Book Title: Head First Java, 2nd Edition
Author: Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates
Publisher: O’Reilly Media, Inc.; 2 edition (February 9, 2005)
Paperback: 720 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0596009208
ISBN-13: 978-0596009205

Book Description
Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it s an object-oriented computer programming language like Java. You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn’t always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you’re forced to study.

The fact is your brain craves novelty. It’s constantly searching, scanning, waiting for something unusual to happen. After all, that’s the way it was built to help you stay alive. It takes all the routine, ordinary, dull stuff and filters it to the background so it won’t interfere with your brain’s real work, recording things that matter. How does your brain know what matters? It’s like the creators of the Head First approach say, suppose you’re out for a hike and a tiger jumps in front of you, what happens in your brain? Neurons fire. Emotions crank up. Chemicals surge.

That’s how your brain knows.

And that’s how your brain will learn Java. Head First Java combines puzzles, strong visuals, mysteries, and soul-searching interviews with famous Java objects to engage you in many different ways. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s effective. And, despite its playful appearance, Head First Java is serious stuff: a complete introduction to object-oriented programming and Java. You’ll learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced topics, including threads, network sockets, and distributed programming with RMI. And the new. second edition focuses on Java 5.0, the latest version of the Java language and development platform. Because Java 5.0 is a major update to the platform, with deep, code-level changes, even more careful study and implementation is required. So learning the Head First way is more important than ever.

If you’ve read a Head First book, you know what to expect, a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. You’ll see why people say it’s unlike any other Java book you’ve ever read.

By exploiting how your brain works, Head First Java compresses the time it takes to learn and retain, complex information. Its unique approach not only shows you what you need to know about Java syntax, it teaches you to think like a Java programmer. If you want to be bored, buy some other book. But if you want to understand Java, this book’s for you.

Book Review
Key to the authors’ teaching style are carefully designed graphics. Rather than explain class inheritance (to cite one example) primarily with text, the authors use a series of tree diagrams that clarify the mechanism far more succinctly. The diagrams are carefully annotated with arrows and notes. Also characteristic of the unique teaching strategy is heavy reliance on exercises, in which the reader is asked to complete partial classes, write whole new code segments and do design work. Though there’s little discussion of why the exercises’ correct answers are what they are, it’s clear that the practice work was carefully designed to reinforce the lesson at hand. If you’ve waited this long to give Java a try, this book is a great choice. – David Wall

“It’s fast, irreverent, fun and engaging. Be careful–you might actually learn something!” - Ken Arnold, coauthor (with James Gosling, creator of Java) The Java Programming Language “It’s definitely time to dive in–Head First.” – Scott McNealy, Sun Microsystems, Chairman, President, and CEO

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Head First Java, 2nd Edition

Book Title: Head Rush Ajax (Head First)
Author: Brett McLaughlin
Publisher: O’Reilly Media, Inc. (March 28, 2006)
Paperback: 446 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0596102259
ISBN-13: 978-0596102258

Book Description
Sick of creating web sites that reload every time a user moves the mouse? Tired of servers that wait around to respond to users’ requests for movie tickets? It sounds like you need a little (or maybe a lot of) Ajax in your life. Asynchronous programming lets you turn your own web sites into smooth, slick, responsive applications that make your users feel like they’re back on the information superhighway, not stuck on a dial-up backroad.

But who wants to take on next-generation web programming with the last generation’s instruction book? You need a learning experience that’s as compelling and cutting-edge as the sites you want to design. That’s where we come in. With Head Rush Ajax, in no time you’ll be writing JavaScript code that fires off asynchronous requests to web servers…and having fun doing it. By the time you’ve taken your dynamic HTML, XML, JSON, and DOM skills up a few notches, you’ll have solved tons of puzzles, figured out how well snowboards sell in Vail, and even watched a boxing match. Sound interesting? Then what are you waiting for? Pick up Head Rush Ajax and learn Ajax and asynchronous programming the right way, the way that sticks.

