Chapter 15, "Lambda Expressions," are another new feature in C# 3.0 in which you can declare and instantiate delegates using lambda expressions. Here you will learn of the two forms that they can take: lambda statements, which are a replacement for anonymous methods, and the more abbreviated form to declare an anonymous method, the lambda expression.

Chapter 16, "LINQ: Language Integrated Query," shows you how to integrate data queries into your code. Here you learn how LINQ forms a bridge between C#'s imperative programming style and a data-acquisition languages functional nature. While there are several implementations of LINQ available, here the focus is on LINQ to Objects.

Accelerated C# 2008 is incredibly well thought out and well executed. This is not really a beginner's book, although with additional resources, beginners could benefit from it. It is really a book for someone who has been programming and using object-oriented programming, and has a solid foundation in object-oriented programming.

Throughout Accelerated C# 2008, everything from the progression of learning, right down to the examples are purposeful. For this type of book to come off properly, and not appear rushed, it has to be well thought out, since you are taken down paths very rapidly. You don't spend a lot of time on any one topic, but where you do spend time, it is well spent. No real fluff here.

The other real strength is the explanation of the new language features. The author makes them not only understandable, but they make sense as well. If you need to get up to speed quickly with C# 2008, Accelerated C# 2008 will guide you through the process quickly and motivate you to really understand C#. I highly recommend this book.