Despite what one might think based on the title alone, Creating Killer Interactive Web Sites does not present much instruction at all in the use of HTML -- neither simple nor interactive. And, for that reason alone, I might be tempted to discount it as a useful text for those interested in improving their web design skills. However, by focusing on traditional design concepts as they relate to the latest in web design, the text presents a whole new way of looking at this specific sort of creative process, from concept to launch. For those like myself who tend to approach HTML as mainly an exercise in coding, Creating Killer Interactive Web Sites may very well open up a whole new insight in the process of designing single web pages and entire web sites.

To be fair, there is a good amount of interactive code made available on the book's companion website. However, the text's focus is not on HTML markup, but rather on other crucial elements in the design process -- starting from evaluation of the client's identity and its promotion throughout the site, to development of a site hierarchy and architecture for a targeted audience.

In the middle sections of the book, considerable attention is paid to discussions of bandwidth constraints and how best to accommodate visitors on a variety of browsers and platforms and connection rates . The last two chapters are devoted to an in-depth exposition on how best to go about promoting and maintaining a site. Sidebars interspersed throughout the text present useful tips and tricks as well as limited discussions on several of the latest technologies. Pointers to additional information on the web are included in one of the two appendices. A short list of useful development tools is included in the other.

All in all, Creating Killer Interactive Web Sites lives up to its promise of using a "highly visual, inspiring approach." Although it doesn't teach you "how to effectively use JavaScript, Java, Shockwave, Flash, cookies, web graphics, animations, style sheets, and multimedia..." as it purports on its rear cover, it does intelligently discuss why you might use such new web-based technologies (or not). The book's slick photos and companion web site illustrate the design concepts quite well. The design strategies it presents offer a whole new way of thinking about web development, and as such the book fills a huge void among all the rest of the code-centric web design texts currently lining bookstore shelves.