Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Having just started using the Arduino last summer, I can say that this is the ABSOLUTELY BEST book a person could get to become familiar with the Arduino. I've been an electronics hobbyist for years but mainly dealt with analog world with minimal interest in too much on the digital side. I did programming but never with a microprocessor until I got my Arduino last summer. Now I'm hooked. Unfortunately, the usual books for "helping" with Arduino give sketches and explain bits and pieces without ever doing an overview of the system. However, this book is fantastic. Just got it today and have read over half of it; I've marked it up with pen to remind myself of crucial facts that I wish I had known a few months back. I programmed in Fortran (antique language) and BASIC before, but never learned the C programming language (the language of the Arduino). Thankfully, this book assumes no knowledge of C language and holds your hand through the process. It does a wonderful job explaining what each section of the programming does, it explains the hardware of the board, and it explains how the board communicates with the computer. At long last, instead of just copying and pasting someone else's program and hoping I can modify it to work for my own purposes, I can understand WHY certain things work the way they do. UPDATE: I've had this book for over five months, and I still maintain that you have GOT to have this book. I have used it so much that I've about worn it out. Yes, the info that is in the book can be found elsewhere, but he covers so much material so well in such logical places. If you're trying to understand how and why Arduino sketches work the way they do, BUY THIS BOOK! UPDATE 2: I STILL stand by my review of almost a year ago. I have used this book so much in referring to things that I may have to order a second copy as insurance in case I misplace the first. To be such a small book, it packs a lot of punch. It's written at just the right level for beginners who are just learning about Arduino and microprocessors in general, and he points you to all the resources on the web for further information. The book is practical and useful and just plain fun to read. So instead of having to copy and paste everyone else's code all the time, read this book to understand at least the basics of WHY things work in an Arduino the way they do.