Rating: 
Summary: I just enjoy this guy's easy to understand writing style!
Review: So many technical authors get caught up in trying to show off their "smarts" that they just end up confusing their readers. You know the kind off books I'm talking about...where even after reading a paragraph over 3 or 4 times you still don't quite get it but you know it's important! How frustrating!Not this guy. He's so laid back and clear that even a novice programmer like myself can grasp any topic he presents...on the first pass! Teaching is not about spouting off it's about transferring useful knowledge. Bruce knows how to transfer knowledge. I highly recommend ANY of Bruce Eckel's books.
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Summary: Want to learn Java? This is the book for you
Review: I found this book to be a stunning reference. It is written using an "easy to understand" approach and for once, I didn't feel like a goose when reading a computer book. I like the way Bruce writes,particularly the "friendliness" inherent in his explanations. I wanted to learn more about Java and chose this book to help me. A wise (or lucky?) decision!! Highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: Getting close to perfection
Review: This book goes way beyond the "tips and tricks" explained in so many other Java books. It explains in exhaustive detail how and why one should use the object oriented features of the language to produce professional-grade code. It explains many finer points of scope resolution, syntax, and class design which I have never seen covered anywhere else. It covers the most important parts of the standard libraries to illustrate good object-oriented design and coding practices. The whole idea is that, once you understand the underlying principles of the language, you'll be capable of using the free Java API documentation without needing everything to be explained to you any further. In my review of the first edition, I complained that the examples weren't always as realistic as I would have liked to have seen, and that the writing was occasionally not as clear as it might have been. I think that the writing has gotten clearer in most places, but the examples still sometimes leave me thinking "That's really fascinating, but when, why, and how would I use this in an actual development project?" Nevertheless, I have learned to love even the code examples for their authoritative demonstrations of object-oriented coding techniques that even most expert Java developers probably don't know, and probably should know. As a programmer, I often get depressed when I see how much really atrocious code is being pumped out. After a ten-hour day of wading through swamps full of incomprehensible spaghetti, it is like a breath of fresh air to open Bruce Eckel's masterpiece and realize that there are others out there who care about the quality of the software being developed today. Do yourself and the programming profession a favor and buy this book, or at least download it. You must then devote yourself diligently to following along with each chapter, typing the examples out and experimenting with them, and then doing the excercises at the end of each chapter. Even if you consider yourself an expert Java programmer I think you'll quickly discover, even in the early chapters of the book, that there is an awful lot that you didn't really understand about Java! It will probably take you more than one time through before you really have it down, and you should allow a good three months of evenings and weekends for each time through. There are no shortcuts to a deep understanding of OOP in Java, I'm afraid. The acid test is that if you can't do all the excercises with aplomb then you don't really know the material. It's a long journey, but it's worth the trip. Good luck! --Erik
Rating: 
Summary: great book.
Review: if you like bruce eckel's style of breaking down information you should really add this to your collection.
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Summary: Downloaded it, then bought it!
Review: With miminal knowledge of C and none of other "PC" programming languages, I found this an excellent way to get started with Java. As an AS/400 specialist, I needed to learn at least the basics in order to work in VisualAge for Java. I have six other Java books, but they all put me to sleep. Not Bruce! I am very impressed with his publication methods. I downloaded the book, printed the entire file, and thought it was so good, I bought it!
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Summary: got JDK? will code...
Review: Normally, I start with a new programming book at the introduction vowing solemnly to barrel straight through to the end...and then falling flat on my face and taking a course on it instead. This book is a page turner and the exercises kept me up until 3 a.m. coding. This comprehensive book has inspired me and has turned me into a lover of this amazing language. and to keep it all real: the worst criticism I could think of... The CD contains a huge tutorial on C++ (among the java stuff)! What the heck?
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Summary: too much basics, not enough J2EE
Review: Overall, it is a good book. However, this book spend too much time on polymorphism and inheritance that are trivial for an intermediate level C++ or Java programmer. J2EE, the newest Java technology, is not covered much (less than 100 pages out of more than 1000 pages). If you are looking for server-side Java programming, this can not be your only book. I hope the author will cover more on J2EE in his 3rd edition.
Rating:
Summary: More than an overview...
Review: Indeed this book is written by a java specialist... yes but that is not enough... he has to be also a teacher, with the desire to make the students able to catch the fundamental idea of the language. This goal is greatly reached. Thanks for this very nice book, the reference for my starting point in my Java life.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: Very nice and stimulative to read. The author has supplied a lot of valuable information, which I could not locate any where else. He has explained and analysed each and every bits of Object-Oriented techniques and how Java can accomplish those ideas. It covers almost all the features of core Java and the author has briefly explained some advanced ideas such as Distributed Computing. Really a wonderful product!
Rating: 
Summary: If you believe all that hype....
Review: This book is the worst written book on any programming language that I have ever read. The examples are totally useless and have no relevance to any real world applications. There are plenty of great Java books out there. Do yourself a favor and avoid this one.
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