If you want to learn software design and you are choosing the C++ language then Safe C++ Design Principles by Thomas J. Hruska, III is probably the best choice. It’s a high quality software design book.

I am member of c-prog yahoo group where Thomas is owner. I have been reading on each and every post, here and there, on his blog. I got chance to read it when he made book free for the group users. The book didn’t surprised me at all; You always expect some high quality work from him. Thanks Thomas for the book.

The book can be downloaded from here.
He can be readied on his blog from here.
You can buy his masterpiece software products form here.