Practical JavaScript for the Usable Web

Rating:
Summary: A task oriented book
Review: A task oriented book that, notwithstanding a small number of pages, manage to break some new grounds and cover a few advanced topics. Not suited for a complete programming novice, but if you have some programming experience and want an intelligent introduction it may be a great choice. Also recommended to JavaScript freaks looking for some refreshing material

Rating:
Summary: Great read
Review: Fresh and enjoyable read. This book is a great companion to a solid Javascript reference after you have dabbled in some Client side scripting.

Rating:
Summary: Relevant Fresh Introduction To JavaScript
Review: JavaScript is one language that all too frequently is taken too lightly by too many people. Harder-core programmers frown at it, while in reality, they more frequently misunderstand it or under-value its powers.
If you need to learn JavaScript, have some programming experience and want an intelligent introduction, this book is what you want.
Unlike many other books I looked at when examining JavaScript, this one is new, is not condesending and has all the information needed to get you going in utilizing JavaScript in your web projects.
JavaScript can provide a very fast alternative to thing that hard-core programmers do on the back end, and can also utilize new technologies, like document manipulations without the use of frames. The book contains an exploration of the Document Object Model (DOM) and its more recent incarnations, and provides examples from people who are at the frontlines and know what you will need when you will venture on your own.
The book covers JavaScript's primitive objects, the creation of object classes, and shows your way through dynamic menus and many other exciting features of the language.
I will not recommend this book to people who come from the design angle of things. It does not explain too much on what is programming or on basics that designers need to know before stepping into the fold.
All in all, I liked this book a lot. In my eyes, it is better than the O'Reilly fare and when matched with a reference cheat sheet (like the one from O'Reilly), it can be all that you need.

Rating:
Summary: Sloppy and unorganized
Review: The book gives a narrow introduction on JavaScript for an intermediate programmer, so it is cutting corners. Many of them, nuf said!

Rating:
Summary: Very good but not for the absolute beginner
Review: This is the perfect book if you want to refresh the Javascript you learned some time ago, or if you've gone through some on line tutorials and would like to get the whole picture.
It's less than 400 pages, but packed with information. Very clearly written and easy to read. It explains a concept and shows you examples, pointing out where you could make mistakes and giving advice for best practice. For an absolute beginner though, I think it would be a bit too fast-paced - if this is your case try Paul Wilton's other book.