I'm about 180 pages into this book, and if the next 800 pages are anything like the first 180, this is not the way to start using JSP. I also have the Ivor Horton Beginning Java book (also by Wrox), and it is a far better tutorial. After going through 5 chapters in both books, the Ivor Horton one actually taught me something whereas this book stammers on about how great JSTL and EL are without giving any good explanations of anything. The examples in this book are childishly simple AND not very well explained, which to me is the worst of both worlds. If you're brand-new to server-side programming, you'll wonder why after 5 chapters you still can't do anything. If you're familiar with other server-side languages, you'll wonder why they included the first 200 pages.

If you want to learn Java, go with the Ivor Horton book. If you really want to learn JSP, I'd look elsewhere.

I may update this review after going through more chapters - maybe it's just the intro that's poorly done.

Beginning JavaServer Pages is an extremely practical guidebook especially recommended for server-side Java Developers, uses explicit instruction, examples, and sample codes to instruct the reader in JSP application basics, development, and applying JSP in J2EE and JSP component development. A technical user's manual that goes into express detail, offering explicit syntax and step-by-step discussion of technical applications.