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08/23/2001 Archived Entry: "23-August-2001 -- Book Review: Don't Make Me Think"

Book Review: Don't Make Me Think (WebWord) -- "In summary, I have to say that I wish I had read this book ages ago, when I first became interested in web site design. It distills into one easy read the basic ideas that I've spent years accumulating through hard-won experience. I recommend it highly to anyone just beginning to try to understand what makes web sites usable." (Comments: This is a guest review by Dick Miller. If you are interested in learning more about Don't Make Me Think, read the interview that I conducted with Steve Krug back in June.)

Replies: 3 comments

I don't have the book right in front of me (must've left it at home), but as I recall, the introduction says something like, "Unless there is a total meltdown in the dot-com bubble, there will be plenty of work for usability professionals." Oh, the irony. Also, one of the first examples (IIRC) is "flooz.com", which is currently in the process of biting the dust.

I assigned this book as a "recommended" text for my advanced tech writing class, but it's proved so useful (short, not too technical) that I'm thinking of upgrading it to "required."

Posted by Dennis G. Jerz @ 08/23/2001 12:18 PM EST

The most compelling feature of the book Don't Make me Think, by Steven Krug, is that it is a fine example of the ideas that it expresses.

The book is simple, relatively short, and gets right to the point. It is one of the most usable, and useful books I've come across in a long while.

Posted by William Slawski @ 08/23/2001 08:31 AM EST

I'm about halfway through this book and I think every web page designer should be required to read this before they are ever allowed to write a single piece of html. Beyond that, there are lessons in here for every discipline which creates GUI's.

Posted by erik dufek @ 08/23/2001 01:58 AM EST

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