Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
by Elisabeth Freeman, Elisabeth Robson, Eric T Freeman
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Book Reviews of Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
Book Review: Excellent mesh of html instruction and educational design
Summary: 5 Stars
As an instructional designer, I spend most of my day (okay, the part of my day when I'm not playing online Mah Jong) trying to design training that will both engage the learner and ensure long-lasting knowledge retention; believe me, it's hard to do both, especially with technical instruction. Sadly, most training materials (especially technical manuals) spew forth an avalanche of terms and jargon, all with the tacit belief that if you want to learn something badly enough, then you will slog through the mire to get that knowledge. When my local Adobe Users Group offered Elisabeth and Eric Freeman's "Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML" to someone for review, I accepted the mission. However, instead of finding a dry, overly-technical tome that would cure anyone's insomnia, I found a well-written, cleanly-designed book that uses educational design to teach skills in a way that anyone can grasp. More importantly, the book's design makes sure that the information sticks with you.
First and foremost, know that the authors' primary audience is the html novice. (They don't even assume that a reader has a high level of computer proficiency. If you can open your text editor and save files, you're golden.) However, because the book's scope runs from basic html through xhtml, more advanced users can jump into the fray later in the book and still learn a lot. The authors take the reader through basic html- and Web-related terms, stopping to examine how servers and Web sites interact, before plunging into page creation, design, and XHTML.
However, if that was all that could be said about the book, then it would be no more valuable than the five kajillion other html books on the market. No, the true value of Head First HTML is the way in which information is presented. (Amazingly, the authors even explain their educational design in the book's beginning.) They use conversational English to help readers grasp content quicker, as opposed to more traditional manuals that follow the dictate that instruction is only valuable when it's confusing. Additionally, they use images (black-and-white and color pictures, as well as drawings and clip art images) to help visual learners. Best of all, they incorporate hundreds of puzzles and exercises into the book to make sure that not only will you understand what you just read, but you'll be able to use that knowledge. (The application exercises are great because they don't follow the standard multiple choice question model. Studies show that learners are more likely to retain knowledge when they apply it soon after they learn it.)
I cannot say enough good things about Head First HTML. If you want to learn html or the more advanced design elements of xhtml, but have been afraid to take the plunge because of horrid instructional manuals, buy this book. You won't be disappointed.
Bill Bridges
Johns Hopkins Adobe Users Group
Book Review: Fairwell Tony and Tess...
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished reading Head First HTML w/CSS & XHTML and am quite sad that the book is over!
I have previously purchased Head Fist Design Patterns, got through the first chapter and realized that the subject matter was a tad too advanced for me. I need to do a refresher on OO programming before picking it up again. But I was enchanted by the style of writting the Head First authors presented.
So I purchased Head First HTML. I consider myself fairly knowledgable in web technologies and wasn't expecting to learn a great deal more than what I already know. I simply wanted to read the book to get a feel for the style of writting. Wow, was I amazed!!!
I did learn a lot, however, I can't say most of the stuff I learned was new information. Most of the stuff I learned was about the proper way of using XHTML & CSS. And the best chapter in the book for me was Chapter 12, Possitioning with CSS. I can't tell you how many online articals I have read trying to figure out the difference between absolute, relative, fixed, and static, and how the elements are affected by them. Everytime I tried to implement CSS positioning it felt like blindfolded target practice, I could never get things where I wanted them.
Now I completely understand why pages react the way they do when you use 'float: right;' and 'clear: right;'
Yes!!! <-- a 'kick @$$' moment
The intro of the book explains why they used the style of writting they did and it was almost identical to the Design Patterns book. An informitave read.
Every chapter has puzzles and exercizes that are REQUIRED reading for the book. It states that the crossword puzzles are optional, but I highly suggest you do them. You can feel your brain shift gears each time you focus on the end-of-chapter crossword puzzles.
There are also several stories that weave in and out between chapters. I found these stories helped push me forward through the book; after all Tony and Tess, the CEO of Starbuzz Coffee, and the Head First loung were all counting on me to get their pages up and running ASAP!
This book will obviously benefit beginers more than experienced webdevs, but I think even the most experienced web gurus will find at least something new, or a new way of thinking about something. Even if you know it all, you can read it just to see how Tony and Tess meet. I think something is going on between them that isn't mentioned in the book... ;)
Another plus, this is the first Head First book to be in full color!
All in all, a fantastic trip through 'webville' !!!
Book Review: A New and Better Way to Learn HTML and CSS
Summary: 5 Stars
Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
Authors: Elisabeth Freeman & Eric Freeman
Publisher: O'Reilly
699 pages .... $34.905
ISBN 0-596-10197-X
A Brain-Friendly Guide to HTML & CSS
A learner's guide to creating standards-based Web pages
I am not sure whether I should say, "I resented interruptions," or that my brain did, while I was studying Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML by Elisabeth and Eric Freeman. As the announcement says, "Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML" by Elisabeth Freeman and Eric Freeman (O'Reilly) treats your brain to something different." I do know that when I finished, I remembered a lot more than from any other computer book I have ever read, and had a better understanding of how and why to use HTML and CSS.
