When comparing Getting Started with PowerShell 3.0 Jump Start vs Windows PowerShell in Action, the Slant community recommends Getting Started with PowerShell 3.0 Jump Start for most people. In the question“What is the best resource to learn PowerShell?” Getting Started with PowerShell 3.0 Jump Start is ranked 1st while Windows PowerShell in Action is ranked 3rd.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Gets you scripting useful commands quickly
Pro Interesting hosts who are industry leaders
Not only are the hosts interesting and engaging instructors, but they are also leaders in the technology. One of the hosts, Jeffrey Snover, is the inventor of PowerShell.
Pro Free
"Getting Started with PowerShell 3.0 Jump Start" is a free online resource provided Microsoft Virtual Academy.
Pro Well organized book
At over 1000 pages long, the layout of "Windows PowerShell in Action" makes it well organized and easy to use as a reference despite the size.
Pro Author is a lead PowerShell developer
The author, Bruce Payette, is not only a good teacher and clear writer but also a lead developer on the PowerShell team at Microsoft.
Pro Exhaustive resource on PowerShell
"Windows PowerShell in Action" is a comprehensive resource on PowerShell that covers everything from the history of PowerShell to error handling and security.
Cons
Con Requires programming experience
Where as some resources act as an introduction to both scripting and PowerShell, "Windows PowerShell in Action" requires that the reader already have a scripting or programming background.