Your manifesto is just the kind of cold slap the tech publishing industry needs! Bravo for calling out the hardcores and leaving the soft-spined behind.

I consider the HeadFirst series to be classics not only in the field of IT publishing, but in the History of Pedagogy and in the History of Human Ideas. I will be using HeadFirst Java in my Programming 1 course next year.

I hope other authors take your manifesto to heart and follow your challenge. I am afraid, though, that the problem is this: the brain trust in the IT world is dwindling in number. I don't know why we suddenly face this desert of genius, but it surrounds us. If not for you and Bert and the thinkTank at O'Reilly press, we everyday geeks would be left extremely thirsty and extremely lonely.

I thank you from the bottom of my soul. HeadFirst has not only validated my tweaky sense of humor but also my learning style. Finding your books has been like finding a true home.

Sincerely,

Rhino Benedetti