Rating: 

Personally, I was having high expectations of JavaScript: The Missing Manual. I was hoping for an improvement on my client-side scripting, an aspect of webprogramming on which I have always been lacking skills. Unfortunately, this book failed to do so. Contrary to what is on the front or back of the book, it's main content is how to use a javascript framework (i.e. jQuery) to implement certain nice and/or useful features on your website. However, I was already using a framework (prototype/script.aculo.us) to get those neat 'web 2.0 artwork', but I wanted to be able to write my own framework. Besides that, why would I switch from prototype/script.aculo.us to jQuery?

So, in the end, only the first few chapters which explain in general the working and syntax of JavaScript were good for me. I had already read some about that, but it was a good opportunity to freshen up that knowledge. But if you're really looking for something to learn JavaScript from, leave this book on its shelf. However, if you're looking for a way to get fancy websites fast using jQuery, this could be just the book for you!