Rating: 
Summary: Complete but not easy to follow
Review: The table of contents is fairly complete. It has all parts of Java programming required for an introductory course. But the parts do not have a structured build-up. A lot of example code is present, but it is more often than not, superfluous to the accompanying text. For example adding a Swing component is part of about every single example program in the book! Even in the first chapters, where programming in general is taught, the authors start with Swing examples. This is not very helpfull for the beginning programmer. The book has an average level of coverage, where it tries to cover all elements but does not spend enough space to covering these elements in depth. For example an introduction to all syntactical elements of a Java program, like variables, is missing. The next chapter on control structures is cluttered with code examples containing objects and methods. In other parts the authors write pages of text without a single example, summary or other visual clues about the subject of the section.In summary: this book contains a lot of information about Java programming for the experienced programmer but not for the beginning or intermediate programmer.
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly organized book
Review: Seems the favorite line in the book is, "will be covered in Chapter X" For example, in chapter two, the authors introduce the JOptionPane and then tell the reader that the details will come up in Chapter 13. This is an all to common occurence. There is a liberial use of OOP concepts used well before OOP is even defined in any detail. The authors over use the concept of Applets. I seems clear that the authors are still in mindset of many "old" C/C++ programmers that believe Java was developed just for Applets. The book is verbose without giving any real details. Poorly oranized and confusing. I would not recommend this book for anyone at any level of Java programming.
Rating: 
Summary: Good TEXTBOOK
Review: Good Textbook. They have quite a different approach to teaching Java than other books I have seen. Many Java books jump straight into object-oriented programming. This book doesn't get into OOP until chapter 8 and 9, which I find is helpful. I wish they wouldn't have taken out the JDBC chapters.
Rating: 
Summary: so so
Review: the examples aren't using a good programming style, really2x bad programming style. Not too good for a 1st time java programmer. Better for novice
Rating: 
Summary: Great start, what I'm looking for..
Review: I almost took a junior college course for java but that would have taken quite a few months for a course that I may be able to learn faster than that or may need more time for. We have this book at our office and I bought the new edition and it's a GREAT start. Sure the docs are on Sun's site, but for many a novice, their documentation and general overview is very intimidating. There is so much material to digest you don't get much, trust me, I've been reading the same tutorials for a month! The book is (so far) a great guide as to what you should learn first, I don't expect this to be the only java book I read but I'd definitely recommend it for a first book to read, the material is concise, easy to swallow, and best yet it's not all black and white, making it very easy to stay awake and focused :)
Rating:
Summary: verbose and repetitive junk
Review: The Deitel's definetely do not have a clue about how to program. Otherwise, how can you write a repetitive book about an object oriented language such as java. This book introduces the novice programmer to java syntax, but does not teach the user good programming style. Much of what is in the book is also available free on line in the java tutorial at Sun. And because the code is so repetive and verbose, the writing suffers from this fallacy as well. I don't recommend wasting your money on this book.
Rating:
Summary: the clear and comprehensive textbook
Review: Another great book from the Deitel and deitel great series. weather you are a new in programming or you are a professional programmer ; this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Simply, AMAZING!!!
Review: This book is simply amazing. I had an incredibly difficult time with the "other" book I used to attempt to learn Java for class. This book absolutely walks all over it. It teaches in a style that I easily grasp. The authors went to great lengths to specify the "why" of each new line of code, and give very detailed explanations of the methodology of programming, along with "good practices" for programming. I recommend this to ANYONE with a desire to learn their first programming language, as well as those who are looking to learn more.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for the experts and beginner
Review: I find this book to be very helpful. The Deitel "dynasty" gives excellent examples along with the code. They introduce a concept or command, follow it up with a programming example, and wrap it up by explaining the code in detail. At the end of each chapter they highlight the key points in the chapter, review questions, and many labs (programs you can write using what they introduced). They teach about Object Oriented Programming (OOP) early in the book, wich helps tremendously since Java has a strong OOP foundation. They introduce everything so it's easy to learn. Harder concepts may take the reader a while to understand, so reading over a "confusing" section is what I would encourage. I originally borrowed this book from the school, but am now planning to buy it. It's a great deal for the money you pay.
Rating:
Summary: Avoid Deitel books
Review: You will be able to write Java prgrams, but you will not UNDERSTAND and KNOW object oriented programming language Java. Avoid Deitel's books. They simply do not know Java.
| 
