Rating: 
Summary: no pain, no gain
Review: After reading some of the other reviews of this book, I was quite daunted at the prospect of venturing past chapter 6. Yes, it does get more complicated, but I think it has to. Chapters 1 - 6 are a great introduction to understanding the grammar of the Java language but the author purposely keeps it simple by not developing the Object Oriented concept until the reader has got settled in. He does everything in an old fashioned procedural manner inside the Main method so that the reader learns some basic ideas such as do loops and if statements. If like me you have previous knowledge of a procedural language, chapters 1-6 will definitely seem a breeze compared to the following chapters.
I do agree though that the book could explain some things better. I didn't think the explanation of the importance of accessor methods was very precise, for example. It wasn't until I'd read on in the book that I really understood how they could be used. I found the introduction of getters and setters into all the example programs unnecessary, just serving to confuse the reader and obscure the concepts being demonstrated.
I too had to re-read bits over and over to understand them but I don't consider this a criticism of the book. From my previous aborted efforts to learn Java I already knew what a difficult language it is for a complete newbie to pick up. Having read this book (in two weeks) I now know enough to get me trying out my own code and reading some more advanced books.As a read, it's quite entertaining. There are jokes along the way and the author is chatty rather than overly dry and technical. I'll definitely take a look at the other Barry Bund Java book in the Dummies series.
Rating:
Summary: no pain, no gain
Review: After reading some of the other reviews of this book, I was quite daunted at the prospect of venturing past chapter 6. Yes, it does get more complicated, but I think it has to. Chapters 1 - 6 are a great introduction to understanding the grammar of the Java language but the author purposely keeps it simple by not developing the Object Oriented concept until the reader has got settled in. He does everything in an old fashioned procedural manner inside the Main method so that the reader learns some basic ideas such as do loops and if statements. If like me you have previous knowledge of a procedural language, chapters 1-6 will definitely seem a breeze compared to the following chapters.
I do agree though that the book could explain some things better. I didn't think the explanation of the importance of accessor methods was very precise, for example. It wasn't until I'd read on in the book that I really understood how they could be used. I found the introduction of getters and setters into all the example programs unnecessary, just serving to confuse the reader and obscure the concepts being demonstrated.
I too had to re-read bits over and over to understand them but I don't consider this a criticism of the book. From my previous aborted efforts to learn Java I already knew what a difficult language it is for a complete newbie to pick up. Having read this book (in two weeks) I now know enough to get me trying out my own code and reading some more advanced books. As a read, it's quite entertaining. There are jokes along the way and the author is chatty rather than overly dry and technical. I'll definitely take a look at the other Barry Bund Java book in the Dummies series.
Rating: 
Summary: Turning bites into bytes
Review: As a former dentist that is taking his first stab at programming I really needed a book that assumes the reader is a total dolt. Okay, maybe dolt is a little too strong - how about extreme novice. Barry Burd's "Java 2 for Dummies" fit the bill exactly. While other authors revel in high-handed semantics Dr. Burd's style and easy manner make for an enjoyable and beneficial learning experience I can recommend this book without hesitation.
Rating: 
Summary: A crooked road thru Java
Review: Being new to Java, (but not development) I've read this about 2/3 of the way thru from the cover and only found it somewhat informative. The author tends to get off the track of a basic Java discussion into a "what not to do" discussion. Personally, I learn best by doing and learning from my own mistakes rather than by trying not to follow someone elses mistakes. This book also does not provide a tutorial to create an simple application. There is probably a better beginning Java book out there...
Rating: 
Summary: Nope... that's not it.....
Review: Didn't work for me. The examples were ok but explaining the theory was not clear enough for me... unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any better book out there.... many on the same level as this but nothing that explains it simplistically.
Rating:
Summary: Best Java 2 Book
Review: Easy language, Comprehensive, and interesting style.
I have a job interview and read the book and now I can claim I know everything about Java !!
Rating:
Summary: Step-by-Step and Easy to Follow
Review: For a few years now, I have wanted to learn how to program in JAVA. I bought books on JAVA but always hit road blocks along the way (because the author assumed I already knew something) that unmotivated me. In Java 2 for Dummies, Barry Burd has written a step-by-step book that could teach a near computer illiterate how to program in JAVA. He even includes directions to setting up the computer for convenience while programming. Explanations make the reader feel as though s/he is in a conversation with the author himself. I did not imagine that learning a programming language could be so easy.
Rating:
Summary: I havent read this yet but take my advice.
Review: I am just about to buy this book, and the reason for it is becuase I recentley purchased and read barry's other book beginning java programming for dummies, this book was very easy to read, very informative and entertaining all in one. So I am assuming that since this book is on the same topic and the same author, it should be a very good book. I also recommend reading the beginning book before java 2, becuase beginning programming really gets you into java programming.
Rating:
Summary: Great Starting Point!
Review: I knew practically nothing about Java and was relunctant to learn it. After reading a few pages at the bookstore I knew the book was worth buying. He delivers a complete picture in a very entertaining way. If you want to get the picture of Java, Buy this book!!
Rating:
Summary: How disappointing to have to look at this in book store
Review: I wish I could get some actual information from the reviewers here. Do you notice the four five-stars reviews that have been planted here - all vague testimonials with a friendly chatty approach saying how this book "saved their behinds" or some such? Well, "We are not amused." That's the usual style of reviews that have been ~creatively composed by (a friend of author? publisher?). It's nice that a "former dentist" finds the author's "style and easy manner make for an enjoyable and beneficial learning experience"... but what SORT of style is it that's so awesome? As I am saying in my comments on "Java 2 Databases for Dummies" (if Amz censors allow it to be printed) these kind of reviews make it necessary to go to the book shop and see for myself.
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