"Windos game programming Gurus" Good or Bad?
 

I have recently purchased "Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus" by Andre lamothe. I was recommended to it by a few forums. But, as I ask about it on other forums, people tell me it is the worst book ever and it completely useless. What i want to kno is if it is overall a good/bad book. Of if I can learn stuff from it. (i dnt plan on using the book till the summer).

Whats is your goal? 2d game programming? OpenGL? 3d game programming? DirectX?

That's the book I used to learn DirectX. Personally, I like it. I got it because it covers a really wide range of topics and experience levels. But the coverage might be a bit thin in places.

I also rely heavily on gamedev.net, and a couple of other books that Lamothe edited that are on more specific topics, like special effects and isometric game programming. I initially tried "Teach Yourself DirectX 7 in 24 hours," but found that utterly confusing.

Books are books! Use it as a guide! But if you can't program or write algorithms in the first place, don't bother starting with that book.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by this, but if one replaces "that book" with "that learning resource", one is left with silly drivel. If you mean that 'that' book is worthless, then the proposition may be true.

With your previous post in account, I personally wouldn't even think about purchasing that book until you get a grasp on the fundamentals of programming and the C++ language.

In general i find game programming books to be a bit poo, unless they are a bit more project based. So be careful if you do buy one.

However if you are determined to get into game programming, then I would recommend the following two books that would be ideal for you to start on, both of which teach all the fundamentals of C++ programming and OO concepts by creating mini console based games using these techniques. I believe the first one also has some little bits of directX near the end although possibly depricated due to its age.

C++ programming for the Absolute Beginner
ISBN:1931841438

and

Beginning C++ Game programming
Michael Dawson
ISBN:1592002056

Telling if sth is good or bad is really subjective. It depends on the repliers knowledge on the topic and the posters knowledge. So if you don`t know a programming language, i would recommend to the intermediate level, and going straight to game programming is bad. You can`t take a Hard Disk at home from the supermarket without paying for it.

In my opinion books are always good. as Thomas Edison has said : "I have discovered 2000 ways on how not to produce a light bulb and only a way of doing it correctly."

Well old friend, it seems that I've confused you again. What I meant was, if he can't program in the first place, how much do you think "Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus" will help him? Most game programming books I've come across are either concept heavy or focuses on particular packages or can be classified to be in a position between the two. They are strictly about learning "game programming." Those books won't help a lot if the reader is inexperienced in programming and solving problems.

And well, according to me, books are strictly guides. Their role is rather passive in the learning process. You can only lead a newb to water but you cant make them drink.

And it seems that something has confused you. People are not born knowing much more than how to suck nourishment, breathe, and shit. Most everything else is learned, and learning resources are required. Obviously, these materials cover a range: useless to excellent. "If you can't..." (do something or other) "...in the first place" is a silly statement and implies that learning is not something that can be accomplished.

Tricks assumes you know C++... and that's about it. It teaches Win32 API programming and DirectX 8. Personally, I think it's brilliant, if a little outdated.