C++ Primer

the big 4, 2 very large dense books, and 2 small, very very very dense books: - Lippman et al, C++ Primer, 5th ed - Stroustrup, The c++ Language, 4th ed (which has earlier version "A Tour of" as 1st 150 pages - Meyers "Effective C++", 3rd ed and - "Effective Modern C++" http://www.aristeia.com/books.html (don't dismiss the others cause theyre 14+ years old, either

Second this. It's the only book I own that specifically covers a programming language. I own the fourth edition - has a slight different cover. Only complaint is the same as yours, it's pretty verbose but I guess that's what you get with c++.

Stanley B. Lippman - C++ Primer - http://www.amazon.com/Primer-5th-Stanley-B-Lippman/dp/032171... (http://www.amazon.com/Primer-5th-Stanley-B-Lippman/dp/0321714113/) I haven't been using C++ for a few years now and I needed a quick refresher. While I wouldn't call C++ Primer quick it covers all the basics really well. Great resource for people new to the language.