Rating:  - Great book if you want to learn C++
I have bought many books on C, C++, Perl, Python and PHP among other programming languages. Many have been IMO good but Thinking In C++ stands out as one of the best. Overall he covers most, if not all of the topics needed for a person to develope into a strong and proficent C++ programmer.
I would like to point out that Bruce does not take the time to point out various features in IDEs such as VC++. If you are looking for a tutorial on how to use them this book is not for you. I see this a strength rather then a weakness and aplaude him for not biasing this book in favor of any compiler (gcc, VC++, Borland etc)or IDE.
Rating:  - Not for newbies
This book is definately not for newcomers to VC++. I am a 13 and started reading this book and it wasn't for me. I have very good experience in Visual Basic 6 and a good knowledge in Java. I decided to come to C++ and writing the code wasn't difficult with online tutorials.
This book is for intermediate to experienced C++ programmers with some knowledge of C. This book doesn't cover how to use the user interface just the syntax of VC++.
If you know of a good book that explains how to use the user interface in detail would you please E-mail me.
Rating: - One of the best books on programming languages I ever read
This book is really awesome -- and it truly deserves the five stars above. Until I read it I actually thought that there weren't any good books on C++ (which is definitely not an easy-to-learn language, not even for experienced programmers). Bruce Eckel achieves to explain all the language features very clearly, with lots and lots of good examples (though he is leaving out a few of the very advanced and rarely used features, such as multiple inheritance). He always keeps a down-to-earth, practical and easy-going style and a language which is really fun to read. It is quite clear that he actually believes in what he is telling you, and he doesn't hesitate to mention the downsides of the language as well. In short, he actually *cares*! He also explains internals like what the linker does, the difference between early and late binding and other stuff at just the right places and without losing his sense for practicality and conciseness. If you already have some experience programming and know some C, you will most probably love this book and have no difficulties in your transitioning to C++. The entire book, all source code and volume 2 of the book (which discusses advanced topics) is freely downloadable. Still the bucks on the book are wisely spent! I would love to attend one of this guy's seminars...
Rating: - Good Only for Those Who Know C
I am attempting to learn C++ with a limited background in programming and C. I purchased this book based on the high reviews it received from the contributors on this list. After reading half the book, I have concluded that it is not a good starting point for new programmers. The seminar CD on the C language was helpful in reviving the C I do know, but the latter half of the CD became too complicated too fast and hard to follow. The text examples were also weak in that they had no practical use. The concepts were important but the examples did not tie into anything tangible for me. This greatly reduced their purpose of reinforcing the lessons of each chapter. The author also kept making comparisons to C which could be helpful to C programmers but became what I felt was overkill for those wanting to learn just C++. This was especially the case when he would explain how to do someting and then suggest that you should never do things that way. Why even mention bad programming practices? After re-reading the reviews posted here, it appears that most of the readers are either strong C programmers or have a fairly solid programming back ground. I suggest looking elsewhere if you have little or no programming or C language experience.
Rating: - The best way to learn C++
Thinking in C++ is absolutely the best, most comprehensive introduction to C++ ever written. It does what all C++ books should do, teach you only the basic stuff from C you need to know, as well as explain poor programming techniques used in C that is much better implemented in C++. This book starts from simple procedural programming basics which beginners need to know, then works up to object-based programming and then to the basics of object-oriented programming in the last few chapters.
Since this IS a beginner's book though, you need to look elsewhere for more advanced stuff. Bruce Eckel is currently writing the second volume of this book which will go into much more advanced topics.
Just one book isn't enough to really learn C++, combine Thinking in C++ with outside references: I recommend C++ Primer by Stanley Lippman and Josee Lajoie (an excellent source of reference) as one of your main references if you have trouble understanding some of the explanations in TiC++.
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