This is THE book on AppleScript. Written by the creator himself.
AppleScript is being... not exactly phased out. Automator definitely is. In newer versions of macOS, Shortcuts is the future of User [[Automation]].
At least, it's no longer being developed. It's all Shortcuts from here on out.
But AppleScript will probably continue to work forever. Or at least a long time so it's still valuable to learn and create with.
# Table of Contents
### Instant Applescript
1. The First Step
2. Dictionaries
3. Identifying Objects
4. Finding Objects
5. Special Folders
6. Information Tools
7. Actions with Items
8. Data Containers, Operators, and Coercions
9. Communicating with the User
10. Conditionals
11. The Repeat Loop
12. Error Handlers
### Essential Topics
13. Script Editor
14. AppleScript Utility
15. Script Properties
16. Subroutines
17. Working with Text
18. Working with Lists and Records
19. Action Clauses
20. Droplets
21. Folder Actions
22. Image Events
23. Database Events
24. Adding Timing Controls to Scripts
25. Unit Coersions
26. The date Object
27. Connecting to Network Servers
28. GUI Scripting
29. Scripting the Shell
30. Advanced Topics