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Please note that C++ has changed significantly over the years, so a book that was recommended three or four years ago may no longer be current.

Accelerated C++ by Andrew Koenig & Barbara Moo [Highly Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
This book is a strong contender for my 'C/C++ Book of 2000'

Borland C++ Builder 3 for Dummies by Jason Vokes [Highly Recommended]

Chris Hills writes:
If you feel that you need a helping hand introducing you to C++ Builder this is the book.

Borland C++ Builder 3 in 21 Days by K Reisdorph [Recommended]

Brian Bramer writes:
A clear easy to read introductory text to C++ Builder with plenty of sample code (available from web site), screen dumps, etc....
...Recommended!

C++ Complete by Anthony Rudd [Recommended]

James Gordon writes:
For the price this is a good reference book which I will use from now on.

C++ From the Beginning by Jan Skansholm [Recommended]

Christer Loefving writes:
To write a book about C++ aimed for beginners is not an easy task, but this is a real good one...
I think the speed in this book (after the first chapters) will make it hard to read for the real beginner... ...However, this title is well worth its price.

C++ How to Program by Deitel & Deitel [Recommended with Reservations]

Chris Hills writes:
This is book that grew on me. It is a flexible design that will have use after its initial reading. Recommended.

C++ Primer 3rd ed by Stanley B Lippman & Josee Lajoie [Highly Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
Thanks to the authors we have an introductory text that sets a standard for others to aspire to.

C++ Primer 3rd ed by Lippman & Lajoie [Highly Recommended]

Brian Bramer writes:
This is a very good introductory text suitable for a reader with some experience of procedural programming (C, Pascal, Modula 2, etc.) or OO programming. It is fast moving, packed with plenty of example programs and clear detailed explanations... ...Highly recommended!

C++ Primer Answer Book by Clovis Tondo & Bruce Leung [Highly Recommended]

Brian Bramer writes:
I found this a very interesting book with good quality solutions and associated discussion.

C++ Primer Answer Book by Clovis Tondo & Bruce Leung [Recommended]

Steven Flintham writes:
Recommended for anyone learning C++ from C++ Primer; it makes doing the exercises that much more worthwhile.

C++ Primer for C Programmers by Jay Ranade & Saba Zamir [Recommended with Reservations]

Philip Kerrigan writes:
I recommend this book, although it is not without its problems, and as an introduction not as a reference work.

C++ Problem Solving and Programming by Kenneth A Barclay & B Gordon [Recommended]

Ian Cargill writes:
I've looked at quite a lot of C++ books and I would say this one is considerably above average. Recommended.

C++ Programming Language (Second Edition), The by B. Stroustrup [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
If you are already a reasonably fluent programmer you will find The C++ Programming Language helpful and the tutorial element is much stronger in this edition than in the original.

C++ Programming Language 3rd ed, The by B Stroustrup [Highly Recommended]

Brian Bramer writes:
I liked the structure of the book with part one taking the reader through traditional procedural programming techniques and then moving onto OO in part two. This enables readers to use and appreciate objects without having to plunge into the implementation details of classes.

C++ Programming Language Special Edition, The by Bjarne Stroustrup [Highly Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
When your current copy of The C++ programming Language falls to pieces replace it with a copy of this edition.

C++ Solutions - Companion to The C++ Programming Language Third Edition by David Vandevoorde [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
A book worthy of your study if you are anything less than a C++ expert.

C++ Solutions - Companion to The C++ Programming Language Third Edition by David Vandevoorde [Highly Recommended]

Brian Bramer writes:
A useful book that can be used to check ones solutions to exercises in The C++ Programming Language.

C++ for Professional Programmers by Stephen Blaha [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
I find it very difficult to say much more about this book because I think it is a well designed first reference on C++ programming.

C++ for Programmers by Leendert Ammeraal [Recommended]

Mark Webb writes:
I would recommend this book for those wanting to learn C++.
This is a book that I would keep by my desk.

