> Here's a rule of thumb: If the O'Reilly company publishes a book called "<blank>: The Good Parts" the thing that's in the <blank> is evil!.

-- Matthew Butterick, RacketCon 2013

http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9780596804381.do

I liked the looks of http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9780596804381.do when I browsed it in a bookstore. But I got my start with the book citizenkeys recommends, and largely I get by with the on-line documentation.

It looks like the book for that is already out: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596804381

it's a miniseries: *, the Good Parts

http://www.amazon.com/Java-Good-Parts-Jim-Waldo/dp/059680373...

http://www.amazon.com/PHP-Good-Parts-Delivering-Best/dp/0596...

http://www.amazon.com/PHP-Good-Parts-Delivering-Best/dp/0596...