When comparing JavaScript: The Good Parts vs Speaking JavaScript, the Slant community recommends JavaScript: The Good Parts for most people. In the question“What are the best resources to learn JavaScript?” JavaScript: The Good Parts is ranked 6th while Speaking JavaScript is ranked 21st. The most important reason people chose JavaScript: The Good Parts is:
JS can be a confusing language and often provides difficulty writing good code that uses objects and methods. Crockford explains why that is and how to think about the language to avoid confusion.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Explains what makes JS confusing and how to go about it
JS can be a confusing language and often provides difficulty writing good code that uses objects and methods. Crockford explains why that is and how to think about the language to avoid confusion.
Pro Good for intermediate programmers
The book requires basic understating of how programming works and even some understanding of JavaScript itself.
Pro Well written and very thorough
A mostly complete reference to the language, its history, its powers and its weaknesses.
Cons
Con Lack of consistency
Where some parts of the book cover very basic concepts, other parts expect at least an intermediate understanding on JavaScript. There is a lack of consistency, causing some confusion as to who the book is aimed at.
Con Assumes some programming knowledge
This book is not for beginners. It's targeted towards people who already have programming experience, though not necessarily in JavaScript.