C++: An Introduction to Computing by Adams [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
This is an excellent book and one well suited to a general computing/programming course.

C+C++: Program with Objects in C & C++ by Allen I Holub [Recommended]

Graham Patterson writes:
He has a clear, conversational style that sounds like a good lecture, or the advice of a knowledgeable colleague.

C/C++ Treasure Chest by Victor Volkman [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
For students and hobbyists with the right attitude this is well worth a look.

Complete C++ Training Course, The by Deitel & Deitel [Highly Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
I would very much like to hear the experiences of genuine novices who use this package to learn C++

Complete Reference Visual C++ 5, The by Chris Pappas & William Murray [Recommended]

Al Lines writes:
...Certainly having the basics of C and C++ along with the IDE in one place is useful. Combined with the quite reasonable price, one to add to the bookshelf.

Computing Concepts with C++ Essentials 2nd ed by Cay Horstmann [Recommended with Reservations]

Francis Glassborow writes:
I think he has a sane balance between using the language and understanding it.

Computing Concepts with C++ Essentials by Cay Horstmann [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
It is not a book about object-orientation. It is a book intended for the novice programmer who has had no serious exposure to programming before (there are quite a few who might profit from pretending that they were in this group).

Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with C++ 2ed by Carrano & Helman & Veroff [Recommended]

Mike Ellis writes:
This book is intended to teach young programmers, perhaps still at university or early in their careers, techniques that will be valuable for a long time.

Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with C++ by F Carrano [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
There are many professional programmers who would profit from reading this book, if only they could find the time to do so (and in too many cases, the humility to admit that they still have much to learn).

Design and Evolution of C++, The by Bjarne Stroustrup [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
Bjarne Stroustrup's book is a carefully worked description of his view of the development of C++.

Developing C++ Software, (Second edition) by Russel Winder [Highly Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
Are you serious about learning to develop software in C++? If yes, are you willing to do some work learning to do it well? If yes then go out and buy this book.

Developing Professional Applications for Windows 95 & NT by Brain & Lovette [Recommended]

Edward Crosby writes:
For anyone with some C/C++ experience and with MS VC++ wishing to have an introduction to the MFC then this book is recommended.

Evolution of C++, The by Jim Waldo [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
The papers are often about contentious proposals about the language and are part of a continuing debate about the way that things should progress.

File Structures, An Object Oriented Approach with C++ by M. Folk [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
This is a book about designing and using file structures. As such it makes an excellent study of this important subject area.

Industrial Strength C++ Rules & Recommendations by Henricson & Nyquist [Highly Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
This book is about coding style for C++. As such it should be on the reading list of every professional C++ programmer, and it would serve as a good basis for a coding standard for your programming group.

Java/C++ Cross-Reference Handbook, The by Frederick F Chew [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
In the meantime if you work in a mixed Java/C++ environment having this book to hand would fairly quickly pay for the cost of purchase.

Learn C++ on the PC by Dave Mark [Recommended]

Eddie Boyle writes:
I strongly recommend it if you are learning C++ on your own without any guidance.

Learning C++ A Hands on Approach (2ed) by Eric Nagler [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
If you want a simple exposition of the syntax of C++ and are willing to postpone details of appropriate use for serious programming this is the book for you.

Learning C++ by Neill Graham [Recommended]

Pippa Hennessy writes:
To summarise - if you want to learn C++, this book is an excellent purchase!

MFC Answer Book, The by Eugene Kain [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
...you should find a spot for this book within comfortable reach of your work area.

Microsoft Guide to C++ Programming, The by K Christian [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
Overall an excellent book well up with standard set by other Microsoft Press publications.

Newnes C++ Pocket Book by Conor Sexton [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
Excellent value for money.

Newnes C++ Pocket Book by Conor Sexton [Recommended]

Jim Bartholomew writes:
For a book of its size, it gives a remarkably full coverage of its subject matter...

