I read the first edition of this book cover-to-cover, and it gave me an incredible jumpstart in learning how to use LaTeX, including creation of custom styles and commands. Since then, it has remained my top reference for LaTeX, to the point where the book has nearly fallen apart. The second edition includes much-needed updates for new or more recent versions of packages, and remains as useful and complete as ever. ( )

Helped me through my diploma thesis and beyond. Probably THE most complete LaTeX reference you can get on paper. ( )

An exhaustive review of LaTeX and a large number of packages. Its sometimes terse explanations make it more difficult for the beginner. ( )