Rating: 
Summary: Awesome Book
Review: I had no idea how to program, but in just three days after reading this book I was able to accomplish such a task. I loved the classroom setting. The feedback from the other students in the class were very helpful. Sometimes I would say "man that person is an idiot", while other times I would be like "good point". While reading this book, I even raised my hand a few times. :) If you read this book and don't understand every concept, you should find something else to do.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent learning tool!
Review: I had some conceptual difficulties with objects in VB until I found this book. It helped me immensely.
Rating:
Summary: BEST VISUAL BASIC OBJECT/CLASSES BOOK ON THE MARKET
Review: I had taken a class in Visual Basic and the instructor found that Objects and Classes was not something that he wanted to teach since he was uncomfortable with the subject. I then tried to handle the chapter in the course on my own. Then one day the book by John Smiley was recommended to me. THIS WAS THE BEST INVESTMENT I HAVE EVER MADE. This is a most have book if you want to completely understand the concept of classes. The information is given in complete detail and no concept is left out. Unlike most books that seem to write to experienced programmers, Mr Smiley understands that the people buying the books are buying to learn. The classroom atmosphere is such a wonderful idea and you feel that you are part of the classroom.John Smiley needs to continue writing books for those of us that are still learning and not experts yet. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Rating:
Summary: My first John Smiley book, but not my last
Review: I had taken a class on ZDU from Professor Smiley last year, and when I heard about his book on objects, I ordered directly from him (autographed even!) I've wrote my first computer program in 1970, and have a good career as a contract programmer on big computers. But I struggled with years to grasp the concepts of Windows programming and Object Oriented Design. Professor Smiley's class in Visual Basic on ZDU got me a great start in Windows programming, and now this book has made the VB implementation of OOP easy to understand. I am really looking forward to his next book on Web programming with VB, since my boss says this is what we all will be doing in the near future.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: I have sorted through many books trying to find an author that actually teaches and doesn't just throw text at you. I have finally found one! John Smiley puts the most difficult of topics in an easy to understand manner. He brings his classroom experiences and relays them to the reader brillantly. I am only sorry that I did not stumble across his other books sooner. If you are looking to learn about VB Objects, buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: Participating in the Class
Review: I must admit when I first started reading the book I was taken back by the format. I've read a few tech how-to books and I'd never seen one written like a story book before. Reading the book is like auditing a class--acting as an observer, but not necesarily a participant. I thought the students in the class were kind of odd, and not particularly bright. Then as time went by I realized the advantages of this style of writing. When a student asks a question that has already been answered earlier in the book, and the teacher answers it, it is the same as reminding me of something that I might forget without insulting me by reminding me directly to my face (like my mother-in-law's backseat driving: "There's a stop sign coming up.") That way, when I don't need the reminder, I'm not offended, and when I do need the reminder I am helped along. Great plan! But the clincher for me was when during one of the teacher's explanations, my mind formulated a question. Suddenly in the next paragraph one of those dumb students asked MY question. OK, I'm sold.
Rating: 
Summary: Could not finish
Review: I really do not care for the style of this book. In a VB book I do not give a hoot about how cold it is in the morning or that "we" had to wait for class to start because another student couldn't start his car. I found myself irritated that some of Professor Smiley's good ideas were lost in setting the scene or character development. If I want to read a novel, I will buy a novel. When I read a "Technical Manual" get excited enough by new ideas that I don't need to be amused by witty banter. I would recommend this book ONLY if you have not read any technical book or you need to be entertained.
Rating:
Summary: A Cornerstone for a VB programmer
Review: I think this book is a masterpiece. It utilizes John Smiley's effective teaching style(utilizing scenarios), and is organized in an easy to follow manner. It is obvious that John Smiley is a teacher because he teaches to the reader's level. This book was key in allowing me to understand objects which Visual Basic and Microsoft Products are apparently founded on. With the foundation that this book provides, I believe I can go as far as I want in learning Visual Basic.
Rating:
Summary: A tough subject well-handled.
Review: I'm still ramping up, but Professor Smiley again made a relatively recondite subject relatively easy. It seems almost like being in his class.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent book
Review: If you are a programmer and want to delve into the world of object oriented programming then start with this book! This book takes the bite out of object orientated programming and shows you that if you are a VB programmer you have already been using objects. Object orientated programming is fun for me now. In todays technological world if technology isnt confusing its believed to be worthless. After reading this book I realize I understand more than I orginally thought I did. I have been programming in an object orientated sense I just had a few concepts and ideas to learn. If you want a good book that will explain EVERYTHING without making you feel stupid, start with this book!
| 