Object-Oriented Software in C++ by Michael Smith [Recommended]

Ian Cargill writes:
I must say from the outset that I am quite impressed with this book. I like Smith's writing style and method of presentation.

Programming in C++ (Second Edition) by Paul Chirlian [Recommended]

Paul Dettman writes:
It is clear, well presented and an interesting read. It's not expensive, either, many books of this type will set you back anything up to £35.

Schaum's Outlines Essential Computer Mathematics by Seymour Lipschutz [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
I was very happy to find that the C++ book and the Essential Computer Mathematics books were much more what I expect from a Schaum Outline.

Schaum's Outlines Fundamentals of Computing with C++ by John Hubbard [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
I was very happy to find that the C++ book and the Essential Computer Mathematics books were much more what I expect from a Schaum Outline.

Scientific and Engineering C++ - An Introduction with Advanced Techniques and Examples by Barton & Nackman [Highly Recommended]

Sean Corfield writes:
If you don't already own this book, buy it now!

Simple C++ by Jeffrey M Cogswell [Recommended with Reservations]

Chris Simons writes:
I recommend this book for the complete beginner. Its readability and genuinely OO approach are a refreshing combination.

Teach Yourself Visual C++ 6 in 21 Days by Davis Chapman [Recommended]

Christer Loefving writes:
...but for a thorough introduction to Visual C++ 6 I would recommend this text.

Thinking in C++ by Bruce Eckel [Recommended]

Chris Simons writes:
Its range and depth of coverage of C++ are excellent

Thinking in C++ by Bruce Eckel [Highly Recommended]

Peter Booth writes:
For me, it was money well spent.

Tom Swan's Code Secrets by Tom Swan [Recommended]

Francis Glassborow writes:
I think this is an excellent book for the amateur programmer and many professionals would benefit from working through some of the chapters before chasing up some of the more heavy weight tomes.

Turbo C++: A Self-Teaching Guide by [Recommended]

Alan Cocks writes:
I'm sure the book will be a best seller. Get your copy before it sells out.

Using Borland C++ 3 (Second Edition) by Atkinson & Atkinson [Recommended]

David V. Goadby writes:
For me, this is the book, it is always on my desk!

Visual C++ MFC Programming by Example by John Swanke [Recommended]

Jon Lacey writes:
All in all a nicely laid out book

Visual C++ Windows Shell Programming by Dino Esposito [Recommended]

Dave Rutlidge writes:
highly accurate, relevant and practical.

Waite Group's C++ Programming (Second Edition), The by John Berry [Recommended]

Philip Kerrigan writes:
There is no doubt in my mind that this is a book worth getting.

Please note that opinions are those of the individual reviewers.

At about the time that I was making my choice for 1998 James Coplien's new book 'Multi-Paradigm DESIGN for C++' (0 201 82467 1) landed on my desk. Any book by Jim has got to be a contender and this one fully lives up to its promise. If you are one of those who think 'OO == good, non-OO == bad' you need to read this book. If you already have a broader perspective the book will help refine and develop your insights.

Great, I thought, a clear winner. I was about to put fingers to keyboard when there was a ring on my doorbell and I found myself signing for a red-hot copy of 'Generic Programming and the STL' by Matthew Austern (0 201 30956 4). Every now and again new books provide a new view of potential (Barton & Nackman's Scientific & Engineering C++ comes to mind). Sometimes these books are reasonably readable. Generic... is a highly readable and very informative book on Generic (not to be confused with Genetic) Programming and shows how the STL forms the kernel for this paradigm in C++. It also gives a clear exposition of how to develop and extend the STL for yourself. This is a book you must read if you think yourself a serious C++ programmer.

The clear winner in a vintage year is Matthew Austern for his 'Generic Programming and the STL' and my thanks for the very generous email from Jim accepting second place and congratulating the winner.

BTW competition in 1999 is going to be even more intense because I know of several outstanding technical authors who have books in preparation.