A splendid book with one tragic flaw. Prentice Hall has shipped it in from the US and done a straight dollar-to-sterling conversion to price it at £14.95. Even for such excellence that is grossly expensive.

Author Grotke has tackled the difficult aspects of using the C64 and used advanced techniques to do it. This makes the book an ideal choice for someone looking for a guide beyond the well-charted territory of simple Basic programming.

Structured programming, developing algorithms, file handling and graphics all receive comprehensive treatment with carefully explained machine code routines introduced where necessary.

The text is clearly written with a light touch that never stoops to strained humour or condescension, and the example programs and utilities have been well chosen.

Even at as much as £8 this would be essential reading for C64 owners looking to advance their programming skills. As it is, only those with money to spare should bother looking it out.

Peter Worlock