone. (unless of course you don't know how to code!) Andre rocks!!!(Pun was intended.) So follow this book up with his new book published on Sep 17.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book but the title is deceiving
Review: I am an beginning/intermediate C/C++ programmer and I picked this book up. DO NOT BUY IT UNLESS YOU ARE PROFICIENT IN C++. It is definately not for any just dummy to pick up. I am barely keeping my head above water trying to make a simple game. The book's biggest flaw is that, unless you absorb material very well, you will probably end up copying source from the book or CD rather than writing your own and understanding it. The book is pretty well written and the final chapters are the best because they give you great pointers on how to develop and market your game and profit from it. It doesn't say "a good 3D game takes a long time and costs a lot to make" like some books might say; it says "A 3D game has an unlimited upper boundary, but 15 months and $750,000 is the absolute lower limit for any quality game." and so on. So this book is well written, but the source code is cryptic and poorly explained. Or maybe I'm just too much of a dummy.
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Summary: Trust Me This Is Well Worth The Money.
Review: This is one of the best books you will ever buy. No joke. I was at first skeptical of a "dummies" book, but I assure the tittle has nothing to do with the book. The explantions the author gives is in plain English (easy to understand). I assure that if you dedicate some time and effort to this book you will not regret it. Trust Me, my word is who I am and I am not lying. If you would like to contact me about more info about this book than feel free to do so.
Rating:
Summary: The best...
Review: I read the first 150 pages of the book and I must say that I am impressed!!! When I was looking for information about Direct X I used to find stuff way to complicated to start with... Andre Lamothe wrote the book that I always searched!!! Nuff said!
Rating:
Summary: best directx programming book!
Review: i must truly say this is one of the best directx programming books out there. The cd-rom is one of the most helpful i have ever tried. if you are a beginner just getting started in the world of programming this is a must buy!
Rating:
Summary: Great book for starting down the path to game development
Review: This book is great! The simplicity with which Andre Lamothe explains Windows programming and DirectX in unrivaled in any document I've read on the subject. What took me a month to learn on my own, browsing through gigabytes of Microsoft documentation, I would have learned in several days with this book. This is by no means a complete reference to Directx or game programming, nor does it claim to be. The book gives you just what it promises, the ability to begin making games for Windows. Andre explains the messy details behind the Windows API, COM, and DirectX programming in a way that is easy to understand. I would recommend this book as an introductory reference to game programming in Windows or to firm up your knowledge of Windows API programming and DirectX programming. Don't expect a lot of advanced programming techniques, that is not what this book is about (hence: Dummies). Andre Lamothe will give you the tools to get started and then point you in the right direction when you are ready for more. I can't imagine getting into game programming without first reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: If you're just getting started BUY THIS BOOK
Review: I wish I had found this book 3 years ago. The author not only covers what you need to know in Direct X (which is complicated enough as it is), but also gives you a Windows Programming Primer in the first half of the book. Most other authors throw you to the wolves and expect you to "pick it up". Andrew leads you through the often confusing world of Windows Programing giving you the base to start with Direct X which he covers in detail in the second half. He gives you game programing tips throughout. The best book I've ever bought. Thanks!!
Rating:
Summary: Buyer beware!
Review: A quote from Andre Lamothe "You must be a programer. PERIOD." I understand a little and can make a quick little hello world, but not how he says to do it. What if you are not a programer. I know that this is a hard thing to teach but if I am a dummie then treat me like one. Don't EVER think that we know.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent intro to Windows programming and DirectX
Review: LaMothe has made a good effort with this book to provide beginning Windows programmers and those new to DirectX the information they need to get started. Any programmer with C experience should have no problem picking up everything they need to create working 2D Windows/Direct Draw games. No Direct 3D here - it's way too complex for a Dummies book. He provides UNDERSTANDABLE explanations of what you need to know. There are nice chapters on AI, including neural networks, among others. Look, you can't create a Win32 game if you don't even know how to create a window. LaMothe lays the necesary groundwork first, and then on to the fun stuff. Don't be put off by complaints the code won't compile. Please! He states right in the text that you have to cast the return type to an HBRUSH on VC++ 6. What do you want from the guy? He provides an excellent game template that you can use with little fuss. All the Windows drudgery is done for you already. He also provides a perfectly usable Direct Draw wrapper library to make life easier. This book is probably his best work. It's cheap - buy it!
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