Rating: 
Summary: A lot of shortcomings
Review: This is the first O'Reilly-book I'm a bit of disappointed with."Java Enterprise in a Nutshell" simply ignores a lot of APIs/packages of the J2EE, like javax.servlet.jsp, javax.naming.event, javax.naming.ldap or the whole javax.mail-API, some of which surely have a great practical relevance. On the other hand it has a quick reference of SQL, something that does not really belong here. It wouldn't have disturbed me, if all relevant APIs had been covered, but they hadn't. All covered APIs on the other hand are as good dealt with as always. Because of the given shortcomings: just 3 stars.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of shortcomings
Review: This is the first O'Reilly-book I'm a bit of disappointed with. "Java Enterprise in a Nutshell" simply ignores a lot of APIs/packages of the J2EE, like javax.servlet.jsp, javax.naming.event, javax.naming.ldap or the whole javax.mail-API, some of which surely have a great practical relevance. On the other hand it has a quick reference of SQL, something that does not really belong here. It wouldn't have disturbed me, if all relevant APIs had been covered, but they hadn't. All covered APIs on the other hand are as good dealt with as always. Because of the given shortcomings: just 3 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Another good one
Review: This is the second in the series that I have bought, and I use both of them daily. They are great as a primer, and as a reference.
Rating:
Summary: no longer fits in a nutshell
Review: This most recent 'in a nutshell' offering from O'Reilly hardly seems like it'll fit into a nutshell, at least not any nutshell I've ever seen. Despite the increase in size (almost double the size of the 1st edition), this book still manages to deliver a concise introduction to Enterprise Java. Part of the increase is the addition of chapters on JSP, XML, JMS, and Java Mail. Many of the chapters carried over from the 1st edition have been updated to the most recent specifications; JDBC 2.0, Servlets 2.2 and 2.3, and JSP 1.2. The entire book is an excellent reference to Enterprise Java, I would not advise it as the only book you have on the subject because it is very concise and an alternative source with different explanations would be very helpful (you can say that about almost any programming book though, so that is hardly a failing). The condensed API at the end of the book is very helpful and its expanded explanations of the different APIs makes it easier to understand them, as opposed to going straight from the Java Docs. Packed with both snippets and full length, compilable code, the examples are very helpful and help to illustrate all of the key concepts of Enterprise Java and go along way to improving the readers understanding. Even if you already have the first edition the additional, and updated, content made this second edition a valuable edition to my reference collection. However, if you've already got the first edition and have additional references for some of the added material (JSP, XML, JMS, and Java Mail) then you probably don't need this book, unless you want it all together in one place.
Rating:
Summary: no longer fits in a nutshell
Review: This most recent `in a nutshell' offering from O'Reilly hardly seems like it'll fit into a nutshell, at least not any nutshell I've ever seen. Despite the increase in size (almost double the size of the 1st edition), this book still manages to deliver a concise introduction to Enterprise Java. Part of the increase is the addition of chapters on JSP, XML, JMS, and Java Mail. Many of the chapters carried over from the 1st edition have been updated to the most recent specifications; JDBC 2.0, Servlets 2.2 and 2.3, and JSP 1.2. The entire book is an excellent reference to Enterprise Java, I would not advise it as the only book you have on the subject because it is very concise and an alternative source with different explanations would be very helpful (you can say that about almost any programming book though, so that is hardly a failing). The condensed API at the end of the book is very helpful and its expanded explanations of the different APIs makes it easier to understand them, as opposed to going straight from the Java Docs. Packed with both snippets and full length, compilable code, the examples are very helpful and help to illustrate all of the key concepts of Enterprise Java and go along way to improving the readers understanding. Even if you already have the first edition the additional, and updated, content made this second edition a valuable edition to my reference collection. However, if you've already got the first edition and have additional references for some of the added material (JSP, XML, JMS, and Java Mail) then you probably don't need this book, unless you want it all together in one place.
Rating:
Summary: Useful as both an introductory overview and reference
Review: While the latter 2/3 of the book make a fine reference, the first 1/3 provides an excellent overview of the technologies that make up Jave Enterprise. A good place to start to sort out JDBC, Java IDL, RPC, Servlets, JNDI, and the rest. The quick-moving world of Java, however, may quickly date this (e.g., no real coverage of JMS in this edition). Valuable for anyone just trying to get a sense of what J2EE is, and what one might do with it.
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