A couple weeks ago, I received an email from Chris Coyier, of CSS-Tricks, containing a review copy of his recently released “Digging into WordPress” e-book. Expecting it to be more of a mini-book, I nonchalantly told him that I’d post a review that Friday; little did I know that this was a full-fledged book, packed full of knowledge.
Update: Winners Announced
Congratulations to the following three readers who were randomly selected!
If your name is listed above, please contact nettuts@tutsplus.com to claim your prize!
“Written by WordPress veterans Chris Coyier and Jeff Starr, Digging into WordPress is 400+ jam-packed pages of everything you need to get the most out of WordPress. WordPress is great right out of the box, but unless you want an ordinary vanilla blog, it is essential to understand the full potential of WordPress and have the right tools to get the job done.”
Those of you who read CSS-Tricks will be well aware that Chris writes in a very easy-to-understand fashion. Rather than flooding each article with high-level jargon that only the most knowledgeable of us can understand, he instead dumbs each article down to the fundamentals – even to the point of being honest enough to convey when he doesn’t quite understand the reasoning behind some line of code.
As a result, he’s built a wonderful community and reputation for himself in the last few years. This book, co-written with Jeff Starr, is no different: straight-forward, easy-to-understand, and simple.
Simple Learning
Thanks to the use of fun, and helpful illustrations, even those who are brand new to WordPress will be able to dig their heals in — with minimal confusion.
The 400 page ebook covers everything from navigating the admin panel, to creating a comments form, to even more advanced topics like plugin development. And though it’s generally good practice to point out a few negatives in one’s review, it’s difficult to do so when a book is such a pleasure to read.
Heart of a Teacher
Chris and Jeff, in this book, have proven that they have the hearts of teachers. Even for intermediate to advanced WordPressers, there’s something to be learned — and at $27, the purchase is a no-brainer!
“Digging into WordPress is perfect for WordPress users in the beginner to intermediate range, but contains plenty of great information for the advanced user as well. If you have any level of experience working with web design or WordPress, this book is written to help you take WordPress to the next level.”
400 Pages of Practical Information
“There is much to learn about the World’s most popular publishing platform.
From your first steps of learning about WordPress all the way through
maintaining a site throughout the years, this book is packed with truly
practical information.”
Lots of Code Samples
“We go into depth about the anatomy of a WordPress theme. How they work, and how
to write the code you need to do the things you want. This means real code that
you can sink your teeth into, as well as copy and paste. Beyond theme
building, we introduce many tricks your functions.php file can pull off and show
you ways to increase performance and security through HTAccess.”
What About the Free Copies!?
Chris has generously offered to give away a few copies to our community. To enter, simply leave a comment, and be sure to check back on Friday to see if you were randomly chosen!
- Follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to the Nettuts+ RSS Feed for the best web development tutorials on the web.
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to our RSS Feed, Follow us on Twitter or simply recommend us to friends and colleagues!
By Jeffrey Way
Join our newsletter!
Create a Tutorial, Get Paid!
Have something to teach the world? Want to earn money doing it? Tutorials, screencasts, and articles published here on Nettuts+ are largely contributed by readers just like you! We'll pay you great money for good content. Find Out More
I’d want to read this book sometime. I’ve been using WordPress quite frequently, but who knows – I might’ve missed something about how to use it better.
Thanks Chris and Tuts
Nice book Chris! and thanks for this free copy
Looks interesting
I am a currently a student at Stafford University and have been using wordpress a lot lately but feel there is much more i could learn and this ebook may just be the holy grail.
Would be nice to get my hands on the book since I’m trying to figure out how to style and make my own WP theme.
Awesome!
I saw this online. It looks pretty cool.
Nice book! thanks for this free copy. :)
Sounds like it is packed full of useful info
I want a Copy!
Does being the first count for anything?
*shakes head*
WordPress has become my CMS of choice… It’s great. Am keen to read this book! would love a copy of it… will buy it – if I don’t win the comp :)
Hey Chris. I have some things I need to get off my chest.
