CSS Cookbook

JavaScript: The Definitive Guide

Eric Meyer on CSS: Mastering the Language of Web Design

The Zen of CSS Design : Visual Enlightenment for the Web (Voices That Matter)

Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference (2nd Edition)

Web Programming

Cascading Style Sheets: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition

Format: Paperback
Author: Eric A. Meyer
ReleaseDate: 01 January, 2004
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Rating:

Not impressed at all
I read reviews from amazon about this book and decided it was time I read this book. I read a lot of good things about Eric Meyers and people say he's practically like the king of CSS teachers or something.
At first, it seemed like a good book, explaining core concepts of CSS to me. I've been using it for years, but never really had a book teach me everything, I picked it up as I went along.
However, as I reached further into the book, the topics became more complicated and his explanations became weaker and weaker. There are no practical examples. I was hoping to get some insight in the way certain code could be used but instead, this was more like a help/reference manual which made me wonder why I even needed this book in that case when there are great help/reference manuals all over the Internet.

I thought reading this book would make me like Mr. Meyer's apprentice, to learn from the master. It was like going to an experienced carpenter and being told "This is a hammer, u hit nails with it. " and then leaving. I was looking for more like "this is a hammer, notice how if I hit it hard it causes a dent in the wood, but a soft touch allows you to keep an even wood surface, use least amount of energy and still get the job done. "

I learnt more about CSS from other books that were nothing more than basic introductions.

A book on CSS principles, not a CSS cookbook
It presupposes some practical familiarity with (X)HTML and prior exposure to CSS. Meyer's book is addressed to web site designers who want a more thorough understanding of the principles underlying CSS. This should probably not be a first book on CSS. And look elsewhere if you're interested in a cookbook approach to design.

Meyer understands the complexities of CSS and has considerable experience with it, which makes this among the more useful books on the subject. Read this book if you want element by element, tag by tag discussion of CSS. Among other things, you will come away with a better understanding of the cascade, the box model, margins and padding, lists, and the differences between block and inline elements. Your coding is also likely to be cleaner. But if what you want is specific design tips for something like a three column layout with masthead and footer, you need a different book.

Things move so quickly in web design that by the time a book reaches the shelf, it almost invariably has a slightly dated feel to it. That's the case here, accentuated perhaps by the less than thorough content and organizational editing this book apparently received from O'Reilly Media. Its organization is too loose, and at times it is not readily apparent why some topics are placed where they are. Meyer also has a tendency to use certain phrases or style devices repetitively, which is at times only annoying but also sometimes frustrating.

That said, however, Meyer's book can help make the difference between really understanding CSS and just being able to use it. I learned a number of things that I was able to apply immediately and expect I will find more in Meyer's book as I return to it as a reference, which may be the best way to use it.

An absolute must for all web designers
It can be read cover to cover and in typical Meyer style, is easy to read and very simple to understand. If you're interested in throwing away tables and progressing into using XHTML and CSS for web design, this is an essential reference. I'd recommend pairing this with 'Eric Meyer on CSS' and 'More Eric Meyer on CSS'. This will act as a reference for the actual code whilst Meyer's other books walk you through actually using CSS in a variety of different ways. I keep this book on hand constantly while I'm working.