Just what are Web Standards? This book answers that question with aplomb.
I came across this book while browsing from ALA to Zeldman.com.
Upon opening the tome, I was struck by the conspicuous lack of code. Did I get the right book? Yup, there's the quy with the toque on the cover. I found that once I started flipping pages, I could not stop.
The book reads like a story, history would be even more appropriate. The background on the post-browser-war environment and the mission of the W3C reads like a Tom Clancy novel in Zeldman's hands (albeit, one of the shorter ones).
I devoured the material and the end came quickly, but the journey was entirely satisfying. Can a sequel be far off, Mr.Zeldman?
Be prepared for a rather evangelical writing style though. I, for one, was a seeking a deeper understanding of the reasoning behind the rules. If you are more practically-minded, you may find the prose far out-weighs the code.
If you're looking for a quick boost in CSS, you'd do better elsewhere. This book is rather a treatise on practical solutions for a chaotic industry. Like one of the chapters states, "99.9% of Websites are Obsolete."
If you are new to web design, or are looking for a better outlook, give this book a try. You may fall under the standards spell.
Designing With Web Standards - Jeffrey Zeldman - New Riders Press