Rating: 
Summary: Too much information...becoming very sleepy...
Review: The philosophy of the book is to give you what you need to pass the exam, as well as a Whole Lot More about becoming a Java programmer. Which is fine if that's what you're looking for, but when I want a study guide for a particular exam, that's what I expect. Not an avalanche of additional information that distracts me from what I absolutely need to know--how to pass the test. Anyone who thinks the test is easy enough so that you can fill your head with other stuff that isn't on it, at the same time, is either mentally ill or about to produce and market safe affordable cold-fusion washing machines. Now, I did pass with an OK score, and I did find the information accurate. Fine. But holy cow, I hope the next edition is cut down. It's also one of the most serious, dry books I've ever read. Not that I need dancing bears to explain to me about polymorphism (though I guess I wouldn't object to it if they could do it well), but I felt like I was back at university, trying desperately to stay awake through my macroeconomics or organic chemistry texts. So, an OK book but I really wish there were something else I could have used that was accurate and clear and everything else you need, but that would also have kept me awake.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Java Programming Book
Review: I've just passed with Java Certification Programmer Book 1.4 with good result. Thanks to Khalid and Rolf for writing a great book. It's well structured, very details and has great examples. I only had to read this book, read the Assertion documenation from JDK 1.4 Documentation and went for the exam. It's a double edged sword that allows you to pass the exam with a good result and sharpen ur Java programming knowledge to its extreme.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, to the point and very well organized
Review: This is one of the good books I've read on Java.
From the exam's point of view, I think this book is very well organized and its enough to clear the certification exam - in fact, I came to know lots of relatively less known concepts that one does not come across during the course of regular software development..
However in order to score high on the exam, you have to take as many practice tests as you can...
For my preparation, I also referred to Bruce Eckel's Thinking in Java(for reference) and Phillip Heller's - The Complete Reference to Java Certification.
In retrospect however,I feel that just this book would've been enough.
Some folks have mentioned that the author's writing style is dry and factual and lacks in humour. I however don't agree with that. The author's writing style is quite lucid and his examples are very well devised.Infact try reading the chapter on Inner Classes and compare it with any other book and you'll see what I mean. Infact try comparing it with the Phillip Heller book and you'll see the difference as to which book's style is more dry and boring.
All in all..this is a great book and it metes the exam requirements very well. Don't forget to take many practice tests though! :-)
Rating:
Summary: Best Java Certification book in the market.
Review: This is the best book available in the market to prepare for java certification. You do not need any other book as a supplement to come off with flying colors.
Besides explaining the basics, this book also dives into the trickier parts of the subject using excellent examples and explanations. I have been trying to take up this test since years but have been put off by other books available in the market. This is the only book which is not only comprehensive but also uses simple language to keep one's interest alive. Prior to this book being published, the norm was to go through the exhaustive(read boring) Heller's book followed by Bill Brogden's Exam cram for trickier topics to come off with flying colors. This book is a welcome substitute for both; is complete in itself and deals with all kinds of concepts/tricks and explains them in a simple way.
On top of that, this book is good enough to learn java even if one is not planning the certification.
A must buy.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book to learn and get certififed for Java!
Review: I just passed the exam; thanks to Mr Mughal and Mr Rasmussen, for their excellent book. As many has pointed out, this is a very tough book, I study it from cover to cover 6 times, no kidding. The book is concise and clear in explaining the concepts and pointing out common pitfalls. Must run and modify the examples, you will gain a lot by playing with them. The exercises at the back of each section are tough, but once you understand the answers and explanations, you learned. I supplemented the book with some online exam engines eg. JXAM, they are of great help too.
Rating:
Summary: Only book one needs for certification exams
Review: This is the only book one needs for Java Certification exam. I used it to prepare for SCJP 1.4. Though its written for 1.2, one can very well use it to prepare for 1.4 exam. Assertions is the only topic not covered in this book from 1.4 exam perspective. But that topic has been recently added to the exam. You can find tutorials on assertion at Sun's site, which is more than sufficient reading from 1.4 exam point of view. This book is NOT for beginners. Also do not buy this book if you don't have Object Oriented programming experience/prior knowledge. Its not intended to teach you OO programming. Title makes it clear by including "Programmers Guide". OO programmers can use this book to learn Java Fundamentals or to prepare for the exam. This is one of the best technical books I have ever read. I highly recommend it. Very well written. Concise and clear. Most concept are followed by concise but complete examples.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book even if you're not getting certified
Review: This book does an excellent job preparing you for the SCJP exam. The questions you'll find in the practice exam are harder than anything you'll find on the web and do a great job simulating the exam questions. Even if you're not interested in certification, the book covers everything you'd have a question about. It's an excellent resource period and should be a staple in your reference library.
Rating:
Summary: This is an excellent all around introduction to Java
Review: This book is excellent. It is both well written and organized and very thorough. It can be used as a first introduction to Java or as a study guide for the certification exam. The review questions are plentifull and well thought out. I have read through several certification books and this is the best by far. My only "complaint" is that the author presents far more material then the exam objectvies call for. He does not always do a good job of separating what you need to pass the exam and what information is usefull, but not necessary for the test. This is a small criticism however.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book - not just to get certified
Review: I bought this book because of its high quality and no-nonsense approach. I wish all programming books were this good, teaching you why things happen while being brief, complete and to the point. If you have any java related question this book has the answer. The funny thing is that I did not intend to get certified yet a couple of months later a felt so confident with the quality of knowledge that I gained that I signed up for an exam anyway. Can't hurt to have a certificate right? ... I passed with 81%. In my opinion if you want to learn Java this is the book. On the other hand to put things in perspective, this book is also very demanding. If you like books that hold your hand all the way and lie to you just to make you feel special, well then you might not like it. The questions and problems at the end of the chapters are pretty tough and will make you quickly aware of how much you still don't know yet. You'll be constantly reminded that what you "think" you know is not as much as you actually know. It is a mean book, it is a tough book, but it is a honest and fabulous book and if you are serious about learning java it will pay off big time. cheers
Rating:
Summary: The best book for java certification
Review: This is the best book for Java Certification Exam (but pretty difficult for beginners). It covers the most of exam topics. Review questions and practical exam correspond to real exam questions. I also took a lot of mock exams on(line). The best is Jxam. Good luck on the test!
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