I'm coming in late to laud this remarkable book. I wanted, however, to emphasize what makes this book so remarkable. It comes down to the code samples.



Many tech books treat code samples almost as an afterthought. In Jeff Paries' book, it is front and center. All the sample projects -- it is embarrassing even to have to say this -- actually _work_!



The sample projects are also well designed -- each demonstrates a particular feature of Silverlight that Mr. Paries wants to highlight. The text of the book then elucidates the aspect of Silverlight that is being featured.



You will notice that even Bob Vignato's lowball review is all about the code samples -- in this case his difficulties in accessing them.



This is all to say that the successful execution of Jeff Paries' book brings to the fore something that has been a source of shame for the technical publishing world for quite a while. Simply put, the code should work! I can certainly put up with technical authors who can't spell or can't form a decent metaphor. They are, after all, coders first and writers second. What I find difficult to abide is technical authors who cannot -- or do not -- make sure that the code they provide with a book, first, works, and second, is useful.



This is surely not too much to ask.



The code that accompanies this wonderful book by Jeff Paries not only works and enlightens -- it also delights with clever and interesting animations one feels compelled to play with and modify. My six year old on occassion asks me to bring up particular code examples from this book that she enjoyed. What greater recommendation can a book receive?

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