[mtalantikite]

I remember reading the first edition back in maybe 2011 when I decided I should sit down and actually learn JavaScript beyond the superficial grasp I had of it from working on web things (mainly via Rails at the time). What a great book, I learned so much from it at the time. For years after, whenever anyone told me they wanted to learn programming, I told them to pick up this book as a first introduction to it. Plus, it was available for free on his website.

I've gotten rid of lots of old programming books over the years, but I've held on to my first edition copy of Eloquent Javascript. Lots of thanks to Marijn for writing this!

[iwsk]

I don't think this is a good book for someone who wants to learn programming for the first time.

[Daltzn]

Why do you feel that way? What books would you recommend instead?

[iwsk]

Eloquent Javascript is better suited for someone who already has some experience with basic programming and wants to learn javascript while also exploring more advanced concepts in programming in general.

Javascript was not my first language, but I have refered to javascript.info from time to time and it seems to have a gentle introduction.

[smackeyacky]

Kernighan & Pikes Unix Programming Environment.

It’s *nix specific but a great introduction to all kinds of programming concepts with great working examples in a variety of languages you’ll use every day