Buy New
 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
Buy Used
Used - Good See details
$20.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
or
Get a $15.62 Amazon.com Gift Card
Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
 
 
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML [Paperback]

Eric T Freeman (Author), Elisabeth Freeman (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (319 customer reviews)

List Price: $39.99
Price: $25.47 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $14.52 (36%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it delivered Friday, September 10? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
27 new from $25.47 43 used from $19.95
Textbook StudentJoin Amazon Student and get FREE Two-Day Shipping for one year with Amazon Prime shipping benefits.

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Paperback $25.47  
Sell This Book Back for $15.62
Whether you buy it used on Amazon for $19.95 or somewhere else, you can sell it back to our Textbook Buyback Store at the current price of $15.62 through December 31, 2010. Restrictions Apply
Used Price$19.95
Buyback Price$15.62
Price after
Buyback
$4.33

Frequently Bought Together

Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML + Head First Web Design + Head First JavaScript
Price For All Three: $83.35

Show availability and shipping details

Buy the selected items together
  • In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

  • Head First Web Design$31.49

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

  • Head First JavaScript$26.39

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Today, serious Web pages use HTML and XHTML to structure their content and CSS for style and presentation. You need a book that understands how to incorporate everything correctly. Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML explains the fundamentals of HTML, XHTML, topics like web color, and CSS properties. In this book, pictures and step-by-step instructions explain how to build great-looking, standards-compliant web sites.

The Road to Programming is Sometimes Paved with Web Pages
By Elisabeth Robson

I am often asked how I first got started in programming. Recently, I was interviewed by Girls Gone Geek, a weekly podcast on technology from a women's perspective, and they asked if I got started by creating web sites. The Girls clearly have no idea how old I am! (Shhh...) I actually started programming long before the Web was a twinkle in Tim Berners-Lee's eye, but their question got me thinking, and I realized that creating a web site is a good way to get started on your way to programming.

Now, you might be thinking, "Writing HTML and CSS is not the same thing as programming", and that's technically true. But once you've put together a basic web page, you'll have learned a lot about how the web works under the covers, and you'll be able to tackle some simple programming concepts. The next logical step is to learn a bit of JavaScript, so you can create some cool effects on your web page. Before you know it, you'll be learning Ajax, and then a server side programming language like PHP or Java, and then you'll need a database, so you'll learn some SQL... and ta da! You're a web programmer. I work with several people who have taken an interesting path to programming. One friend has an advanced degree in music and is now a business data analysis expert; another started out wanting to be a farmer, became a web application programmer, and is now a serious Java programmer.

For those of you who have no interest in the mechanics of web pages, there are lots of programs out there, like Adobe Dreamweaver and Microsoft Expression, that will help you create a web page without having to know how HTML and CSS really work. But if you want to know what's happening under the covers so you can learn about how web pages really work, and eventually write some JavaScript and do more advanced programming, I definitely recommend writing your own HTML and CSS from scratch. You can use a simple editor like TextEdit (on the Mac) or TextPad (on Windows). No need for anything fancy.

Another advantage to writing HTML and CSS yourself is that you can always write your web pages using the most current standards. When we wrote Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML, HTML 4.01, CSS 2, and XHTML 1.0 were the most current and best supported versions of these technologies, and in fact they still are. But standards development is inching along and before too long, HTML 5, CSS 3 and XHTML 2.0 will be launched and supported by browsers. If you stay up to date with these standards, you're likely to be writing far better code than programs like Dreamweaver or Expression do.

Once the new standards for HTML, CSS and XHTML are nailed down a bit more, we'll update Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML to include some of the cool new features. HTML 5 will be more strict than HTML 4 was, but it's designed to be backwards compatible with older browsers, so you will be able to convert your HTML 4 pages to HTML 5 web pages without worrying too much about breaking them in older browsers. (However, always keep in mind that there is no substitute for lots of testing!)

In the meantime, you can write HTML 4.01, CSS 2 and XHTML 1 knowing that these standards will be the most current and the best supported for quite a while. When the new standards are released and supported by browsers, we'll help you sort through it all so you can focus on creating great web pages and building up your web skills. And once you get the hang of some of these web page skills, you might very well find yourself wanting to move from creating web pages to programming.