If you’ve ever read a Head First book, you know what to expect: a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. Head Rush ramps up the intensity with an even faster look and feel. Have your first working app before you finish Chapter 1, meet up with the nefarious PROJECT: CHAOS stealth team, and even settle the question of the Top 5 Blues CDs of all time. Leave boring, clunky web sites behind with 8-tracks and hot pants, and get going with next-generation web programming.

Book Review
“If you thought Ajax was rocket science, this book is for you. Head Rush Ajax puts dynamic, compelling experiences within reach for every web developer.” – Jesse James Garrett, Adaptive Path

“A ‘technology-meets-reality’ book for web pioneers on the cutting edge.” – Valentin Crettaz, CTO, Condris Technologies

About the Author
Brett McLaughlin has become one of the most well-known authors and programmers in the Java and XML communities. He’s worked for Nextel Communications, implementing complex enterprise systems, at Lutris Technologies, actually writing application servers, and most recently at O’Reilly Media, Inc., where he continues to write and edit books that matter. His most recent book, “Java 5.0 Tiger: A Developer’s Notebook”, was the first book available on the newest version of Java, and his classic Java and XML remains one of the definitive works on using XML technologies in Java.

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Head Rush Ajax (Head First)

Book Title: Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
Author: Eric Freeman, Elisabeth Freeman
Publisher: O’Reilly Media, Inc. (December 8, 2005)
Paperback: 694 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 059610197X
ISBN-13: 978-0596101978

Book Description
Tired of reading HTML books that only make sense after you’re an expert? Then it’s about time you picked up Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML and really learned HTML. You want to learn HTML so you can finally create those web pages you’ve always wanted, so you can communicate more effectively with friends, family, fans, and fanatic customers. You also want to do it right so you can actually maintain and expand your Web pages over time, and so your web pages work in all the browsers and mobile devices out there. Oh, and if you’ve never heard of CSS, that’s okay - we won’t tell anyone you’re still partying like it’s 1999 - but if you’re going to create Web pages in the 21st century then you’ll want to know and understand CSS.

Learn the real secrets of creating Web pages, and why everything your boss told you about HTML tables is probably wrong (and what to do instead). Most importantly, hold your own with your co-worker (and impress cocktail party guests) when he casually mentions how his HTML is now strict, and his CSS is in an external style sheet.

With Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML, you’ll avoid the embarrassment of thinking web-safe colors still matter, and the foolishness of slipping a font tag into your pages. Best of all, you’ll learn HTML and CSS in a way that won’t put you to sleep. If you’ve read a Head First book, you know what to expect: a visually-rich format designed for the way your brain works. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory, this book will load HTML, CSS, and XHTML into your brain in a way that sticks.

So what are you waiting for? Leave those other dusty books behind and come join us in Webville. Your tour is about to begin.

Book Review
“Elegant design is at the core of every chapter here, each concept conveyed with equal doses of pragmatism and wit.” –Ken Goldstein, Executive Vice President, Disney Online

“This book is a thoroughly modern introduction to forward-looking practices in web page markup and presentation.” –Danny Goodman, author of Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Guide

“What used to be a long trial and error learning process has now been reduced neatly into an engaging paperback.” –Mike Davidson, CEO, Newsvine, Inc.

“I love Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML - it teaches you everything you need to learn in a ‘fun coated’ format!” –Sally Applin, UI Designer and Artist

“I haven’t had as much fun reading a book (other than Harry Potter) in years. And your book finally helped me break out of my hapless so-last-century way of creating web pages.” –Professor David M. Arnow, Department of Computer and Information Science, Brooklyn College

About the Author
Elisabeth and Eric Freeman direct the Head First Series for O’Reilly Media and are the co-authors of the best-selling Head First Design Patterns. They previously led Internet and digital media efforts at the Walt Disney Company, where they had their hands in the design and technology behind some of today’s most popular web sites, including ABCNews.com, Disney.com and ESPN.com. Elisabeth and Eric both hold computer science degrees from Yale University: Elisabeth holds an M.S degree and Eric a Ph.D.

