Rating: 
Summary: Great for both exams!
Review: I just passed both 70-176 and 70-175. This book was my primary study resource for both the Desktop and the Distributed exams. I've seen people say they might use something else to study for the Distributed exam - don't waste your money. This book is great for both. ... A caveat - if you don't know VB at all, learn how to use it first. This book will not tell you how to open VB, or how to create a form, or anything that basic. On the other hand, if you have used VB, and are looking for information that will help you pass the exams, this is the book.
Rating: 
Summary: The Best MCSD Book
Review: This book is, by far, the best book on the 70-176. How in-depth it goes on the 70-175, I'm not sure since I haven't taken the test. However, I don't think I'm going to rely on this one for the Distributed exam. But if you're taking the Desktop exam, by all means, use this book. I wrote the exam today and scored 928/1000 (92% - 714/1000 is a passing score). The author, James Foxall, cuts through the basics with which most books bore us, and gets right to the important details. If you buy this book, make sure that you get the January 2001 reprint (the second edition). I have the original October 2000 edition, and it is riddled with errors, especially in the most important chapter: Packaging and Deploying. Some errors are not even listed on O'Reilly's errata list. Overall, however, it is an excellent resource and you will pass the exam with this book, some intelligence, and some VB experience.
Rating:
Summary: Both succinct and comprehensive
Review: This book achieves a rare combination of being succinct and comprehensive. The author does a great job of packing a LOT of useful information into 600 pages. I particularly like his lab exercises, which are very well designed. Although no single book can possibly cover all the facets of VB, I think this book is a must for anyone who wants to learn VB as quickly as possible.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for MCSD VB Test
Review: This is a great book to study for the MCSD VB Tests. I passed the VB Desktop today with a score of 857. This book covers all aspects of the test. Best of all it contains very little fluff. The Key Facts and sample questions at the end of each chapter were very helpful for review. I plan to grab the Exam Cram and study another week and take the Distributed Test. Good luck to all.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent VB Book
Review: This 1-inch thick book has been more useful than three microsoft VB training courses I attended. This ... book covers what most training locations charge $3000 for. This is a good book even if you dont plan on taking the exams. Doesnt get too deep in any one subject and covers topics with experience based tips and how-to's.
Rating:
Summary: I passed today.....
Review: I just passed my test today with an 857. This book and the transcender tests were my means of passing. Thank you to James Foxall for his great work.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent coverage of the material
Review: Foxall does an excellent job of covering the material in the detail that is required to be successful on the exams. The practice questions test your knowledge, but are not in the exam's scenario based format. If your not familiar with the exam's style of questions, look at some of the free demo exams from transcender and measureup. And make sure you know your basics -- forms, basic controls, etc...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: I just passed the VB exam 70-176 and used this book extensively. I had read several others books but were thoroughly disappointed. They covered basic topics and only skimmed the surface neglecting most of the areas that you will be tested on. MCSD in a nutshell, on the other hand, thoroughly discusses each topic. If you are intending to pass the exams, this should definitely be in your arsenal. Combine this book with the transcender exams and you should have an excellent opportunity to pass the exams. This book is written for experienced advanced users of visual basic. It does not cover basic visual basic information such as loops, lists, combo boxes, etc. The author expects you to have learned these topics previously. It instead concentrates on the complex concepts that you will be tested on. If you are a beginner, you will need to buy other books to become familiar with the Visual Basic language. In addition, once you have passed the exams this book will not gather dust on your shelf. It is a great reference book that you will continue to use.
Rating:
Summary: Good source -- but almost too much info.
Review: This book was a great guide to the VB exams -- I passed both using this book plus the Transcenders. (For a sanity check I also used the Troytec guides.) Yes, overkill, but I passed both with high 900s. This book actually is good (if not better) as a desktop reference. For the "bare essentials to pass" crowd (including me), sometimes I felt the author spent a bit too much time on things that weren't directly on the exam. Yes, they were enlightening and good foundation material, but weren't always directly relevant. I'd say this book plus the Transcenders were a great combination.
Rating:
Summary: the VERY best
Review: I actually wasted 2 weeks study time trying other study guides. Once I got to this one I knew I was on the right track. I just passed VB Distributed with a 957. The author does an excellent job of covering the right topics with the level of detail needed. I actually enjoyed reading this book! The other guides skipped important topics and rambled. This book also has very useful exercises and summaries. It has the best info on COM I've seen, and explains it clearly. Good luck finding any other guide with a good explanation of Apartment threading. It is well organized, and will have a permanent place on my desk at work for reference along with VB/VBA Nutshell. It is that good. If you study this book thoroughly, along with Transcender practice exams and flash cards you will do great. That is exactly how I did it and how I intend to study for VB Desktop. Thank you Mr. Foxall!
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