Rating: 
Summary: Practical guide to objects
Review: This book is good on objects, even if you don't want to program in Java. It's also good for beginners as well as those who think they know a lot!
Rating: 
Summary: Still Relevant, Excellent OOP Book
Review: First let me say despite being published a few years ago this book is still fully relevant as of this review. The author takes a conceptual approach that this much needed for those learning an OOP language for the first time. I'm a PHP programming trying to learn Java. I purchased Ivor Horton's Begining Java 2 book and a few hundred pages in I learned a lot but still lacked the fundamentals of OOP. Jacquie's book has come to the rescue to fill in the underpinnings of objects and how to think about them when tackling software development. When I finish reading her book I'll go back to Ivor's book and continue learning syntax and other important aspects of the Java language. If you're new to OOP definately get this book no matter what language your're trying to learn. Get this in addition to a standard how program in language X book and you'll be doing yourself a favor! Note: I bought the old red Wrox press book and got a great deal, I here the new version is the exact same book with a new cover and no updated material.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK!
Review: If I had had this book when I took my first java course, things would have been way easier. This book is not going to teach you all the details of java programming, it is however, the best introduction to OO programming that I have encountered. Unlike a lots of books out there, the author assumes you know absolutely nothing about OO programming. That is what separates this from a lot of others out there.
Rating:
Summary: Great for non-Java progammers, too!
Review: In reading Barker's title, one gets an extraordinarily good education into the major considerations for object-oriented design. Although the book's title would imply that Java developers would benefit most, this is a great introductory manual to OOP and Java 2, and perfectly suited for other platforms, as well.It's actually a very helpful, very educational, very entertaining look at object-oriented software design, at modeling, and at proper management of the process in which they are used to create great software applications. Barker does a fantastic job of describing the process and life-cycle involved with designing and coding a system, and centers the concepts presented around an iterative practical application, a student registration system for college. She also bases her method of teaching concepts-first-and-then-code around pseudocode, so the reader isn't inundated by too much syntax while trying to grasp fundamental subjects. Barker also steps the reader through the procedural methods of designing an application, such as creating a vision document and glossary of system-specific terms. In doing so, Barker also uses one of the friendliest voices in her writing that's truly a rarity in technical books these days. Being an ASP.NET developer working almost exclusively in C#, I got a lot out of it. The Java syntax might be a stretch for VB devs; the book also makes for great recommended reading for those just starting to get into OOP or Java. I'd also recommend this book for Microsoft developers migrating up from Windows DNA and ASP 3.0 technologies, as it really does a good job of walking you through OOP/OOD, which in my opinion has proven to be THE major hurdle for many devs in embracing .NET. The only downside I can see about this book is that because of the title, developers non-Java other platforms and disciplines will unfairly look past it, and therefore miss out on the important lessons contained within its pages. The book's key strength lies in the chapters on designing use case scenarios and UML diagrams, which I really enjoyed. It's these unexpected advantages that have put this book in a prominent place in my home library that keep it easily within reach.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Book For Non-Programmers
Review: I guess I already learned what this book has to offer by chapters 5 & 6 in CJ2, using the API docs, and looking at the Java Source Code for the API. This book is too basic for _PROGRAMMERS_ (who grasp things quickly) and they will be bored. I guess I feel that if you need this book, you probably shouldn't have chosen programming as a career. A programmer needs to be resourceful and be able to figure out complex puzzles in a reasonable amount of time. This book walks you through "tediously" step by step in agonizing detail the four or five main object oriented principles. That being said, for you non-programmers, this book is great and probably just what you need (hence the 3 stars). If encapsulation, polymorphism, and inheritance are buzzwords that you don't really fully get and can't explain in detail what each is, yet regularly use in conversation, this book could help as well. Different Strokes for Different Folks.
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Summary: Made Java and OO "click" for this procedural programmer
Review: I've bought maybe 10 Java books and read almost all of Sun's docs and still didn't "get" object oriented programming as implemented in Java until I read "Beginning Java Objects". (And I've been a programmer since the days of the Commodore 64 - wrote my first side scroller game for the XT) Anyone who is new to OO programming or Java should read this book cover to cover BEFORE (or while) embarking on a Java programming course. I've found that learning some languages like C, C++ and Java (as opposed to Basic) require a certain threshhold of knowledge before the "aha" moment comes and everything starts making sense. This book distills that pool of knowledge down so that moment comes faster. You should get that overall understanding of OO and Java by the end of reading it. The book is written in a easy to understand way that EXPLAINS any necessary jargon and acronyms so you UNDERSTAND them (rather than just throwing more pocket-protecter-induced obscure jargon at you like the Sun docs and many reference books) Anyway - THANK YOU, Jacquie! You've saved me from more frustrated days (er weeks, no months) at the computer. Karen at Redwood Games
Rating:
Summary: what a great book!
Review: Perhaps better then Prata's seminol work in C++ instruction. Clear, easy to understand. With a sensible project model used to explain newly introduced coding concepts. Past conventions and usages constantly reintroduced in a manner which improves learning. Does everything right that Schildt does wrong. Hope to see more books soon by this author!
Rating:
Summary: Has to be the best..
Review: This is one of the best Java books I've come across. I found this to be one of the most complete and easy to understand explainations of java objects yet. I learned a lot about the language as well through the introductions in the book. I would highly recommend this to anyone getting started with Java. In fact, this should be the first book you own before purchasing a core language reference.
Rating:
Summary: I was blind and now I can see
Review: New to Object Oriented Programming? New to Java? Read a beginners Java book but confused? Can't quite grasp OOP or Java? Then buy this book NOW! This book is absolute essential reading for ALL Java newbies. Do not purchase a beginning Java book without buying this book as well. It is the PERFECT compliment to any beginner Java book. The author takes you by the hand and babysteps you though the basic and advanced skills of object oriented design. I read Ivor Horton's "Beginning Java 2" and was quite confused, then I read "Beginning Java Objects" and ALL my confusions disappeared. As someone in the bible said, "I was blind and now I can see." Do your self a favor and pick-up this book right away!!
Rating:
Summary: Very Thorough, Insightful, and Complete
Review: I'm really enjoying this book. I have read other books on Java, but I find this to be the most useful for a beginner to the Java language and OOP. It puts java in a broader context, and also covers UML and other necessary concepts to software development. Highly Recommended.
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