Stroustrop is, or at least in its later editions became, a pretty indespensable C++ book. Most of the topics in C++ are best addressed by it. Unfortunately, C++ is a nightmare of a language, so there are many, many topics, and you don't read it cover-to-cover any more than a cook would read New Pro Chef or McGee cover-to-cover.
I have read neither K&R nor the C++ book cover-to-cover, but the C++ book is standing practically unused on my bookshelf, while my K&R is noticeably worn.
