Overall the manual seems to be a cutesy rewrite of the users manual and is written for Windows users with no help for Mac users. Although better organized than the users manual in Quicken, it provides no great insights into using Quicken more effectively. For Mac users look elsewhere, this is a windows book.

I read the fine print that this was for the Premier and Deluxe Edition, but I didn't realize how different they are from the Starter Edition, i.e., panel layouts, etc. Now I either go to one of the other editions, which I don't need or spend a lot of time trying to figure how to make the best of the Help function which is not that helpful.

Considering what a DRY subject lerning how to manage your finances can be this book is well written and easy to understand. In the introduction the author (Bonnie) gives you an email address to use if by some chance you have a question about anything, well I took her up on this and got a quick an accurate response. I was a Microsoft Money user for many years and if it was not for this book I still would be!!

I bought Quicken, and then Quickly learned that I needed some help. After buying Quicken 2008 I jumped in and tried doing things like downloading data from my bank accounts and setting up budgets. I was able to do many of the things to get my family finances running in Quicken, but if I had had this book I could have done it much quicker and without as many mistakes.

Quicken the software did not walk me through a bunch of wizards to help me set everything up. There were some wizards and helpful start up things, but I mostly had to work things out for myself. Finally, in frustration, I picked up "The Missing Manual." Then I went through the book from the beginning and either revised my previous work or deleted it altogether and reworked it using the book's advice. If you plan to buy Quicken 2008 then you should definitely pick up this book or something like it.

Now it could go into things a little more deeply than it does. I still have some questions about how Quicken is working, or why it does what it does. Sometimes I have questions that the book doesn't address. Here's an example: I have a paycheck set up with an after tax deduction that makes a payment for me via direct deposit. Even if I give that direct deposit a category, it doesn't seem to show up in my reports as an expense for that category. Why not? I don't know, and this book doesn't get that deep.

I'll need another book, I think, that does get that deep and explains the relationships among the notations and transactions. I need to know more about "if I add a transaction here then where else will it show up?" I do recommend the book if you are new to quicken, but look for something more advanced for when you get this book done.

Despite being very proficient on Quick Books, I was stumped when it came time to navitage Quicken 2008. I was frustrated and even requested a refund at one point. Not only did this book allow me to learn and navigate through Quicken, I gained tremendous knowledge about options I had never used previously! I found myself sitting on a weekend evening reading the manual as if it were a novel! There were personal touches and very easy to understand instructions. The index was thorough and would direct me to a particular topic with ease! Love the book...love the author! Well done!

I have used one form or another of Quicken since it first was published. I was forced to switch from Q2004 to Q2008 when the program quit working (sunset buried mine?) Then I learned about many bugs. So I wanted a manual that would help me negotiate through them. This book is clear, detailed, comprehensive, and moderately priced. I recommend it over the cheaper, gaudier (four-color) but "beginner's level" books available.

'Quicken 2008: The Missing Manual' is a must buy for all Quicken 2008 users that want to get the most out of their financial software. With over 400 pages of material, this it the EASIEST way to not only start doing the basics with Quicken, but EVERYTHING Quicken has to offer!!!

I've reviewed a dozen+ 'Missing Manual' books and I feel they are some of the best computer books EVER written. Exceptionally designed, laid out, written, they really should have been in the boxes of all the software they were written for. My reviews were all so glowing I finally started to just say BUY THE BOOK and I am not changing my stance here at all. If you use Quicken 2008 or want to become an uber-user, BUY THIS BOOK TO-DAY!!!

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you are looking at this book, you, too, can probably relate to my frustration trying to figure out Quicken 2008 with NO INSTRUCTIONS. I did several internet searches and was beyond frustrated at the little issues I kept running into. I was ready to throw it all out the window and then I did a search on Amazon. That's how I came across this book. After reading the other reviews, I decided to pay the extra money for overnight shipping - not reflective of my need, just my frustration level.

I read the first 150 pages within hours of getting it. The book is straightforward, simple and answers all those quirks you run into trying to get this program to do what the box says it should do. You can look up virtually every scenario and follow step-by-step instructions. After reading the first few chapters, I could easily figure out what I needed to do for my particular setup. Now, I have a fully functional Quicken 2008 setup. It is extremely helpful.

I honestly don't understand why Quicken doesn't do more to give instruction on their software. As you can appreciate, it can be extremely frustrating. However, this book is the answer. If Quicken can do it, it shows you how. If it can't, it at least tells you that upfront so you don't spend the better part of an evening trying to figure it out.

For the level of frustration it reduced within hours of receipt, this book is one of my best Amazon purchases. I am so glad I found it. Kudos to the other reviewers for doing such a good job explaining how great this book is.

As a final note, I was so frustrated with Quicken, I was tempted to buy several books just to figure out why some things weren't working right. Don't do it. This book will cover it. It is over 300 pages, well indexed, with great step-by-step instructions. It literally should be the instruction manual which should, but doesn't, come with the product.

If you are looking at this book, you, too, can probably relate to my frustration trying to figure out Quicken 2008 with NO INSTRUCTIONS. I did several internet searches and was beyond frustrated at the little issues I kept running into. I was ready to throw it all out the window and then I did a search on Amazon. That's how I came across this book. After reading the other reviews, I decided to pay the extra money for overnight shipping - not reflective of my need, just my frustration level.

I read the first 150 pages within hours of getting it. The book is straightforward, simple and answers all those quirks you run into trying to get this program to do what the box says it should do. You can look up virtually every scenario and follow step-by-step instructions. After reading the first few chapters, I could easily figure out what I needed to do for my particular setup. Now, I have a fully functional Quicken 2008 setup. It is extremely helpful.

I honestly don't understand why Quicken doesn't do more to give instruction on their software. As you can appreciate, it can be extremely frustrating. However, this book is the answer. If Quicken can do it, it shows you how. If it can't, it at least tells you that upfront so you don't spend the better part of an evening trying to figure it out.

For the level of frustration it reduced within hours of receipt, this book is one of my best Amazon purchases. I am so glad I found it. Kudos to the other reviewers for doing such a good job explaining how great this book is.

As a final note, I was so frustrated with Quicken, I was tempted to buy several books just to figure out why some things weren't working right. Don't do it. This book will cover it. It is over 300 pages, well indexed, with great step-by-step instructions. It literally should be the instruction manual which should, but doesn't, come with the product.

All the books in this series are great and this one is no exception. It does an excellent job of helping you to learn how to use Quicken effectively. It is well organized and the tips and hints are lifesavers. I have been using Quicken for years, but the lack of documentation with the program kept me from using many of Quicken's features. This book unlocked much of potential of Quicken for me.