I'm a member of a student chapter of ACM, and we're starting up a mini-library project. We plan on raising funds to buy some books so the students can learn through independent study.

Currently on the to buy list is The OpenGL SuperBible, and Game Physics Engine Development.

We're also looking to buy:
-A DirectX book for beginning game programmers
-An XNA book for beginning game programmers
-An intro to programming book for people who are learning C++ as a first language
-An intro to programming book for people who are learning Java as a first language
-An intro to programming for people who are learning C# as a first language

Does anybody have any book recommendations for these topics?

Does anybody have any other recommendations? What we're trying to do trying get books that'll allow them to start up their own projects and also help them when they're looking to get a job. Basically, if you had somebody working for you what books would you have wanted them to have finished already?

All programming recommendations wanted. Not just game programming, but also web, desktop, database, mobile, and really any type of computer science books.

Note: The college's offical language was C++, recently changed to Java, is again changing to psuedo code (ugh). On top of that, they're making an introduction to logic class a prerequisite to the first programming class (ugh²). This is why these intro books are important, so the freshman can learn something useful their first semester.

C++: Stroustrup new book is a must Programming, Principles and Practices
Java: Anything that is NOT the Deitels :D Kidding, Head First Java
DirectX: Frank Luna's Title?
XNA/C#? What are those things?

-A DirectX book for beginning game programmers
Frank Luna book as mentioned is good but may be too much for a beginner. In that case have a look at the Wendy Jones DX book.
-An XNA book for beginning game programmers
Learning XNA 3.0: XNA 3.0 Game Development for the PC, Xbox 360, and Zune
-An intro to programming book for people who are learning C++ as a first language
Beginning C++ Through Game Programming, Second Edition
-An intro to programming book for people who are learning Java as a first language
Head First Java
-An intro to programming for people who are learning C# as a first language
Head First C#.

In Addition new C++: Stroustrup new book " Programming, Principles and Practices"
or Accelerated C++ or C++ Primer for 2nd C++ book.

Schaum's Outline of Discrete Mathematics, Revised Third Edition has some Logic and most other math related stuff you will come across in other programming books.

Programming in Objective-C 2.0 (2nd Edition) by Kochan is good place to start.


[Edited by - daviangel on July 3, 2010 1:47:56 AM]

These books look great.

Also I'm looking for a good PHP, &#106avascript, and Objective C book. We definitely wanted to include something for Web and Mobile Development.

# "Accelerated C++" Andrew Koenig and Barabara Moo
# "The C++ Standard Library" Nicolai Josuttis
# "Effective C++" Scott Meyers
# "More Effective C++" Scott Meyers
# "Effective STL" Scott Meyers
# "Exceptional C++" Herb Sutter
# "More Exceptional C++" Herb Sutter

The first is an intro book for anybody learning C++. The REAL C++.
The second is a reference book for anybody actually using the C++ standard library.
The remainder are informative books that cover major 'gotchas' in the language.

They should all be available used and cheap.