Chris Mills

Archive: July 2012

It was about eight or nine months ago that I first started talking to some folks from the Peachpit/New Riders publishers about writing my own book. I have always fancied doing so, especially considering that during my many years working for various technical publishing houses, I have edited around 150 books, or thereabouts. I really do lose count.

I have developed quite a lot of knowledge about CSS, and spend a lot of my working life these days experimenting with cutting edge CSS3 modules, so I was glad we agreed on a CSS3 book. After months of tireless writing, coding and researching work, ignoring the kids and getting huge bags under my eyes, and some months of waiting after that, Practical CSS3: Develop and Design" finally arrived, and I'm really rather pleased with it!

The main challenge was covering as much of the most exciting range of new CSS features as possible, while at the same time keeping things cross browser compatible and accessible — in my mind, a cutting edge feature is completely useless in the real world if it only works in one browser or rendering engine. I think I did a pretty good job, even down to providing alternative styling that is at least usable at a basic level in old browsers like IE6-8. I tried to balance fun and practical, and added as much of my musical stylings and unique "wit" to the project as I could. Please, check it out!

All of the code samples, online bonus material and other stuff to do with the book should be available on the official Peachpit book page. It isn't right now, but I reckon it should be in a few days.

Buy the book

Please buy my book through one of the below links if at all possible, as I'll get slightly more royalties. I am a poor, starving open web evangelist, and have barely enough money for sex, drugs and rock 'n roll as it is!

The print version: