"JavaScript: The Good Parts" by Crockford is excellent. It convinced me to minimize the use of JavaScript and thereby avoid the perils of the programming cutting edge (e.g., node.js). He also showed me how, in JavaScript, to add two numbers by calling a function that passes back another function that I can then call to add the numbers - just what I needed!8-))

But seriously, I used JavaScript with abandon years ago and found it laughable then. Crockford's book taught me that JavaScript hasn't changed much in the intervening years - still a hoot as a programming language. You can get just enough done with it if you stay minimal: try to do too much and you'll end up down the creek without a paddle.

FWIW here's a good article that discusses pros and cons of functional JavaScript. http://bolinfest.com/javascript/inheritance.php

I find The Definitive Guide is completely unnecessary with access to the internet.

It's not just a reference, the first portion of the book is good overview of the language and browser APIs.

I agree.

Plus, the book was available before we had all the different resources on the web. I read a few years and rarely refer to it anymore but I especially liked the parts on browser inconsistencies.(my edition is dated now, but served its purpose at the time i bought it)

The version I bought in 2008/9 was already bit outdated (the 5th edition?), and I agree - I haven't really used it very much. I've learned a lot more from the other resources tlrobinson suggests. I find the Flanagan book rather reminiscent of the JS state of the art, circa 2004. I don't think it places enough of an emphasis on understanding techniques like using closures and other methods of working with scope.