Rating: 
Summary: Detailed but full of errors
Review: I don't expect computer books to be error free. Only Bruce Eckle seems to extract programs from his books and compile and test them automatically. He sets a new standard that we should come to expect. But, even given the difficulty of being right all the time on picky items like program code, a certification book with errors in its practice exams is a questionable buy. The temporary solution is an errata web site. I had a hard time finding the list of errata that Syngress provides [...] and looks pretty thorough. I have just finished Chapter 1 and I found 3 substantial errors. They have 2 of my 3 errors plus another 3 for Chapter 1. The trick is to email them the errors that we find, in order to help one another out. I like the style of the book, detailed with lots of questions. But I can't say how well the type of questions matches those on the exam until after I take the exam.
Rating: 
Summary: I wasted my time on this book.
Review: I bought 3 books before I took the exam. This is the first one. There are too many errors in the book. If you already bought it, you need to download the corrections from its publisher's webpage. After I read the other two books: Complete Java2 Certification Study Guide and Exam Cram, (another book is highly recommended here: A Programmer's Guide to Java Certification) I realized I had wasted my time on the book being reviewed. I could have passed the exam earlier. Besides, there is no mock exam in the book. However, some parts are well-written, for example: inner class, java.util (Collection interface).
Rating: 
Summary: Not the best Java cert book
Review: If you plan on only buying one book, this should not be at the top of your list. The book does a poor job of covering the AWT stuff and doesn't even mention I/O. The book was written by committee and shows it. It does do a good job of opening your eyes to the level of detail that must be mastered in order to become certified. However, there are better books out there (Roberts et al, then Boone et al) and your preparation dollar would be better spent on one of those.
Rating: 
Summary: Good choice
Review: This was a good choice for preparing for the exam. I read it fully. Very extensive, covering all exam topics. Although, if you plan to take the designer exam as well, you might find some other books that will prepare you for both the programmer and designer exams.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely Not For Certification
Review: The number of errors is great enough to make one doubt about the integrity of the book. How could the errors go unnoticed? It is a pity that such books get off the press and claim to be helping people to pass certification exams. Anyone who is sharp enough would spot the numerous errors. I seriously doubt anyone who says the book is useful really knows what Java is about. The book confuses with its numerous errors rather than teaches. If you want to prepare for the certification exam, get a better book. Consider the one from Sybex, "The Complete Java 2 Certification Study Guide" or another book, "A Programmer's Guide to Java Certification". These are better organised and worth your dollars and cents.
Rating:
Summary: Accomplishes What It's Meant To
Review: Before I bought this book I read all the reviews with interest. I ended up buying it, and am glad I did. As some have pointed out, there are some errors in the book, but it didn't seem pervasive to me. I also found corrections on the Publishers web site. The book is on target with the necessary info. you need to pass the exam- the information on Anonymous Inner Classes was especially helpful. All in all, I'm glad I used this book as my primary study tool (that with experience!)
Rating:
Summary: cute, fluffy, worthless
Review: The cover is beautiful. The examples are cute, including "Madame Cthulu's Tarot Cards". The inside of the cover had some great Java tips. However, as a certification guide, it is completely unacceptable. Their self-tests are peppered with incorrect answers and I was unable to find any means to get official errata for the book. I strongly suspect that whoever put the thing together knew it was a hack job and that it is designed to sell well only, not to help anyone pass a certification. There is simply no ethical justification for not publishing errata. It is overpriced and you don't even get what you pay for.
Rating: 
Summary: Good But Not Great
Review: I used this book as my primary preparation method for Sun's 310-025 exam. My biggest complaint is that it did not cover all of the material on the exam. The topics covered by the book were described in great detail and very helpful. The topics that weren't covered were, well, not covered. I should say, however, that with a bit of prior Java experience and this book I did pass the exam.
Rating:
Summary: mixed feeling, still worth buying
Review: I have to agree with the reviews either giving 1 star or 5 stars. Very well designed but too much errors. No serious proof-read at all. The writing seems quite obviously by several different people. The author of one chapter dosen't know what other authors say in other chapters or what others conclude is wrong. The leaving out of I/O is mainly Sun's fault - it is not in the exam objectives published on the web until recently. The structure and its focusing on the exam is still great and efficient. I bought it because it is the latest Java certification book and endured the errors for three weeks - then passed the exam with high score. As one of the previous review said, if you want to use only one book to pass the exam, this is it. What a pity there are those big programs in such a good book.
Rating:
Summary: Not a thorough job
Review: Contains many misleading examples and supporting explannations too! I do not care how other examples are -- there can not simply be misleading examples! This book may be read by unsuspecting beginners. One misleading example is in page 112, class Equals(Topic java.lang.Object). The program output is timing sensitive and thus not predictable. Answers to chapter 2, example 14, 18 are wrong. The list goes on. I am dissatisfied and I would not recommend this book to anyone.
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