Rating: 
Summary: One of the best technology books ever! 10 stars!!
Review: No, I am not the author. I am a self-taught SUN Certified java developer with no computer science background. I feel like this book changed me from being an amateur to being a computer scientist. You just can't get the information that is in this book anywhere. I had heard these words like recursion, trees, stacks, queues... but never really knew what they were. Now I do. In my oppinion, the two most important aspects of a good technology book are writing style and trust in the authors knowledge. This book has both. The author presents the information in a clear, simple, visual way with no witty nonsense. Only essential information is included and is supported by diagrams, illustrations, easy-to-follow code snipets and a companion CD which dynamically and visually illustrates how the algorithms work. Also, the book reads smooth; it is a real joy. I read this thing in a weekend. It was a lot of work, but totally rewarding. I am very grateful to Mr. Lafore and look forward to reading some of his other books.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Introduction to Data Structures
Review: This book is a good introduction to data structures, and would do nicely as an undergraduate college text. It does not have the rigor, however, for an advanced data structures class as might be expected in graduate-level courses. While the author provides plenty of pictures and descriptions to run online applets, the applets were nearly impossible to find on the web. They are not at the location as stated in the book. Even without using the applets though, there are plenty of good diagrams in the book to follow. So, get this book if you want a nice introduction to the most common data structures, but don't get this book if you are looking for the "end-all" of data structures, or a rigorous approach to defining the complexity/performance associated with the data structures; You'll have to look elsewhere for that.
Rating:
Summary: Good Introduction to Data Structures
Review: This book is a good introduction to data structures, and would do nicely as an undergraduate college text. It does not have the rigor, however, for an advanced data structures class as might be expected in graduate-level courses. While the author provides plenty of pictures and descriptions to run online applets, the applets were nearly impossible to find on the web. They are not at the location as stated in the book. Even without using the applets though, there are plenty of good diagrams in the book to follow. So, get this book if you want a nice introduction to the most common data structures, but don't get this book if you are looking for the "end-all" of data structures, or a rigorous approach to defining the complexity/performance associated with the data structures; You'll have to look elsewhere for that.
Rating:
Summary: Straight to the point
Review: This book is the best introduction to data structures and algorithms. Explanations are clear and straight to the point. There are a lot of examples well commented and explained. The web site for this book includes all examples and applets. Applets let you to visualize how all algorithms work in real not just abstract concepts. All the books I have encountered up to now were very mathematical and confusing. In opposite this one teaches you what you should know as a programmer/developer. If you make some research in this field, for sure you need more complex proofs and inductions found in very academic and dry books. Otherwise use this one to clearly grasp all difficult concepts. ALL CODES COMPILE WITHOUT A SINGLE ERROR. AMAZING!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book on Data Structures
Review: This is an excellent book on data structures and algorithms and would be a great addition to a student's text book. Fortunately Lafore does not dwell on the algorithm analysis as many data structures books do. This is a plus for me, as most texts on the subject get the reader bogged down in the analysis portion of the subject matter. Note: algorithm analysis is a very important subject I just don't believe it should be taught in parallel with data structures to the extent it is. Its easier for me and many others to first learn how to implement data structures and get a feel for their performance then move on to in-depth analysis. In this book you'll learn the more important data structures without the heavy mathematics many algorithm and data structure books torture readers with. The book is written in very accessible language and the applets really help the inexperienced see the algorithms in action. As I mentioned this book does not cover algorithm analysis in detail. A step up from this book would be one of Sedgewick's books which provides more detail on the analysis front and some really 'tight' implementations. A good book that focuses on Algorithm Analysis is Intro to Algorithms by Cormen. You better have your math skills up to snuff for the Cormen book however.
Rating:
Summary: Very good book
Review: Very good book. Very clear explanations with minimal use of jargons. The visual workshops is a very good aid. Definitely recommended!
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