Rating: 
Summary: TIJ3 - Gets you thinking in Java!!!
Review: I felt obligated to write this review about TIJ3 in the hope that it might help someone else to make an informed decision that's looking for what I thought is an excellent book on a very complex subject (really a masterpiece). The style in which Bruce discusses the content is most relaxing while at the same time being in-depth coverage on complex subject matter. His style reflects his ability to get people through complex subject matter where they might otherwise skim through the subject lightly or even skip over it entirely. TIJ3 is a must read and a must have as part of any reference library. After you get into the book you'll see why the book has received so many awards (TIJ1 and TIJ2 also). Bruce is a master when it comes to teaching and explaining complex subjects and we're very lucky that he has that same ability to put it down on paper.
Rating:
Summary: masterpiece in teaching!
Review: I consider myself quite experienced in Java but from the moment I started this book I couldn't put it down. The reason is such clarity in logic and simplicity in explanation of sometimes very complicated subjects, which by itself is an art. I believe that anybody with just basic knowledge of software development will understand the innerworkings of Java described in this book. It explains not just the semantics of the language but also a philosophy and logic behind certain decisions. I believe that a reader will get not only a guidance about practical aspects of programming in Java (which this book certainly provides) but he will also become a better software designerin general.
I see that Bruce Eckel has two more books related to Java (about patterns and enterprise Java - unfortunately there are only electronic versions) that are available on his web site. I am looking forward to reading them.
Rating:
Summary: The Best technical reference I own
Review: I'm a software engineer and I obviously read and studied various books on diffirent programming languages. My biggest claim to fame is C Programming, but I thought about object orientation for a long time and that's how I came across "Thinking in Java". I Downloaded the book and even printed it and eventually bought a proper copy, because I was convinced it should be on my bookshelf. After reading the firts couple of chapters I have to admit that for the first time I really do understand object orientation through the clear and concise explanation backed up by good examples given on the subject. Any one interested in Java should defenately own this.
Rating:
Summary: A delight, even for the experienced Java programmer
Review: I know Java pretty well. But I enjoy a lot reading Eckel's book because he presents aspects of Java you rarely find in ordinary Java books. Bruce admirably mixes low level concerns with conceptual representations. He has a real talent to explain the "why" of things. This understanding differenciates the expert form the simply proficient. For this reason, as an experienced Java programmer, I do not consider reading Bruce's book a waste of time !
Rating:
Summary: Flawless ...Flawless
Review: I am reading Thinking in Java, have read a couple of more books before on Java but Bruce Eckel has a flawless style of exploring and explaining a programming language, learning becomes more like a glide through the concepts...brick by brick he constructs a beautiful conceptual foundation of the language...everything in the exact right place in the mental sequence where it should be...perfect!! He should write a book on each programming language :-)
If you've been wandering through places to find the best conceptual reference...this one is it.
Rating: 
Summary: Great except...
Review: This book was great. I cannot deny that the author seems intensely intelligent, but able to convey his Java knowledge in an understandable way. His examples, though, are freakishly LONG. This, for me at least, made the learning process somewhat labored. Worth the money, though. The book covers a LOT of ground very well.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for me...
Review: I started out with a printed version of Bruce Eckel's Thinking in Java 3. After some two hundred pages I decided to put the book down. Why?
The biggest problem was the examples. They simple grew longer and longer and contained lots of code that had absolutely nothing to do with what Mr. Eckel attempted to explain. For instance, most examples were provided with code whose only job it was to prove that the program really produced the intended result ("see I was right?"). Not very interesting from an educational point of view.
Another problem: Mr. Eckel is afraid of graphics. His book is full of text, but he hardly uses graphics to visualise a topic, thus making the information harder to memorise.
The title of the book is somewhat misleading. Mr. Eckel is not thinking in Java at all. Mr. Eckel is thinking in C++ and projects his knowledge on Java. The continuous references to C++ are very annoying for anyone not familiar with that language, such as me.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book from an excellent author
Review: "Thinking in Java" covers the fundamental features of Java programming (objects, classes, interfaces, polymorphism, input/output system, threads, applets, Swing) in a clear and extensive way, with the use of simple but very understandable examples and instructive exercises.
If you are looking for a text that really teach you Java, "Thinking in Java" is a forced choice!
Rating:
Summary: Good book but ...
Review: Most parts of this book are quite good but I have some critic.
1- Monitor codes make codes unreadable and sometimes hard to understand. I can not understand why writer insists on including them on everz code while it does not have anz use for reader but confusing him. It would be better if we could see the code and then the output instead.
2- Inner class chapter needs a rewrite. After years of programming, descriptions are sometimes confusing for me. Perhaps codes need some cleanup. Also some UML digrams may help readers understand codes better.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent buy!
Review: This is a concise reference to Java programming language. Everything you find here you can find it in the Internet or Sun's java site, but this saves a lot of time. I have it on my shelf always and keep referring to it every now and then.
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