This book investigates the underlying implementation mechanisms of the C++ language to explain how object-oriented features are supported at the machine level. Stanley B. Lippman, a former member of the C++ development team at Bell Laboratories, utilizes his deep technical expertise to demystify the language's internal architecture. By analyzing the semantic implications of object models, he provides a framework for developers to understand the performance costs and trade-offs inherent in C++ code. The text serves to bridge the gap between high-level programming abstractions and their actual execution behavior.

Experts and systems programmers consistently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the mechanics of C++. Readers frequently note the high technical density of the prose, which is best suited for experienced developers seeking to master the language's internals.