A number of the “Golden Wonder Book of Machine Code for Complete Idiots and Lame Brains on the Black and Decker Home Computer” books are absolutely awful. In face, I haven't seen a realy good one yet. Machine code freaks don't seem to be very good with words. On then to Steve Kramer's offering. Will it do the trick? Yes... and no has to be the answer here! It certainly does take you from the very beginning, getting you to enter a very simple example in the first few pages. The style, however, varies from some rather convoluted explanations to the “there... that wasn't very difficult was it?” type of remark. It's clear that Steve has tried hard t6 make it easy without missing anything out, but on occasions even his expiations are heavy going. The trouble is that the subject matter is so darned abstract that even with the copious diagrams and assembler listings it's very hard work. To give him his due though, he hasn't just taken a stock Z80 programming tome and tarted it up for the CPC464, this book is pretty machine specific. In order to make the best use of this I feel you will need to buy an Assembler/Monitor program, Amsoft's is £24.95, making a big financial commitment to your learning. I can't really advise you to make a start unless your BASIC programming is of a very high order, and you have the abilty to understand the standard manual from cover to cover. D.M. , HCW
| 
