Sometimes technical, sometimes not, never a kitty

This is a short review because about 85% of the book is code samples.  ASP.NET 2.0 Cookbook is divided into 21 chapters, covering topics ranging from Master Pages, error handling and web parts.  The major improvements in ASP.NET 2.0 are in here, including examples of the GridView control, profiles and themes.  Every example includes a brief description of the problem to be solved, an overview of the solution, and some deeper discussion about the solution.  In all, there are 125 solutions presented in 980 pages, so you can see there is ample coverage of every solution.  As you progress through the chapter, each example builds on the skills and knowledge developed in the previous example, but is a complete example unto itself.  Additionally, every example is presented in both VB.NET and C#.  Not only is this good for cut and paste purposes, but it's a good way to practice the language you don't use primarily.  Speaking of cut-and-paste, there is a 45-day trial to the Safari Bookshelf, which will allow you to search all sorts of books, and cut and paste from the code examples.

I've obviously not used every example in the book, but he ones I have used have been useful, complete and informative.  Examples are written as inline code, so examples will work with Visual Web Developer Express, as well as Visual Studio 2005.  If you want to use the code-behind or code-beside models, you'll have to do a little translation on your own.  The code samples and sample database are available for download from thre author's website, for easier use in your projects.

I don't recommend this as your "introduction to ASP.NET 2.0 book"; this book is meant mainly for developers who have been through the basics and have some familiarity with Visual Studio or Visual Web Dev Express.  If you're familiar with ASP.NET 1.1, and want a way to get up to speed with some major improvements in ASP.NET 2.0, I think you'll find this is a good book to get you there.