Book Description

A Learner's Companion to HTML, CSS, and XHTML

Product Details

  • Paperback: 658 pages
  • Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (December 8, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 059610197X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0596101978
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 1.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (319 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
    #2 in  Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Languages & Tools > CSS
    #1 in  Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Web Browsers
    #1 in  Books > Computers & Internet > Graphic Design > Website Architecture & Usability

More About the Authors

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Inside This Book (learn more)

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
92% buy the item featured on this page:
Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML 4.6 out of 5 stars (319)
$25.47
CSS: The Missing Manual
3% buy
CSS: The Missing Manual 4.6 out of 5 stars (137)
$23.09
HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Sixth Edition
2% buy
HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Sixth Edition 4.2 out of 5 stars (217)
$23.09
Build Your Own Web Site The Right Way Using HTML & CSS, 2nd Edition
2% buy
Build Your Own Web Site The Right Way Using HTML & CSS, 2nd Edition 4.7 out of 5 stars (73)
$19.77

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(98)
(97)
(79)
(7)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

 

Customer Reviews

319 Reviews
5 star:
 (253)
4 star:
 (41)
3 star:
 (10)
2 star:
 (6)
1 star:
 (9)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (319 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
150 of 161 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for learning HTML and CSS, February 5, 2006
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML (Paperback)
The "Head First" series by O'Reilly does it again. This book manages to take the conceptually easy yet complicated task of learning HTML, XHTML, and CSS and breaks it down so that anyone can figure out what is going on and what needs to be done in web page design using these technologies. Plus, if you learned HTML several years ago and you would like to update your skills to current technology, this is a great choice for a textbook.
The book starts out with the basics of HTML -text, webpage form via HTML, putting your webpage on the Internet and linking to other web resources, and adding images and thumbnails. Next the author tackles XHTML, starting by answering the questions What is XHTML? and Why would I want to use XHTML? The author composes three simple steps to take you from strict HTML to XHTML:
1. Change your DOCTYPE to XHTML 1.0 Strict.
2. Add the xmins, lang, and xml:lang attributes to your <html> element.
3. All empty tags should end in "/>" not ">".
Next, CSS is introduced, along with the properties that can be controlled via CSS. When you read the CSS chapters you'll find yourself asking "Why don't other books just SAY this plainly like THIS book does?". Eventually, the author has you doing advanced layout and control using all the tools available to you without you ever noticing that you've been "studying". The book concludes with lessons on interactivity and tables. I think it is most interesting that the author saves the subject of tables for the end of the book versus other texts that usually introduce them early on. This is because the author is using the more advanced lessons on CSS to help make the subject of tabular data less confusing. The book's final chapter is entitled "The Top Ten Topics We Didn't Cover", thus acknowledging that this is not an advanced book on webpage design. Each chapter has a "There Are No Dumb Questions" section that answers common questions that may be a source of confusion to the reader.
Since this book is designed to be a textbook and not a reference, you might find it handy to have a copy of O'Reilly's "HTML & XHTML: The Definitive Guide" as a reference since it lists virtually all of the HTML tags and their properties.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The 1st HTML/CSS you should get, December 6, 2005
By Johannes de Jong (Netherlands) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML (Paperback)
I've been involved with the Head First series as a reviewer from the beginning and, as such, my review might be biased, but I will regret not telling you how good this book is.

The Internet is fast becoming a means of sharing one's life with friends, colleagues and anybody out there who is prepared to listen. Some start by telling their story using a blog; the more adventurous create their own web sites, and it is that category of person that this book is aimed at. Don't make the mistake of thinking that this book, and the whole series, seems too upbeat and too young for you. This book is for all ages, The Head First series is designed to make learning fun, and though it was originally aimed at the younger generation, I personally think that old age pensioners will be able to learn HMTL the correct way just as easily as their grand children if they use this book - and you will be sooo cool if you have this book on your shelf when they, the grand kids, visit again next time.

