From http://www.webdeveloper.com/reviews/book18.html

Raggett on HTML 4

Publisher: Addison-Wesley
Author: Dave Raggett
ISBN: 0-201-17805-2
Publication Date: Dec 97
Retail Price: $29.95

Let's say that you just got on the Web, and you need a book to get you up to speed in the world of HTML. You heard that HTML is up to 4.0, so you want to start with a book which teaches you the basics, but doesn't stop there. You need example code, tags, a glossary--the works! Enter Dave Raggett's Raggett on HTML 4.

Raggett, along with the three other contributing authors Jenny Lam, Ian Alexander and Michael Kmiec, have put together a book which not only explains the basics of HTML 4, but they've managed to do so in a format that's actually fun to read! The cartoon illustrations by Fred Volans really bring the book to life. Beyond that, the book covers a lot of material in a small space (the book is only a little over 400 pages, including the appendex section).

Here's a little of what is covered:

simple paragraph markup using different fonts and colors
character stylization using bold, italic, subscripts, etc.
lists: bulleted, ordered, unordered, lists within lists, etc.
hyperlinks, their life and meaning (and how to use them)
Style Sheets (pay attention here kids; this is the next step to DHTML)
graphics; how to use them, which type to use, etc.
tables, the who, what and where of them
frames, when to use them and how
multimedia and the object tag

The book is written in such a manner that you'll find it hard not to understand something; a tag is explained, an example of how it's used is given, and little tips are included in the sidelines of the book. The book is well illustrated, besides the cartoons, and will keep you entertained as well as informed. There is also an extensive appendix section, which features:

Examples of tags
Alphabetical list of HTML 4 tags
Characters (not the kind you work with)
How to name colors
URL suffixes
Country codes
Language codes
Tags that did NOT make it into HTML 4.0
Color on the Web
Applet (an in depth discussion of the use of the applet tag)

Additionally, one appendix is a fictional "visit" to a Cyber cafe, in which all the characters talk about the Net, how it affects or works for them, what they see coming in the future, etc. It's an interesting look at how people are using the Web.

If you're a professional Web developer, unless you're just starting, you may want to pass on this book. But if you're looking for a book to get you started developing Web pages, or just want a better understanding of what it's all about, then you won't go wrong with Raggett on HTML 4. And you'd have a hard time finding a more enjoyable read!