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Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML

Book Title: Head First SQL: Your Brain on SQL - A Learner’s Guide (Head First)
Author: Lynn Beighley
Publisher: O’Reilly Media, Inc. (September 1, 2007)
Paperback: 607 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0596526849
ISBN-13: 978-0596526849

Book Description
Is your data dragging you down? Are your tables all tangled up? Well we’ve got the tools to teach you just how to wrangle your databases into submission. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory SQL learning experience, Head First SQL has a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.

Maybe you’ve written some simple SQL queries to interact with databases. But now you want more, you want to really dig into those databases and work with your data. Head First-SQL will show you the fundamentals of SQL and how to really take advantage of it. We’ll take you on a journey through the language, from basic INSERT statements and SELECT queries to hardcore database manipulation with indices, joins, and transactions. We all know “Data is Power” - but we’ll show you how to have “Power over your Data”. Expect to have fun, expect to learn, and expect to be querying, normalizing, and joining your data like a pro by the time you’re finished reading!

Book Review
“There are books you buy and books you keep on your desk… Head First SQL is at the top of my stack.” – Bill Sawyer, ATG Curriculum Manager, Oracle/span>

“This is not SQL made easy; this is SQL made challenging, SQL made interesting, SQL made fun.” – Andrew Cumming, Author of SQL Hacks, Zoo Keeper at sqlzoo.net/span>

“Outrageous! SQL is a computer language, right? Head First SQL is obviously written for human beings! What’s up with that?!” – Dan Tow, Author of SQL Tuning/span>

About the Author
Lynn Beighley is a fiction writer stuck in a technical book writer’s body. Upon discovering that technical book writing actually paid real money, she learned to accept and enjoy it. After going back to school to get a Masters in Computer Science, she worked for the acronyms NRL and LANL. Then she discovered Flash, and wrote her first bestseller. A victim of bad timing, she moved to Silicon Valley just before the great crash. She spent several years working for Yahoo! and writing other books and training courses. Finally giving in to her creative writing bent, she moved to the New York area to get an MFA in Creative Writing. Her Head First-style thesis was delivered to a packed room of professors and fellow students. It was extremely well received, and she finished her degree, finished Head First SQL, and can’t wait to begin her next book.

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Head First SQL: Your Brain on SQL - A Learner’s Guide (Head First)

Book Title: Head First JavaScript (Head First)
Author: Michael Morrison
Publisher: O’Reilly Media, Inc. (January 11, 2008)
Paperback: 650 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0596527748
ISBN-13: 978-0596527747

Book Description
So you’re ready to make the leap from writing HTML and CSS web pages to creating dynamic web applications. You want to take your web skills to the next level. And you’re finally ready to add “programmer” to the resume. It sounds like you’re ready to learn the Web’s hottest programming language: JavaScript. Head First JavaScript is your ticket to going beyond copying and pasting the code from someone else’s web site, and writing your own interactive web pages.

With Head First JavaScript, you learn:

* The basics of programming, from variables to types to looping
* How the web browser runs your code, and how you can talk to the browser with your code
* Why you’ll never have to worry about casting, overloading, or polymorphism when you’re writing JavaScript code
* How to use the Document Object Model to change your web pages without making your users click buttons

If you’ve ever read a Head First book, you know what to expect — a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. Head First JavaScript is no exception. It starts where HTML and CSS leave off, and takes you through your first program into more complex programming concepts, like working directly with the web browser’s object model and writing code that works on all modern browsers.

Don’t be intimidated if you’ve never written a line of code before! In typical Head First style, Head First JavaScript doesn’t skip steps, and we’re not interested in having you cut and paste code. You’ll learn JavaScript, understand it, and have a blast along the way. So get ready… dynamic and exciting web pages are just pages away.

Book Review
The Head First line of books is one of the most unique book publishers in the technical marketplace. Head First books throw the standard teaching books into the shredder and make learning FUN. They key word here is F-U-N. If you have never cracked open a Head First book before you owe it to yourself to do so asap. HF books are hard to explain as there is nothing else like it. Innovative design, funky pictures, and a writing style that is truly unique, these books aren’t meant just for reading and reference but entertainment.

If you want to learn Javascript or brush up on it, this book has everything. From the basics of creating functions to form validation to custom objects to DOM access to AJAX, this book is a tome of information.

