I’m just going to go ahead and say it in the first sentence – Digging into WordPress was the best computer book I’ve ever read. Period.
Digging into WordPress was written by Chris Coyier, of css-tricks.com and Jeff Starr. The book is 375 pages of WordPress tricks, customizations and theming. It’s a great book for all levels of web development – from the very beginner, to the seasoned coder new to WordPress and even to the advanced WordPress developer.
The book itself is really heavy, and everything about it is huge. The font has to be around 16-18pt size (good if you’re blind like me) and the table of contents is extensive, listing regular chapters and subsections. The binding is spiral bound, which means it sits nice and flat on the table while reading. The cover itself is printed a little cheaply (parts of it have flaked or worn off) but the pages are of very good quality.
I’m a pretty advanced user of WordPress, so I wasn’t sure that the $67 print version (I can’t read books on the screen – sorry) was going to help me at all – and it’s VERY expensive for a book. But I’ve been looking at giving some new development books a try and since I’m a self-taught user of WordPress, I wanted to see if there was anything I was missing – turns out I’ve been missing a lot.
The book has lots of chapters, so I won’t review each one like I normally do. The book covers everything – from installation to theme development to security to SEO and everything in between. It’s a really GREAT manual.
Normally computer books put me to sleep very quickly – which is one of the reasons I tend not to read them. Not so with Digging into WordPress, the tone of the book is very light and engaging and they even crack a few geeky jokes – enough to keep the reader very interested. It also makes the book seem very personable.
I heard Chris and Jeff are getting ready to put out the second version of the book – which if you have the PDF you get free updates. (Kinda sucks for my $67 print version though) It’s supposed to add a lot more new information and fix some errors.
There were only a few cons to Digging into WordPress that I found. The biggest, obviously, is the huge sticker price for the print version. I don’t think I’ve ever paid more than $30 for a book ever in my life.
The second con is that the book tended to repeat itself in places, almost exactly word-for-word. They would mention a plugin or trick in one chapter of the book, then two or three chapters later, would mention the exact same thing. That really got annoying.
They also stuck a few tips in the weirdest places. I think I was on the customizing comments chapter when they mentioned title or meta tags or something. What did that have to do with comments? Beats me.
YES. Buy the PDF or printed version if you’re really interested in WordPress. I learned several things that I was able to implement on this site already, and will on future clients’ sites. Even though they weren’t exactly on the same topic, Digging into WordPress blew The Smashing Book out of the water – so if you only have money for one, go with the WordPress book.
Also, if you’re a designer who’s looking for great tips on designing themes, this book isn’t for you. It’s strictly code and admin items only, so you won’t find any design tips in it.
Then you’re in luck! I’m giving away one copy of the Digging into WordPress PDF! All you have to do is follow these two quick and simple steps:
That’s it! Contest starts now and ends this Friday, 5p.m central time. I’ll choose the winner randomly. Good luck!
About the authorI have over 10 years of experience in coding valid and semantic XHTML, CSS and WordPress that is both clean and SEO-friendly. Also a lover of books, interior design and cheesecake! More »
Copyright © 2010 Amber Weinberg. All rights Reserved. Please don't steal, it's really not cool! But if you'd love to work with me (you do don't you?), please contact me :)
I am totally hopeless with WP. This would add to the books/guides I have begun collecting. It sounds comprehensive and that is just what I need. Instead of refering two 2 or 3 sources, maybe I could just use this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
I want the book so I can learn the techniques you mention and to help improve my wordpress skills. Thanks for hosting the giveaway and I’m looking forward to see if I win!
I want this book because I’ve heard a lot of things about it! It’s kind a bible of WordPress.
Yeah so I would totally “Dig” winning this book! With as much WordPress development as I am doing lately I think would be a valuable resource.
It’s one of the best WP resources available, and the best part is, it’s all one in place! I’d love a copy!
as a wordpress user and blogger, i love to have it, and to gain knowledge of this to giveback good themes to design community
http://twitter.com/animhut/status/8504813767
twitter ID : @animhut
I want this book because I’d like to learn more about WordPress AND because I have really big spiders that small books just don’t kill.
Good review Amber, thanks for this!
I have been following Chris Coyier for several years now and he is very helpful with some of the simple questions that we as designers and programmers bang our heads on our desks to answer. I would love a copy of this book. I’m sure it would help me get more out of WordPress. I’ve been using it as a CMS for several of my website clients and it would be nice to find out a few more of the things I could do with it.
Thanks again for the review and keep up the good work!
This book would totally help me since I’m such a WordPress noob.
Sick book! Would love to win it!
I would love to win this book.
