James O. Coplien

There's a set of great software patterns in here, waiting to get out. Digressions, namedropping, a very particular history of OO get in their way. Wait for the 2nd ed.

This is one of the absolutely classic books on C++, although it shows its age in that it precedes the language of patterns, while discussing "idioms" which are strongly pattern-like. This should be required reading for any half-serious C++ programmer.

Scott Meyers has described this as "the LSD book, because it is purple and it will expand your mind". I used to browse the copy in my thesis lab -- a fun guide to learning the ins and out of C++ by breaking it...

If you design with C++, and have a genuine interest in design, and improving your understanding of it, you need to read this book.