Learning Web Design: A Beginner's Guide to (X)HTML, StyleSheets, and Web Graphics

The books cover the basics of HTML design. However, you can learn many things about the intermediate topics in Web design, XHTML, CSS, etc. It's a "must" in your Web Design bookshelf.

As from the title, i am a beginner of HTML and CSS. I am reading books to help me have a better understanding of web design when i go to learn Dreamweaver and Flash. If you have read my other review on "Sams Teach yourself HTML and CSS" I bought these two books and i am rating them against one another on how well i learned something since they are the only two books i have read at this time. Because it is alot of info, i will indicate the pros and cons of this book:

Pros of this book:
1. The book is in color compared to "HTML and CSS in 24 hours".
2. The exercises are fun and there are alot in this book.

Cons on this book:
1. I think this book hardly covers any area compared to HTML and CSS in 24 hours".
2. This book is over priced for what better quality you get out of the 24 hour book"
3. Her appendix on code in the back of the book is only 2 pages long, thats a joke compared to how much code is out there and the 24 hour book has 10+ pages of code to help you out.
4. The chapters arent laid out well.


Overall, compared to most books, i think this book was ok by only the excerises that were in the book and it to be a decent hands on book. Do i think this book is for beginners, yes, but it only scratchs the surface. If you want a good reference guide, i would recommend "HTML and CSS in 24 hours" because when it is rated between those two books, the other book is soooooo much better, read my review on it to help you better.

Great product. In many cases, ``beginner's'' guides are no such thing -- just a place for the author to show off their knowledge, but provide little of value to the reader. This book is an exception. Love the step-by-step instruction, practice exercises, additional tips. Have recommended this book to my co-workers

1. If you are already a Web Developer with knowledge of HTML, Form, URL etc, then this book wont add anything more to your knowledge.
2. Most often Web Developers (not Web Designers) lack knowledge about image/icon creation, CSS, DOCTYPE types, XHTML etc. This book gives a good explanation of those concepts.
3. The best part of book is the Part III (chapter 11 to 17) that explains the concepts of CSS. Anyone who liked 2 and 3 will also like Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML (Head First) that seems to be structured similarly and provides similar knowledge.

This is an excellent resource to learn modern W3C-standards-compliant web design from the ground up. It is up-to-date , well organized, well written, and easy to follow. By the time you're done with it, you will be well on your way to being able to call yourself a web designer with a straight face. My only complaint is that the book is physically fragile and the binding completely falls apart even with moderate use. And given how great this book is in all other respects, mere "moderate use" is pretty much out of the question - this will be your constant companion as you take your first steps in web design.