Rating: 
Summary: Satisfies the need for speedy learning
Review: There are many tasks where the largest hurdle is simply getting started. Learning how to create content for web pages is one such problem. Not only is there much to learn, but the material is changing at a very rapid rate. With this background, the proper choice of tutorial text makes all the difference between frustrated failure and frustrated success. While reading this book will not eliminate all the problems of learning web development, the task is too complex for anything to do that, it will make it possible for you to create the modern content you want.
Each lesson is very short and presents only a few new points. In only one or two pages, the author makes the point with clarity. This style conforms to the reality that the best way to learn in a hurry is in a short choppy, one point after another manner. The results are displayed in pictures and the author goes to great lengths to point out the differences between Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. While it seemed a trivial point at first, having the picture of the results side by side with the code and explanation does make it easier to understand the cause and effect.
Short sections are also devoted to cascading style sheets and JavaScript. Style sheets are presented in greater depth than the JavaScript, which is really not much more than a taste. However, it is enough to impart the gist of what the language will allow you to do.
As a web developer and educator who teaches web development, I am often asked to recommend material that will allow someone to learn or review HTML on their own. I teach XML, Active Server Pages and other advanced web development topics and when I encounter a motivated student who wants to learn the HTML background on their own, I suggest this book. All of the most significant features of HTML are covered in enough depth so that you will be capable of moving on to the advanced topics.
Sometimes it seems that the number of books and tutorials in HTML are multiplying as fast as anything else associated with the web. Written for the beginner and right on target, this book starts the process and gets you moving at a rapid development clip rather quickly.
Rating: 
Summary: a very good but seriously flawed book --Close your tags!
Review: I have used this book as a reference source for over two years. Overall, I appreciate the clear way Ms. Castro has explained all of the programming concepts. The newer edition contains an excellent section on cascading style sheets, which is very helpful. Unfortunately, this book is seriously out of date and may not be good for someone starting out. The newest version of HTML is really XHTML, a stricter form of html that insists on closing all tags. The W3 standards body is now pushing that and deprecating the use of html code without the proper end tags. But when Ms. Castro first wrote the book, it wasn't as important to close all tags, so all of her examples contain unclosed tags. The html may still work if you code with Ms. Castro's style in current browsers, but it is no longer the accepted way of coding. Don't just believe me; read any of the dozens of sites that talk about xhtml v. html. This standard just changed a year ago, so Ms. Castro cannot be blamed for this problem. Undoubtedly now, she knows about the standard, and the latest edition must have come out before the examples could be changed. But actually the xhtml standard was announced in fall, 1999, so it's strange that the publisher did not delay publication if only to revise the examples. Another problem with the book is that it really doesn't address browser differences head on. Nowadays coders have to face a seriously outdated netscape browser and an IE browser that uses a lot of proprietary tags. Often good coding depends on understanding how browsers treat things. This book needs a discussion of what style sheet things are supported in each of the browsers. Given web trends, it might even make more sense to try learning xml instead of having to deal with the vagaries of different browsers. In summary: an excellent book, but her habit of not closing tags in her examples is seriously wrong and out-of-date.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Helpful...very suprising
Review: I would recommend this book to beginners and experts alike. While the information in the book may be below the most advanced expert programmers it is well thought out and put into terms that even the most novice of HTML programmers can read and understand. Learning is the name of the game and E. Castro has proven to be on top of her game in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Simple, small and clear
Review: There are many HTML books in the market. Not a single come close to be so simple and clear as this one. "HTML: The Definitive Guide" is still the best, but if you need to get the basics, there is no better option.
Rating:
Summary: Beginners....stop looking for HTML books!
Review: As a beginning HTML student, I wasted more than twice the cost of this book on marginally useful references. This book is well organized and well written. Its distinguishing feature is that the code is highlighted in red and accompanies an example of how the code will be displayed. This is invaluable when working through the learning curve. There are "cheat sheets" for code and colors and other often-used elements readily accesssible in the back of the book. The range is also exceptional. It goes from the most elementary HTML coding through the use of CSS, Forms, CGI and even a little Java, allowing the rank beginner to throw a little "oooooohhhhhh aaahhhhhhhhh" onto their first page. This is a book that will get you started and remain on your desk as a reference for a long time to come. In considering the book for this review, I couldn't come up with anything I'd change....and anyone who knows me knows that's RARELY the case. Ask my kids!
Rating:
Summary: OUT OF THIS WORLD!
Review: I went through 5 or 6 different HTML books looking for one that would give me quick-and-dirty examples, without treating me like an idiot. This is by FAR the best book I have ever laid hands upon where HTML is concerned. Not only is it accessible, clear, and concise, it is also an absolute STEAL at $19.99, minus the Amazon discount. I like this book so much ... Elizabeth Castro's work helped me get through my final project, so I owe it to her to give this book the high praise it deserves.
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended by working professionals in the field!
Review: I work - as a writer - at a company that designs Web sites for large, prestigious clients. When I decided to learn HTML this is the book that came unhesitatingly recommended by nearly everyone in the Web development department. Clear, concise, and you won't get a hernia picking the thing up. Other tomes may look more impressive, have more pages, and sport much higher price tags, but this book will teach you everything you need to know to be coding right up there with the pros. Wonderfully revised, too - with new information, not just a new cover like some books - I might add.
Rating: 
Summary: Good for the beginner
Review: This book is awesome if you want to get started with html, but if you are a average to advanced html writer this would not be the book for you. It covers a number of topics but not in great detail. You will be able to do the basics when you are done reading the book. However, this is the book that is a must if you are starting html!
Rating:
Summary: Two Words: GET IT!
Review: As an Applications Analyst for web integration....this is my transportable (I travel), complete, find-it-now reference. As a neophyte in HTML, I started with the 1st edition. New or experienced....this is your tag and format reference. Use the 3" reference books for monitor stands and keep this one handy!
Rating:
Summary: Great HTML book
Review: I do not have this current edition of this book, but the edition that I have is the best HTML book that I have. It is layed out so that it is just as easy for a beginner to read through as it is for a pro to use it as a reference. It works even better if you use it in conjunction with other books as well. It is good for beginners also because it is easy to understand and it uses pictures so that beginners can actually see what the actual HTML code looks like.
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