The only negative about this book is it feeling so hip and exciting, it’s a shame that there is no color used in the finished product. This doesn’t kill the book at all but if it did have color I would be giving this a rare highest possible recommendation. I feel that with the dynamic, exciting nature of web programming that this need at least some color to separate it from an old school C++ book on the shelf. The absence of color just makes a book that could have been perfect simply great but it is worth noting.

Incredible job by the Head First people and the author. This is probably the best book in the line due to it’s subject matter and execution. * HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. – By Daniel McKinnon (Tewksbury, MA USA)

About the Author
Michael Morrison is a writer, developer, toy inventor, and author of a variety of books covering topics such as Java, Web scripting, game development, and mobile devices. Some of Michael’s notable writing projects include JavaScript Bible, 6th Edition (Wiley, 2006),Teach Yourself HTML and CSS in 24 Hours, 7th Edition (Sams Publishing, 2005), Beginning Mobile Phone Game Programming (Sams Publishing, 2004) and Java Unleashed (Sams Publishing, 1997). Michael is the intructor of several Web-based courses, including DigitalThink’s Introduction to Java 2 series, JavaBeans for Programmers series, and Win32 Programming series (www.digitalthink.com).

In addition to his primary profession as a writer and technical consultant, Michael is the founder of Stalefish Labs (www.stalefishlabs.com), an entertainment company specializing in games, toys, and interactive media. When not glued to his computer, skateboarding, playing hockey, or watching movies with his wife, Masheed, Michael enjoys hanging out by his koi pond.

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Head First JavaScript (Head First)

Book Title: Disneys Character Collection Polymer Clay
Author: Mitsu
Publisher: Disney Press
Language: English

Book Description
This book has 12 projects to make Disney characters out of polymer clay. Including Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Dumbo, Thumper, and Bambi.

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Disneys Character Collection Polymer Clay

Book Title: The Virgin (in Japanese)
Author: Yoshitaka Amano
Publisher: Jeneon Entertainment
Hardcover: 111 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 4894528460
ISBN-13: 978-4894528468

Book Description
Yoshitaka Amano’s Artbook, 23 x 29.7 cm; 111 pages (61 color)

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The Virgin

Book Title: Mystic Ark Art Works (Akihiro Yamada no sekai)
Author/Ilustrator: Akihiro Yamada
Publisher: SoftBank Publishing, 2000 Year
Language: English
ASIN: B000RC8C88

Book Description
Yamada Akihiro’s artbook; 23 x 29.7 cm; 119 pages (61 color)

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Mystic Ark Art Works (Akihiro Yamada no sekai)

Book Title: Fashion flowers to crochet
Author: Darla Sims
Publisher: American School of Needlework
Paperback: 22 pages
Language: English

Book Description
18 beautiful flowers plus purse and hat. From this you’ll get the idea. Just let your imagination flow, and you’ll come up with lots of ways to use crocheted flowers to enhance your life!

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Fashion flowers to crochet

Book Title: Making Concrete Garden Ornaments
Author: Sherri Warner Hunter
Publisher: Lark Books (May 28, 2002)
Paperback: 144 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1579903185
ISBN-13: 978-1579903183

Book Description
A celebrated teacher has gathered the tried-and-true techniques used by sculptors and folk artists, and tailored them for low-tech surroundings. Work with molds; form over armatures; model or carve with concrete; and treat concrete surfaces with mosaics, embedded objects, incising, and coloring. For dazzling outdoor embellishments, craft a Birdbath, Little Lady Fountain, and more. Twenty-five projects in all.

Book Review
As the author of over a dozen crafts books I am often disappointed with how-to books that lack depth and breadth of ideas. Not this one! Not just a project book, the author provides lots of fodder for working out your own ideas. Many methods, mixes, and options for going about working with concrete are explained clearly. And the projects themselves range from beignner to much more advanced. I have worked with hypertufa and was looking for more inspiration and guidance in how I could take working with concrete further. This is it! This book will excite you and challenge you as much as you wish to be challenged. What amazing stuff one can do with concrete! I’m off to Home Depot. – By Jodie Davis (Georgia United States)

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Making Concrete Garden Ornaments