This book gives the reader a great introduction to object oriented programming in Visual Basic. It will help you to realize that if you've programmed the basics in Visual Basic (perhaps with John Smiley's first book), objects really aren't that much harder than what you've been doing. It's just a different approach.

All programming books should concentrate on having the reader do examples. The author makes sure of that. He works on taking a normal, working Visual Basic project and redoing it as object-oriented. The CD includes the files from the old project and you re-program it object-oriented as you step through the lessons. There are chapters on Collection objects, manipulating Excel and Word by using VB OOP, and creating ActiveX components.

The book is almost 700 pages because the author uses a "classroom" dialog. He was attempting to do two things: put it in a classroom-simulated situation and keep it an enjoyable read (unheard of with programming books) with comments from the class. I like the idea, but the comments get tiresome, adding extra fluff not needed in the book.

I had to get this book because of the rave reviews and because I wanted to advance my knowledge of Visual Basic. The book really takes off in the later chapters, just maintain the same patience you'd have if you were sitting in a classroom and had to listen to other people speak up.