Head First is designed to appeal to your brain in ways that help you to learn. HTML engages the brain with important concepts repeated in different forms that keep your brain interested. I doubt if there is any other book for learning HTML that grabs your attention better, or from which you will learn more the first time through.
The authors trick you into learning. You think you are learning HTML, the traditional language of Web communication. Later they show you that you have been learning XHTML, the new and future version of the language. They provide you with what you need to choose between which of these two versions you want to use now.
In friendly conversations, HTML and CSS debate their roles, so that you understand the advantages of HTML for structure and of CSS for style, and how together they give you control over your Web pages. By concentrating upon what is important to learn, Elisabeth and Eric Freeman are able to teach you the essentials of CSS and XHTML with all the detail you need to create effective professional looking Web pages in one hard-to-put-down book
This book is for learning HTML, CSS and XHTML, and it works. The authors recommend other O'Reilly books for HTML and CSS references.
I intend to convert our Northern Vermont Macintosh User Group site to make full use of CSS and the Strict version of HTML. After reading Head First HTML with CSS and XHTML, I am sure that I can do it, and I will not need expensive programs.
The only problem is that, after being engaged by Head First HTML, it may be more difficult getting my brain to go back and concentrate on the manuals I have been trying to feed it.
Book Review: A wonderful introduction for beginners, a refresher otherwise
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're new to HTML and CSS, this should be your first stop.
A few characteristics:
* It's a beginner's book. All the basics are here: if you've never uploaded to an FTP server or linked to another page, you won't be out of your depth. If you're already familiar with CSS, it's a good refresher for syntax, selectors, and best practices that'll make your code easier to maintain. As a backdrop to the introduction of CSS concepts, you'll be creating a simple travelogue and an attractive page for the sale of a product, including an interactive ordering form.
* The author includes very little that you don't need to know. Some books pontificate at length about the history of a particular feature and horror stories from the bad old days of browser wars. Unless it's relevant to the current implementation, you won't find any of that here. So much the better; the text is cleaner and more straightforward as a result.
* As a corollary, there's almost no discussion of individual browsers and quirks, save for the occasional Internet Explorer 6 aside. This is very much a teaching book. While you'll be able to create basic pages, there isn't any detail here that will rescue you when a legacy browser doesn't render your code correctly.
* It's not a design book. You'll do exercises and modifications of simple designs to reinforce your skills, but there's almost nothing on usability principles or stock layouts fit for a particular purpose. Why choose two columns over three? Should you duplicate the navigation bar? What color combinations are complementary? Likewise, there's no discussion of modern design trends, like the use of CSS grids for element positioning.
* The pace and writing style match your skill with CSS. You're not immediately thrown in the deep end, nor swimming with floaties in the later chapters. As the book progresses, the author trusts that you've retained prior concepts, and the wheat to chaff ratio increases. I found this refreshing.
You don't necessarily have to learn HTML and CSS even to this modest depth to have your own page. Content management systems like Wordpress, Joomla, and Drupal have dramatically simplified the process with attractive templates and robust plugins. If, however, you're new to HTML and CSS and you want absolute control over how your content appears, I wouldn't look any farther. Buy this book now.
Book Review: The 1st HTML/CSS you should get
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been involved with the Head First series as a reviewer from the beginning and, as such, my review might be biased, but I will regret not telling you how good this book is.
The Internet is fast becoming a means of sharing one's life with friends, colleagues and anybody out there who is prepared to listen. Some start by telling their story using a blog; the more adventurous create their own web sites, and it is that category of person that this book is aimed at. Don't make the mistake of thinking that this book, and the whole series, seems too upbeat and too young for you. This book is for all ages, The Head First series is designed to make learning fun, and though it was originally aimed at the younger generation, I personally think that old age pensioners will be able to learn HMTL the correct way just as easily as their grand children if they use this book - and you will be sooo cool if you have this book on your shelf when they, the grand kids, visit again next time.
The emphasis in this book is on creating web pages the correct way, to make pages that will work correctly in any browser. If you work through Elisabeth and Eric's book, you will end up with a web site that can withstand anything the W3C's Markup Validation Service can throw at it. And when your web pages pass the validation, you can put the W3C's cool "passed validation" logo on your site. A sign of recognition that you know what you are doing.
This book does not require you to have prior HTML knowledge; it takes you by the hand and teaches you everything you need from scratch. But don't be fooled, I was the review manager for this book and even some of the reviewers with years of HTML knowledge under their belt learnt new things from it. Sure, it isn't a complete HTML reference book, and it does not intend being one, but it lays the foundations for a solid start to becoming a true HTML/CSS expert.
I think this book should become the standard text book in HTML/CSS courses in schools, colleges and even professional training centers.
I highly recommend it to all. It will make the perfect Christmas gift for your family, all ages !!!, friends and even colleagues who are thinking about or are doing something with a web site of their own.
Have fun.
Like I said, I might be biased, but I am sure an independent reviewer will confirm what I said.