In case you're doubting how much of a beginner's book this is, consider that the first chapter of this book is all about telling you what a computer is. If you have any experience writing any sort of script or program you will not want this book. If, like for me, it's required for a course, keep an eye on the bookstore's textbook buyback schedule.

Even once you have learned what's taught in this book, you will probably find it frustrating if you try to use it as a reference for Java syntax. Information about the language is dribbled out in bits and pieces with no clear way to find what you're looking for. Well, yes, there's a table of contents and an index, but you'll do better selling this book back and picking up Java In A Nutshell, 5th Edition once you have some familiarity with Java.

For the price I wouldn't buy this book unless it was a textbook for a class or if you can find one used. That said, it is a great book for someone with a few Java basics under their belt. You could use it as your first Java book if you are a quick computer learner and can remain focused as the chapters are rather long and meaty. Each ends with a GUI section which could almost be a chapter on its own. The code runs well and is available for download. There are very few mistakes and/or jumping assumptions in Java learning although the complexity makes having an instructor to ask questions helpful. Basically it is a textbook for just after intro object programming college class and it does that very well.

Another great hit by Codemate. Best programming book for new programmers/students. Really goes step by step and gives adaquete information for newbies.

Lewis & Loftus give the reader an excellent introduction to object oriented programming in Java. The very clear explanations as well as simple examples do an excellent job demonstrating many concepts to the reader. I recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn Java for the first time.

There is an updated printing of this book that uses ISBN 0-321-32202-7. The updated printing (which corrects small but important changes from the final version of Java 5) also is called the 4th edition. The publisher added words "Java 5.0 Version" to the title listed in online stores, and added a leaf with the words "Covers Java 5.0" to the bottom right of the cover. Be sure to verify that you get this ISBN, and do not to buy an old printing that you can't return.

This URL to purchase the most up-to-date printing from Amazon is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0321322037/qid=1126549578/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/102-3991796-1688157?v=glance&s=books&n=507846