HTML & CSS: Design and Build Websites + JavaScript & JQuery: Interactive Front-End Web Development (Set of 2 Volumes) Paperback – 15 Aug. 2014

At first glance these two books by Jon Duckett could easily pass as brochures for sun lounges or the latest S or V-Class autos, such is the attention paid to presentation. However, beneath the colour printing, layout, extensive use of glossy, colourful pictures and diagrams, together with high quality paper, there is real substance to both books. Indeed, there is a message simply in the quality of presentation proffered by these books - quality presentation counts as much, if not more, for websites as it does for books.Jon Duckett not only fills the eye pleasing pages of these books with lucid and detailed explanations as to how HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery work - backed up with useful historical background information regarding the ongoing development of these computer languages - but supplies plenty of examples that you can easily apply to your websites. Indeed, what some sites seem to achieve via one of those colossal bootstrap CSS thingamajigs you could easily get simply by applying a handful of the HTML/CSS/JavaScript and jQuery methods he details in these books.Communicating complex computer coding is no easy task but the author has an easy, clear style that takes nothing for granted and, by virtue of this, manages to make everything seem just a little bit more comprehensible than you may find elsewhere. These books have a wealth of useful content because they are all about style...Styling great looking websites, that is!

Great easy to follow guides for those new to front end.

I really like the format of these books. They're jam packed with wonderful info. The only thing that may put others off is the fact that they are a little out of date. Google is your friend though and will walk you through any parts that make no sense. For example I tried three different browsers none of which have a "file" at the top but they do have three dots. Also to "view source" it's in developer tools or simply press f12. This said I've found no issues with the code nor the techniques (I will update if I do). To be honest I find it more enjoyable this way rather than having it all handed to you. I like finding my own discoveries and searching out information. It helps keep me engaged.In short these are brilliant books but make sure you have extra time for some googling just in case.

Well-written books, definitely good for referring back to once you know but just can't quite remember something exactly.He lays it out beautifully, and it progresses through the content nicely, and not too quickly as to overload you.I'm definitely happy I bought these instead of some of the others that I was considering, which look like jargon tomes.However, I had two slight issues:1) He recaps things (which is good), but sometimes you aren't entirely sure if he is recapping something, showing it in a different way, or if it is actually some new content. This could be my fault for not paying close enough attention though!2) Some practical examples as you are going through would possibly help the reader to learn how to apply the content quicker. Just something along the lines "Do this now, and then try to create this, using these expressions/techniques etc; if you are struggling, then the correct answer is on the website" would perhaps be helpful. I get that this wouldn't be so helpful in a reference book, but maybe just put it in a separate section, and link to it at the end of every new skill the reader has learnt.But, as I say, they are only slight issues. As a book to learn from and show you things... GREAT =)

These books are just perfect. Both of them. Almost all essential topics are covered.Now, I'm not saying there are no better books out there to learn HTML, CSS and Javascript nowadays (2018). But the books just read so easily, and all topics are beautifully illustrated and presented with example code.Some people call these books reference books. I certainly don't. Because of the way the topics are presented (short, to the point, and lots of example code) this book should be read from start to finish. Read it on the train, on the toilet, in your bed... You will finish them in no time. And everything in there is essential to all web developers.Note: The books (especially the one on HTML and CSS) are slightly outdated in the sense that they warn you about features not fully supported by all major browsers back then. You can probably ignore these remarks a bit more than before. In the case of Javascript, these features are often implemented with a workaround (fallback code). These techniques are still valid today.