Better for the more advanced programmer / Rubyist. Avoid if you are new to Programming and Ruby. Awesome reference versus tutorial.
This book is all over the map.

The definitive guide for learning Ruby programming.

Ruby is fascinating, and I'm excited to use it more.

The classic ruby book

Ruby is such an elegant language. Exhibited so, from these authors who've done a good job with introducing the it to programmers. First time programmers won't enjoy this book! But, it sure gets one up to speed with the language. It is also the only recommended book

It is the "go to" Ruby book for a reason. If you want to learn Ruby (why wouldn't you?) you pretty much HAVE to read it. A number for things that I didn't quite understand earlier, have just "clicked" when reading this book. I definitely feel like knowledge I got from it was worth the time spend reading this book.

If you're a complete complete Ruby novice (like me) you will want to read straight through the first 3 parts. Part 4 is a dry Ruby Library Reference, so you may want to leave that out until you need something specific from it.
If you know a bit about Ruby and programming in general you may simply refer to specific chapters for help in understanding specific topics. The chapter on metaprogramming is a doozy. :-)

This is a great book to have on hand if you want to go beyond the basics of Ruby. I have not read it page to page but use it more as a reference.

Bought the new version from Pragprog. Added a few errors on the errata list. Don't read this with an iPad. Go try the code samples. Some may not work on 1.9.3. Overall I am happy to have spent time reading "what I assume to have always known" about Ruby. It remains to be the most fascinating language I use. I am happy with how this book is written even if it is obviously not perfect (but looking forward to revisions). Their credits to the Japanese programmers who improve the language is good. Ruby 2.0 would even be better because of GC improvements.

pretty good book. cover every aspects of ruby.

My cover-to-cover review is on my website: http://ratfactor.com/b/programming-ru...

This is a great intro to learning Ruby.

Can't ask more of a programming book.