Rating: 

Coming from a C++ and Java background the differences and similarities are highlighted but could easily be skipped over if the reader has no previous knowledge of Java or C++(also VB6 and VB.NET).

Also another great thing that this book has been criticised for is the insistance on lots of code samples. Wow people complaining about code samples?!! I mean what do people expect from a book about programming?! UML diagrams? It's code heavy but the code is not bloated and clearly shows the practical use of the language feature. A few lines of code says a thousand words. Also typing in code samples makes it stick, how many times do you think you know something until you sit at the keyboard and say 'Wait how do I do that again?'?

Also Jesse Liberty's writing style is very easy to follow, I found that if I read this book at the keyboard or away from it that I was still taking in the content.

So if you really want to learn C# and not have to take onboard a library load of Microsoft marketing spiel then buy this book. (Also see Jesse Liberty's OnDotNet articles too at http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/au/239 )