React Key Concepts: An in-depth guide to React's core features

by Maximilian Schwarzmüller

Confidently implement React in your next project with this in-depth overview of React's core features – now updated for React 19.



Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free eBook in PDF format

Key FeaturesWork through clear, concise explanations of core React 19 functionalitiesComplete practical exercises that challenge you to build your own simple appsDiscover full-stack React with Next.js, React Server Components, Suspense, and moreBook DescriptionMaximilian Schwarzmüller is a bestselling instructor who has helped more than three million students worldwide learn how to code. His bestselling React video course, “React – The Complete Guide”, has over eight hundred thousand students on Udemy.

Max has written this quick-start reference that distills the core concepts of React. Simple explanations, relevant examples, and step-by-step derivations make this guide the ideal resource for busy developers. In this second edition, Max guides you through changes brought by React 19, including the new use() hook, form actions, and how to think about React on the server.

This book will support you through your next React projects in giving you a behind-the-scenes understanding of the framework – whether you've just finished Max's video course and are looking for a handy reference, or you’re using a variety of other learning materials and need a single study guide to bring everything together.

You’ll find full solutions to all end-of-chapter quizzes and exercises in the book’s GitHub repository

What you will learnBuild modern, user-friendly, and reactive web appsCreate components and utilize props to pass data between themHandle events, perform state updates, and manage conditional contentApply styles dynamically and conditionally to create a modern UIUse advanced state management techniques such as React's context APIUtilize React Router to render different pages for different URLsUnderstand key best practices and optimization opportunitiesLearn about React Server Components and Server ActionsWho this book is forThis React book is for developers who have prior experience with, or who are currently learning, the basics of React. You can use this book as a standalone resource to consolidate your understanding or as a companion guide to other courses.

To get the most value from this book, you should have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS

Table of ContentsReact – What and WhyUnderstanding React Components and JSXComponents and PropsWorking with Events and StateRendering Lists and Conditional ContentStyling React AppsPortals and RefsHandling Side EffectsHandling User Input and Forms with Form ActionsBehind the Scenes of React and Optimization OpportunitiesWorking with Complex StateBuilding Custom React HooksMultipage Apps with React RouterManaging Data with React RouterBuilding Fullstack React Apps with Next.

544 pages, Paperback

Published January 14, 2025

Reviews

[dantelk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is one of the best lecturers on the market, and the book reflects this. The introduction part was as detailed as it is supposed to be. The hooks were very well explained, tough some later parts on that part required re-reading. Router part was also excellent. However, I think the NextJs and SSP section could be explained better, I somehow lost navigation there, and couldn't help to think that the author rushed too much. Actually a dedicated book for NextJs and replacing the empty pages with other concepts such as testing, advanced performance issues etc could be more appropriate. Still 5 stars. It is also great that the book is up-to-date.

This is the React equivalent of Doguhan Uluca's Angular book :)

[Giuseppe Guerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maximilian Schwarzmüller needs no introduction: his React video course is probably the most famous and well-known in the field.
I had always hoped for a paper version of his work, and when he finally announced the publication of this book, I imagined he would pour his talent for explaining concepts and his technical expertise into the written text—and that’s exactly what he’s done.
The book is written in a clear manner and, while thorough, it uses simple and accessible language (those familiar with the author will know what I mean).

Because, let’s face it, knowing a technical subject well and being able to communicate it effectively—explaining it in a way that makes sense—are two very different things. Personally, I think this book achieves both goals beautifully.

Here’s what I liked:

✅ Even though the author himself recommends it for those who already have a basic understanding of React, I believe it’s equally suitable for both beginners and more experienced developers.
I personally have very minimal knowledge of React, yet I’ve had no trouble following along. However, it’s essential to already have some foundational knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (these topics aren’t covered in the book).
Additionally, and I think this is a particularly exciting innovation, the book comes with links to cheat sheets for each chapter and videos from the author himself.

✅ The book is super up-to-date, covering React 19 (Maximilian himself mentioned in a YouTube video that the book's release was postponed multiple times until React 19 was officially released to ensure all the content was accurate).
And it’s all there: components, props, events and state, styling, hooks, server-side rendering, Next.js—you name it. Everything you need for 99% of projects is explained in this book.

✅ It’s rich in theory, but also practical.
Theoretical concepts can get a bit tedious after a while, so at the end of each chapter, there are Activities—small, truly engaging projects to put into practice what you’ve learned so far.
(These can even serve as inspiration for your own projects...)

🟥 Is there anything I didn’t like? ... Umm, nope.

In conclusion, given how the book is structured, how the topics are illustrated with detailed explanations and accompanied by practical examples, the inclusion of concrete projects to build, conceptual takeaways, and questions to test your knowledge,
this book is undoubtedly one of the best for learning and excelling in React.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to update your knowledge with React’s latest features, this book is perfect.

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book and React, not sure what came first, but this is not my first book I have on React.
This one is more for for quickly grasping on the React concept, at least was advertised so, well it seemed so, but actually it offers a lot more:
- well done intro into React so you would understand its design principals
- Master handling events and state - a have to and it is well covered, at least enough to make an SPA
- Styling - who will accept a skeleton app only? It has it covered, too
- Direct DOM access, I think many books do not explain it well, or do not spend enough time at. It is my personal fave. I encountered very much needed because often required
- Optimization - yeah glad it was bought up. Do it at a later stages, but do it
- Server Actions are also well done
Some items could improve as the chapter on React Router, for some reason I had a harder time to go around about, and custom hooks, it is just too novel for me or a tad of a foreign concept to me.
Anyways, every framework has its own hard and shiny points, I will not be too harsh on the excellent author.
I did like the material.