I’ve been a loyal CSS-Tricks follower for a long time.
I think you should give me a free eBook because I’m sick of never winning anything in these stupid competitions.
I probably won’t even read it. I’ll probably just print it off and use it to rest my footsies on when I’m reading a REAL MAN’s tutorial or something.
But the point is you should give it to me so I feel like even if I’ve lost the respect of my family, and companionship of my friends due to my unhealthy obsession with the internet, that at least someone who’s even worse off than me (you) can relate and appreciate me for the beautiful flower I really am.
Thanks Chris… I’ll be seeing you soon boi……
Wow that’s the weirdest comment I’ve read about the book yet.
I’m afraid I can’t comply. I don’t like the idea of wasting paper for a footstool. Surely you have some old copies of REAL MAN around you could stack up instead?
If you cannot comply based on w1sh’s intention to slander your ebook by using it as a footstool… can you comply if the intentions of shamelessly begging for a copy are noble?
I am a preacher of “the Press”, a warrior of “the Word”.
Buuuuuutttttt….. seeing as how I plan to make money off of WordPress builds, $27 is a small price to pay if the book saves me a .5hr of my time.
i was recently redesign my own blog and facing some of the issue, let’s hope i can win this to improve my own blog.
you have chosen the Hybrid framework… good man… good man
hi Matt
thanks i haven’t put up my new design but it will using hybrid too : )
Winner :D or not :( .thanks Css-Chris :P
Looks great! Just started with WordPress.org yesterday, so this would be perfect.
My students are as keen as I am over this book – that is very :)
I’ve been a wordpress user/hacker for a while, but I’ve just opened the door to original WordPress theme and plugin development and would love to get a copy of this book to more fully roundout my knowledge and increase development time.
I’d love to win a copy, I’m just getting into wordpress myself, always did easy blogger stuff for project, but want the power, so…please :P
I’ve been reading his blog for quite some time. I’m
sure the book is as well written as all the articles he published!
That looks great. I read css-tricks.com often.
Nice book! still want to read it
Looks awesome!
love wordpress, and would love a copy!
Can not wait to read it. Thanks CHris and Tuts
Sounds great! Would love to have a copy. Thanks for the heads up!
Looks very good indeed!
Sure would like a copy!
I’ve been waiting for this release for a while. Grats to Chris and Jeff for finally pulling it off!
I want to read this book!!!
I would love to have this book.
Sounds like an awesome book with tons of useful information! I read both CSS-Tricks and Nettuts often, and I would love to win a copy.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Sounds like the book would be invaluable.
;o Sure to be a good read.
WordPress <3
thanks. hope i win. : )
I’d like to have a fee copy. Thanks!
Thanks Chris! Great wealth of knowledge.
I want to read this book!!! i want a copy
help a poor professional improve her pathetic website!
!!!WARNING!!! Borderline embarrassing sales pitch…
Jan, it just so happens that I am in the business of helping out poor professionals, just like yourself, for a nominal fee.
It is rumored that my past clients experience life altering euphoria after the launching of their website.
You can however install WordPress to get a damn sexy, and almost free, website.
Contact me through my website and I point you in the right direction.
Jan I have looked at your web site and I think you are in need of winning this book. Or you could always take the offer from matt.
i don’t like wordpress, but i can change my idea about it.
we fear that which we don’t fully understand… or something like that
lol @ you don’t like wordpress. What do you like so change your idea help can we?
Sounds glorious. Can’t wait to give it a read.
Thanks for the free books. I’m curious as to what is included in this book, beyond what I have already found online.
good stuff !!
I have a feeling that this is going to be the one that’s gonna help me get started with my first WP site.
Thanks a lot, I was always finding it tough to design my theme…. This book may help me!
Seems like a good book. Thanks for offering a chance for a freebie
I’d like me some of this
I’d love to win a copy.
I don’t want the book since I’ve purchased it a few weeks ago and is really impressive and amazing! I love it – thanks for the review.