Is this good writing?

Today, for the first time in a long time, I took at look at the book that I first learned Java from. It is "SAMS Teach Yourself Java 2 in 21 Days" by Laura Lemay and Rogers Cadenhead. I have the first printing from March of 1999. I stumbled upon a piece of writing that I really like. It comes at the very beginning of chapter 2:

Object-oriented programming is a lot like beer.

Most people who take a drink of the malted beverage for the first time don't like it, and may even question the sanity of those who sing its praises. "What have I ever done to you," they exclaim, "that you would make me imbibe this?"

Over a period of time, however, an appreciation of beer can be cultivated in those who continue to drink it. (For many people, this period of time is called college.)

Object-oriented programming, like beer, is an acquired taste. It's one of the most remarkable programming ideas to be introduced in recent years, and also the source of great consternation for programmers unfamiliar with it.

At the end of the chapter (30 pages later) in the summary, it says:

If this is your first encounter with object-oriented programming, you might have discovered another way in which it is similar to beer.

Object-oriented programming is also capable of making you dizzy, disoriented, and perhaps a bit nauseated.

If today's material seems theoretical and overwhelming at this point, don't be alarmed. You will be using object-oriented techniques for the rest of this book, and it will become familiar as you gain more experience using it.

I like that writing because it made me want to continue reading (because I was having fun). I also liked that the author put the reader at ease by saying: "don't be alarmed." It makes the reader think, "hey, I can handle this."

What do you think about that writing. I enjoyed it, but would that be considered good writing by people who are in-the-know?

It really depends on the target audience the book is after. I am sure if it was after a younger audience than it would not be right since they should not be able to relate to it (some might).

I really think that a book should be fun to read. In the series I write for, I would not be able to get away with something like that. I would love to write stuff like that in it to make it fun to read, then people might buy it!

Eric

I like that writing because it made me want to continue reading (because I was having fun). I also liked that the author put the reader at ease by saying: "don't be alarmed." It makes the reader think, "hey, I can handle this."

I'm with you on both these counts.