One of the (very few) drawbacks of developing for WordPress is that the customization tricks are spread out all over the web. Sometimes, it takes FOR EVER to find what you are looking for. This book seems to have it all in one place, which would be awesome and such a time saver!
I love hacking away at WordPress and reworking themes, any extra insight would be great!
Like you I am a self taught wordpress user and I’m very interested in wordpress, it’s my favorite peice of software and I want to know all I can about it, themeing and developing for and with it.
Working frequently with wordpress themes and never being able to get past the basics this would definitely be a life saver.
I love wordpress & like Chris Coyier’s WP book.
Twitter ID : @mokin27
My tweet :http://twitter.com/mokin27/status/8506359791
thanks for this nice review. I am interested in this book as I am a developer and want to enhance my wordpress skills.
Thanks
I really want this book,
I am diehard 4.0 {:)} fan of WordPress and really thinks that “Code is Poetry”. I also keep experimenting with my own blog when I do not have any work. For this I think, I can really learn great things about WP.
You have rated this book 5 star which makes me more passionate about this book.
Have a Great time!
I’m looking to develop my first WP site so this would be a great starting place.
Thanks for the review – I like that you covered the cons so thoroughly as well as the pros
I got the Smashing Book and loved it, so if you say this one blows that one out of the water, I know I’d reealllyyy love this one. I think it would be a great way to improve my WordPress skills.
Thanks again, and good job!
Hi Amber, I would love a copy. Since you’re a xhtlm/css hand coder as well and you’re saying: ‘was the best computer book I’ve ever read. Period.’ that makes me want to read it too.
I code custom cms/web apps, but recently I am looking into WP now, so your timing is perfect. Hope I win
Thanks for giving a copy away.
Thanks for the review! I’ve been seriously considering buying this book ever since it came out. Like you, I know my way around WordPress, but I also know that there’s still much to learn. This would be a valuable resource to me as I’m slowly making my way from the 9-5 job world into the freelance world.
By the way, keep the book reviews coming – good stuff!
A few years ago I began using specialists instead of coding old HTML (tables…) myself. I am finding that I’m turning numerous clients away because the CMS and specialists I team with require larger projects to make their cost worthwhile.
SO! I want to start helping smaller clients with wp sites and am just beginning to figure it out. I think this book will be a huge help and your review seems very genuine and well informed, so I’m trusting it.
smiles,
rudy
Like you, I’m a self-taught WordPress person, and I’d love to see all those cool tricks I’m missing. Plus, I’m a Chris Coyier fan.
twitter.com/pressento
I need all the help I can get. I’m more of a beginner and I’m tackling WordPress on a daily basis. There is so much for me to learn and maybe this book will help.
http://twitter.com/HireBuzz
I want to read this book to help me finally finish my first WordPress theme ever.
http://twitter.com/SE7ENize/status/8505241412
I have been running WordPress for years now. Most everything that I have learned about WP has been though the web, and some just from trying out things. All in all WP is a great press software for anyone. The book in PDF helps save trees and will also give me something to read on my phone.
Oh my gosh. I think this is exactly what I have been looking for. I can’t wait to get started reading.
http://twitter.com/AGuhysView
Great review Amber. I have been picking up the buzz about this book for a few weeks now, including a brief discussion with Tom Fortmuller (up there). Hey Tom! Anyway, your review really “sealed the deal” for me in terms of wanting to pick this book up in spite of the price…which has been frowned upon by several. I’ve paid more than $30 for plenty of Web related books over the last 11 years, but none that I was as certain would help speed up my WordPress work flow as what I expect this book will. I have been a CSS Tricks/Chris Coyier fan for about two years now and I’ve always appreciated his delivery. Thanks again for the review. Perhaps I’ll be able to provide a review of my own real soon!
I’m currently working on three sites right now…all built on WP! I could use all the help I can get.
I’ve been excited about this book since it was first announced months ago. After buying Rockstar WordPress Designer from Collis Ta’eed and Harley Alexander, I can honestly say that I prefer physical books vs ebooks when it comes to coding.
Their book is great for WP design, and I actually use a modded version of their example theme on my site. But I’m hoping DIWP will shore up some of the finer points of custom coding solutions.
Well, I suppose this book is really something must have. I am digging into WordPress, and would love ti learn some new tricks:)
Great write up Amber. I have been thinking about ordering a copy of this book to help me learn my way around WordPress as I start to learn more about it. This would be a big bonus in that department.
I would really like to get this book because, as I am just starting into WordPress, I would really like the extra help and guides. It sounds like a very good book to have around as I delve into the world of WP.
That’s it! No more entries!!!