A Smarter Way to Learn HTML & CSS: Learn it faster. Remember it longer.

I have always had an affinity/natural ability for computer programming, but was unable to take that as my major course of study at the campus I attended when I went to technical school a little 'later' in life. I was able to take a couple of classes in a couple of languages back then, and although I loved it and was good at it, it is still challenging to learn even when you have instructor and tutors to learn it from right in front of you, so now, even more 'later' in life when my ability to learn isn't nearly as quick as when I was younger and my memory is worse, when I wanted to teach myself so I could finally do what I really loved, I knew I was getting into a big challenge for myself.While searching for books here on Amazon, I stumbled across Mark's books while looking up JavaScript texts. His books were highly reviewed and I knew from my previous experiences that the best way to learn coding is to practice it yourself (because in a way you're learning a whole new language; a certain, precise way of thinking). I was very excited that the chapters were short and you practiced every chapter to really get this into your memory (old as I am now, this is a very important aspect).I got the JavaScript book first (which I haven't reviewed yet as I haven't finished it yet), and then found that I really should know HTML/CSS in order to plug in my JavaScript code into the webpages that would be using it, so about halfway through that book I purchased this one and started it. I have really enjoyed this way of learning. I've finished the book before reviewing, the only thing I haven't done is the last "exercise" which is to build my own 3-page webpage. I wanted to wait to review til I truly had gone through the whole book so I would be giving an honest review that is truly from my own experience of the learning process in the book.Just a note, although I firmly give this a very enthusiastic 5 stars, there are a few typos here and there in the book. I have read other self-published books, so that doesn't phase me, I knew what was being communicated or if there was some punctuation or the like left out of a coding example in the book, it was already so impressed on my brain the correct way to do it, sometimes I didn't even notice those tiny errors myself until I was copying the examples into my notes! (which really helps my memory)Final note, all Mark's books in particular are so incredibly inexpensive for the Kindle e-reader version that's why it was so easy to make the first purchase that I did. I downloaded the Kindle for PC app and then could work on either my desktop at home or laptop when traveling, so made it quite easy to continue studying even when I'm here, there and everywhere during my week. Another note: Mark has made it so you can only go to online exercises link from the e-book from PC, not Kindle Fires, phones or tablets, which makes sense because it would be incredibly difficult to code from any of those devices, in my opinion.Main point: if you want a way to teach yourself coding, I think this just might be the best way to do it, most bang for your buck!Final point: please Mark come out with a PHP book soon! That is what I want to learn next after finishing your JavaScript book!

I wanted to learn to code, but the hardest part was just learning HOW to study. I'm a reader, but most learn-to-code websites have you work directly in a text editor and you go from one lesson directly into the other. When it came time to do exercises, I had no references to work from. I decided to go back to basics and learn HTML & CSS first, but came across the same issue. Downloading cheat-sheets were useless without context.Then - I found this. THANK YOU GOD for this book.Each lesson is in the book is short and simple (but not dumbed down). After reading the lesson, you follow up with the online exercises, which are fun and gratifying because you realized how much you just learned. There are a number of exercises for each chapter, and they repeat in different variations - the repetition helps immensely. During the exercises you are also prompted to work in an online editor to put what you just learned into practice, and you get to see your coding in action.After going several weeks without working on it, I was mad at myself thinking I'd probably have to start all over again. I went to the online quizzes first to see if I'd retained any of it - and breezed through every single one of them. Every single one. I was able to pick up right where I left off with no review whatsoever. I DID learn it! I DID retain it! I GOT IT!!Can't wait to finish this book and then on to Java! I finally think I can do this!

I found this book to be a very enjoyable experience for someone who has never really done much with HTML in the past. The text is laid out so it's very easy to understand and retain the information that you are reading. When you couple this with all of the online quizzes and constant reinforcement of the information that you are learning the author makes it really hard to forget anything, even if you take a day off from the book.PROSEasy to follow and understand.A unique blend of reading and hands on learning.In depth description of each and every piece of code you learn.Constant reinforcement using online quizzes that come with the book, you learn a new concept and then immediately put it to work for you.On page examples of what your code should look like when your done, along with links to different coding using the same concepts.CONSThe only Con I can think of is that if you are looking for something to steam roll through in a couple hours then this is not the book for you. It is very detailed and tailored to the absolute beginner. So if you have prior experience in HTML you might find yourself a little bored with slower pace.In closing I really can't recommend this book more for someone just starting out to learn HTML and CSS (I didn't even know what CSS was until I picked up this book). It really caters to those of us out there wanting to get started with websites and design using HTML and CSS. And for the price, you just can't beat the learning approach that it takes with a combination of text and online hands on practice.