Rating: 
Summary: I think it's a great book
Review: Let me begin by saying that I'm the author, so let's get that out of the way. I'm posting here to point out that the book has a tremendous amount of support materials that have never been advertised. Each of my books has a support page containing a current list of errata, downloadable files (completed exercises from the book), extra links to extra materials I have written and my email address in the event you have problems. I also run a series of online classes so that if you would like to learn with me in a more structured setting, you can do that also. You can access those materials via this link http://www.johnsmiley.com/books.htm I should also say that this book isn't for everyone---and you can read through some of the other reviews posted here to see why and why not. I wrote this book for beginner level programmers, and the book is written in a unique style. You (and I) can thank the now defunct Wrox Publishing house for the style of the book that some people absolutely love and others (primarily hotshot programmers with lots of experience) hate. The book is written as if you are participating in an actual classroom---many people, particularly those learning on their own or in an Independent study setting find comforting. My thanks to the many people who have written to me to tell me how much they've enjoyed my books and how they have helped them achieve their goals of learning to program. John Smiley
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Summary: Ought to be THE introductory Java textbook!!
Review: Mr Smiley had done what I have only seen done by very good teachers in person. He has made a complex subject seem simple. The classroom format of the text answers almost every question that a new programmer might have. I also favor the single project approach that he has taken. I am amazed at how easy he made inheritance, interfaces, method overloading, and method over-riding seem. He also gave a wonderful introduction to Swing. Rather than getting into the super complex layout managers, he introduces the simple ones. He then shows how to use absolute positioning after detailing the drawbacks. The only thing that frustrates me is the referance to intermediate and advanced Java courses. I looked, and it seems that they have not yet been published...
Rating: 
Summary: NOT FOR EXPERIENCED PROGRAMMERS
Review: Ok, I am an experienced VB programmer with several years of programming experience. Therefor the title "Learn to Program" should have been a sign to RUN. I don't think I can finish this book, it is toooooo slow. What was the author thinking by combining "fictional" narration with a computer book? What was I thinking buying this book? This book takes you through a semester of his Java 101 class. Complete with "Dave Raised his hand and had a question." You got to be kidding!!. I don't want to know about this authur's classroom experience, I want to learn about JAVA. The end result of this fictional narration is that a 600 page book has about 150 pages of content. And that content is weak. Honestly an experienced programmer doesn't need to spend an entire chapter on Data Types. (int, String, char, double) 1 line should explain these. Not two pages of Rhonda getting confused. I gave it 2 stars because I earned a -1 for buying it in the first place and my wife can probably use it when I am done. Though when she is done, she won't be able to get a job with the limited info she would have gained. That would take another book.
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Summary: My Java Journey
Review: Prior to purchasing the Book I only knew Java to be a cup of coffee. It started off slowly and proceeded to a level that I quickly became comfortable with. The project that is part of the training gave me practical hands on work that really made the difference. I really got involved in the class room setting; I felt that I was one of the students. The questions made the learning very interesting because some of the questions were ones that I would have asked. I am greatful for the book because it taught me the basics that enabled me to proceed further with my studies. I am in the process of a career change and soon I hope to be a good programer. I highly recommend this book to anyone studying on their own who would like to be in a class room setting and have a very interesting and fun project to work on.
Rating:
Summary: My Java Journey
Review: Prior to purchasing the Book I only knew Java to be a cup of coffee. It started off slowly and proceeded to a level that I quickly became comfortable with. The project that is part of the training gave me practical hands on work that really made the difference. I really got involved in the class room setting; I felt that I was one of the students. The questions made the learning very interesting because some of the questions were ones that I would have asked. I am greatful for the book because it taught me the basics that enabled me to proceed further with my studies. I am in the process of a career change and soon I hope to be a good programer. I highly recommend this book to anyone studying on their own who would like to be in a class room setting and have a very interesting and fun project to work on.
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Summary: Learn Java the easy way
Review: Read the entire book in five days. I am an experienced programmer and have been using other books to complete my Java skills (taking the certification exam shortly). And all I can really tell you is that Professor Smiley should continue to publishing because he really knows how to teach. Many authors, for example Ivor Horton, know the language they are trying to teach but loose something in the attempt. John Smiley, on the other hand, knows how to teach the topic so that anyone with any motivation can learn the subject matter. You will not find a better text to teach you programming and the Java language. I personally have read Beginning Java 2 by Horton and the Core Java and neither book makes the subject matter as accessible as Learn to Program with Java. I hope the Professor Smily considers writing an advanced Text for Java. Of course somewhere along the line someone will tell you that the book is not in depth enough. Although, they are correct in saying that it is not the definitive guide to Java programming it's not meant to be. You will learn how to program using this book and you will learn enough of the core language that will lead you to more advanced topics. Lets just hope that John Smiley considers writing an advanced book.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible
Review: There are many things I dislike about this book and only one thing I like about it. First my dislikes:
1. The format is awful. It takes you through his entire semester of teaching his java class, complete with student questions (e.g. Sally asked, "do we need to be DOS experts?". No, I answered and a look of relief washed over her face. 2. According to Osborne, learning how to program in Java is not enough, you need to understand how big business factors into this. I don't think so. 3. He left out simple things like setting the class path. I wonder what else was omitted. 4. He states that most books have you start off by coding a simple "Hello World" program. It's his opinion that this is a waste of time and not real-world enough. Instead his first programming exercise has you code an "I love java" program. Is he insane? BTW-I think the best way is to start with the basics like hello world and work you way up. What I did like:
He chose not to put his face on the cover like so many other authors of software books. What is with these people?
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Summary: The One Best Book to buy if you have no experience
Review: This book is PERFECT for a beginner. He does an AWESOME job of teachingn Java to the beginner with NO programming experience. I looked at reviews and browsed through many, many books and this one is the BEST. It actually teaches you instead of just telling you all of the elements and how to put them together. If you are new and want to learn Java, GET THIS BOOK! And, it is current Java with a publishing date of 2002. It is the best and the newest! Like people always say, "If you get one book, get Learn to Program with Java by John Smiley!"
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Summary: This book ROCKS!!!
Review: This book taught me a LOT on Java. I thought that my college calss would cover most stuff, but this book really taught me sooooooo much. The only thing that is slightly annoying is his addiction to one grade calculating program. BUY THIS BOOK!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent introductory text for learning Java
Review: This is an excellent book for anyone with limited programming experience who wants a gentle introduction to the world of Java - as the title of the book suggests, you are literally learning to program using Java as the teaching tool. So those reviewers complaining that the book is too basic are perhaps missing the point. That aside, the book is right on the money for the audience it is targeted for - those people who lack programming experience. With plenty of detailed explanations, many of the 'dumb' questions answered that other more advanced books skim over, and the use of one large program that is worked on throughout the book, I would recommend Learn to Program with Java whole-heartedly to anyone at novice level struggling to come to grips with Java. The author's 'classroom novel' style of writing appeals to some and not to others (by the end of the book, I could have cheerfully strangled some of the students mentioned), but it is an effective technique regardless. There were a couple of minor mistakes in the book that I received, but they should be fixed by now (and when I emailed Professor Smiley pointing them out, he not only replied the next day but was most courteous in thanking me for the feedback - two thumbs up in customer relations for the Prof!) All in all, this book achieves what it sets out to do - help beginning programmers learn the basics of the Java language with confidence. After completing this book, you should then have the background to feel comfortable with the more advanced topics presented in other Java books.
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