The emphasis in this book is on creating web pages the correct way, to make pages that will work correctly in any browser. If you work through Elisabeth and Eric's book, you will end up with a web site that can withstand anything the W3C's Markup Validation Service can throw at it. And when your web pages pass the validation, you can put the W3C's cool "passed validation" logo on your site. A sign of recognition that you know what you are doing.

This book does not require you to have prior HTML knowledge; it takes you by the hand and teaches you everything you need from scratch. But don't be fooled, I was the review manager for this book and even some of the reviewers with years of HTML knowledge under their belt learnt new things from it. Sure, it isn't a complete HTML reference book, and it does not intend being one, but it lays the foundations for a solid start to becoming a true HTML/CSS expert.

I think this book should become the standard text book in HTML/CSS courses in schools, colleges and even professional training centers.

I highly recommend it to all. It will make the perfect Christmas gift for your family, all ages !!!, friends and even colleagues who are thinking about or are doing something with a web site of their own.
Have fun.

Like I said, I might be biased, but I am sure an independent reviewer will confirm what I said.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
94 of 112 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best HTML/XHTML/CSS Book Ever, December 29, 2005
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML (Paperback)
******
This book SHOULD receive 6+ stars.

Are you tired of reading reference manuals? Get ready for some fun with "Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML". This is not your ordinary technical manual. It is funny, interesting, VERY helpful---even for seasoned professionals, great for beginners, and unlike anything you've ever seen before, unless you're familiar with other "Head First" books.

I wish, I wish, I pray, that instructors will read this book and see that learning can be fun, interesting, and enjoyable. If you purchase this book, no matter what your level of HTML familiarity, I guarantee that you will be entertained and informed. Even if you have spent years designing web sites, you won't mind spending $23 to read a prototype of what technical manuals SHOULD be but never are...until now!!

Buy this book....you won't be sorry.

I stayed up until midnight last night reading answers to questions I'd always wanted to ask but never knew who to ask them of...and being fascinated. A true beginner will need to study this book. A professional will laugh and be refreshed and have a lot of fun with it. All should purchase it and support a new way of learning!
******
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars A Whole Lot of Nothing
Just how stupid do these people think we are?
I hate this book. Like the other one-star reviewers, I find the cartoony illustrations and jaunty hand-printed notes in the... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Charlotte Tressler

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Godsend!
This book is excellent for learners to totally understand every little detail that needs to be typed to make a webpage. Read more
Published 8 days ago by mlfmaclover24

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent teaching tool
At first, I thought this book was a little silly and shallow, but the more I got into the book, the more I realized I was learning. Read more
Published 12 days ago by S. DeMent

5.0 out of 5 stars Great tutorial book
If you are looking for a reference book, this book is not for you. If you are looking for a great tutorial book with great step-by-step projects, look no further than the "Head... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Daniel N Viggiani

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent walkthrough for beginners!
This book is great for those who are looking at making a web page for personal or business use. I love how it puts everything in a well organized manner from beginning to end,... Read more
Published 17 days ago by Brandon

5.0 out of 5 stars A completely un-techie way to learn a technical subject
Love the Head First Series of books as a teacher, reader and writer. Clever format that makes learning technical subjects a breeze.
Published 1 month ago by Roxanne Mchenry

2.0 out of 5 stars I can't stand this sort of book
Excessively annoying presentation style. They assume you're a total idiot for buying this book, which maybe you are! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Steven

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't beat an O'Reilly book
I've purchased several O'Reilly books and they've all been great. "Head Fist HTML with CSS & XHTML" is no exception. Read more
Published 1 month ago by brad

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written
The style of this book aids remembering the material. It's actually fun to read and do the homework. I find myself looking forward to reading the next lesson.
Published 1 month ago by Unix Geek

5.0 out of 5 stars An EXCELLENT teaching guide to learning HTML and CSS!!!
Let me just start by saying that this book is NOT intended to be a reference manual! If you're looking for a book that simply tells you how to write a "div" tag or how to create a... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jeff Breen

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
Integrating XHTML/CSS into an existing website? 0 July 2007
See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
   





Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.