Fatbrain.com reviewed this book and the publisher's summary, and found that the summary accurately reflects the book's contents. These 47 programming puzzles will stump you more often than not, but this text is not just a random collection of problems, mistakes or insights into C++. Using a problem and solution format to teach real-world software design, author Herb Sutter explores coding relationships, subtle traps and outright pitfalls. Know C++ well or be humbled. It's a good idea to keep a C++ reference handy while you cry over the code, even though Sutter annotates and explains the problems and solutions very well. Topics are rated in order of difficulty, and include some of the most complex coding issues (and elegant techniques) found in real-world C++ environments. But keep side effects and relationships in mind -- the author gets you up to speed with these too. This interesting text/exam not only teaches the "how," but more importantly, the "why" of solid C++ programming. Some of these problems may find their way into C++ certifications, and the solutions will certainly help to construct robust applications. Related Titles: We suggest the following excellent publications to help you unravel the mysteries and idioms of C++ you'll find in Sutter's text: The C++ Programming Language, Third Edition was written by the creator of C++. C++ Primer, Third Edition is not exactly a primer, but it is filled with insights and excellent, well-annotated code. Of course, there is also the popularEffective C++, Second Edition. Reviewed by RD - December 1, 1999