Customer Rating: 
Summary: finally over the psychological barrier
Comment: I have worked for many years as a C (C++) programmer, and routinely access various databases (Access, SQL Server, mySQL) using MFC code. I decided at long last to go to the Internet with my quite involved linguistic software, and have messed around when I had spare time for several months not really getting it to work. The two skills I felt like I really needed to be up and running were (1) the ability to access databases securely and reliably from a Web site (logins, etc.), and (2) the ability to call dlls (Web Services) from a Web site. Going into this book, I still had no idea what the corollary of a dll or COM object was. And I still don't know whether I have to rewrite my C++ dlls in C# to get them to work. The book hints that I might not have to. But at least if I am willing to rewrite all 45,000 lines of C++ code in C#, I know how to do what I want to do in principle, and that feels very different from where I was at before.
Part of the reason that I'm further along now is that I was using ASP.NET 2.0. Version 3.5 has added so many widgets to resolve common problems that it really feels to me from the perspective of a rank beginner like an entirely different beast, though undoubtedly under the hood, it's essentially the same. For example, the beginning ASP.NET 2.0 book I read devoted a whole chapter to Request and Response. There are just a couple references to them in this book, and they're not even mentioned in the index. Version 3.5 has been so structured that you apparently don't need to know even these very basic details. I feel a little like I felt when the event loop disappeared into the bowels of the GUI, never to be referred to again. "Can I trust Microsoft to handle that? Can I just go my merry way writing only event handlers?" It's still too soon to tell for certain, but probably I'll be okay.
This is not a reference book. It wasn't helpful in figuring out how to add a background image to my master page, and having read it once, I'm now reading it again cover to cover and taking notes to create the reference I need, because I don't even remotely remember it all. And I will need to read the advanced book to get where I want to be.
Instead of a reference, you build a fully functional Web site throughout the course of the book. An exercise in chapter 11 may refer to a page you built in Chapter 4, so you absolutely have to follow the entire book from start to finish or you'll be lost. I do think that this is the best approach to learning ASP.NET 3.5, because I really feel like if I pay attention, I can now write a full fledged Web site. I can't see any other way to cover (in 700 pages) ASP.NET controls, user controls, themes, style sheets, skins, master pages, basic C#, debugging, code behind files, Web services, databases, LINQ, security, base pages, validation, AJAX and deployment... to mention most of the biggies. None of these were even mentioned in my ASP.NET 2.0 books, mostly because they didn't exist, I expect. They are all there is to ASP.NET 3.5. You can get whole books on most of these technologies, but I really feel Spaanjaars gives you a serviceable introduction to each of them.
In summary, this is the first beginning text on dynamic database driven Web sites that got me past that psychological barrier and convinced me that I am going to be able to migrate my complicated life to the Internet. The text is clear and very well organized. And there are precious few errors. (I submitted most of the typos a previous reviewer complained about, because I liked the book so much I wanted it to be perfect. Sorry for the unintended effect Imar.)
Customer Rating:
Summary: Perfect for me...
Comment: Have worked with ASP.NET 2.0 a bit over the past year or so. Excellent book for my level. Imar covered all of the questions I encountered as I made my way through the material. Examples were understandable and quick to implement. Very satisfied.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great book on ASP.NET
Comment: I have looked at several ASP.NET books but this particular one seems to be the best so far. The chronology of the book and the Try It Out sections are great. They force to learn by doing the hands on exercises. The book makes learning the ASP.NET subject very easy. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn the subject matter. The negative reviews that some people have levied on this book are unfounded. You can't base your opinion by reading one chapter. This book would also be a great reference material.
Good Luck.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Didn't Resonate With Me
Comment: Although many liked this book, it did not resonate with me. I wound up only getting through the first chapter or so, but maybe book picks up.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not professionaly written...
Comment: Not even 50 pages into the book, the author has made at least two easily spotted spelling errors as well as launching into using jargon many beginners wouldn't know shortly before spending half a page walking someone slowly through changing a single Windows display option. If you're looking for a professionaly written book, I would not recommend this one. Checking the short list of errata on the website, and these errors are not even listed...
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