HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Sixth Edition
by Elizabeth Castro
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Book Reviews of HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Sixth Edition
Book Review: Best help when you know a little: It's all about the index!
Summary: 5 Stars
I learned to write code using Elizabeth Castro's books probably 10 years ago.
I've bought the 4th, 5th and 6th editions of this book and I love them all. I've given several away to people just starting out.
Here's why I love the series. I don't learn so well by going thru a step by step process to build a teacher's product. But rather, I know what I want a page to look like in the end and I want to build THAT page. I start with a general idea of what kinds of code might be required. And this book has the best index I've ever seen in a technical book.
While the code examples in the book are kinda small, if you really need to see them more clearly, they're all on line.
Or if you like to learn in order, I also recommend Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML. The examples are bigger and the pictures more engaging! And, you might nee d both as there is some stuff that's included in one book or the other. I've followed along in the HeadFirst books and learned a great deal. But if I want to look something up, the index in the HeadFirst books just isn't as good as the one in Elizabeth Castro's.
Book Review: LEARNING HOW TO LEARN
Summary: 2 Stars
When I first began learning HTML, XHTML and CSS from Elizabeth Castro and her book, I felt increasing frustration due to the many incomplete and/or incorrect code illustrations and examples. As a result of this problem, I spent many, many hours just trying to figure out what the complete code or the correct code should be. I felt that learning XHTML wasn't fun anymore.
I wrote two sarcastic emails to Ms. Castro, venting my frustration (Ms. Castro did not reply to my emails).
Since then, I have learned how to more effectively study Ms. Castro's book and thereby more easily learn XHTML. Finally, learning XHTML is fun again.
I appreciate now how much planning, thought and work Ms. Castro put into her book. I also appreciate the way that the book is laid out, and I appreciate the color scheme.
Summing up, HTML, XHTML & CSS Sixth Edition by Elizabeth Castro is a good book for learning HTML, XHTML and CSS. It is a complete book. It is a book that will serve you well as you journey through the exciting world of creating your own Web site. It is a good investment.
Book Review: Not a fan, depsite the reviews
Summary: 1 Stars
If you're looking to teach yourself HTML/CSS, I would NOT suggest this book.
This book has a great deal of information, but very poorly put together when it comes to teaching the code. There is far too much of "type this:" with no immediate explanation of exactly what's going on. Throughout this book I have constantly had to "reverse engineer" what the book had just told me to type, essentially teaching MYSELF rather then having the book teach me. I should have read some of the other negative review before buying this because now after getting the book they make a lot of very good points. I could see this book working well when used with a classroom setting, where someone is there to bridge the gaps it leaves, but it is simply TERRIBLE for trying to teach yourself HTML. Not knocking the content, but just the way it's put together. I have a high knowledge of pc's, along with some programming skills, but I found this book unacceptable when the cover says "learn the quick and easy way!" Not even remotely close. One star.
Book Review: Great Book on HTML
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the 6th edition of this book recently and I read it from cover to cover. Overall I liked the presentation style of the author. With this book you will certainly feel that HTML is easy to learn and even to master. Numerous pictures in the book made understanding concepts much easier than otherwise would be. I also liked the way the chapters are organized in a progressive fashion. Another nice thing is that all examples from the book are on the author's web site where you test them online or you can download to your computer. The author also discusses nitty gritty details of how different browsers handle same code (i.e. cross browser compatibility is given enough importance in this book). Some of the professional web developers I know use this book on a regular basis in their jobs and have recommended it highly - I can see why after reading through the book. You can find pretty much what you need in this book. I have no reservations in recommending this book to anyone interested in learning HTML.Book Review: a good complement
Summary: 4 Stars
This book functions as a concise teaching reference book. I found this text to be an excellent complement, filling in the details and practical knowledge needed to create working web pages. I started with the Head First HTML book:Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML, then read this book to get tips on how to implement pages in the "real world." Castro makes no bones about pointing out the elements that are "deprecated" (going to be phased out someday), but still commonly used.
The book uses a vertical split page format, one side presenting a concept, with the other showing examples of how the markup actually outputs in the browser. Castro also gives references to many other authors, both on the web and in print. Very few errors in the book. Helpful tables for HTML elements and CSS in the back. I felt the level to be just right for the beginner (which I am-- no real programming experience).