There have been innumerable books, magazine articles, conference sessions, training classes, and online postings on how to program for Windows. There has been very little written, however, which explains the rationale behind why Windows works the way it does. It turns out that some of Windows' odder quirks have perfectly logical reasons behind them. Gaining an understanding of this will help Windows programmers develop better applications with less sweat and frustration. For years Raymond Chen has been explaining the "why" behind Windows in his blog, and explaining it in an engaging and captivating style, which has made him one of the premier bloggers in the technology world. Now Chen distills his years of experience in one book, packed with behind the scenes explanations that will be useful for any Windows programmer. Not only is this book practical, but its style and gentle humor make it a pleasure to read. The author will be promoting it on his blog, in his monthly column in TechNet Magazine, and through his many speaking engagements. Joel Spolsky, one of the most famous of all bloggers, has written a foreword for the book.