Rating: 
Summary: Great book despite misleading claim
Review: This is a wonderful book but for some reason it has been given the reputation of being the first book to cover DOM Level 2. That is very misleading. Besides API changes to support namespaces, DOM Level 2 adds many optional modules. This book does not cover those and I feel that they are the most significant difference between level 1 and 2.
Rating: 
Summary: Acronym glossary expanded into a book.
Review: Of all XML books found in bookstores in 2000-08 this was the only one that invited me to explore it beyond the table of contents. It promised some useful technical information. After flipping pages from cover to cover my impression is that XML is a giant alphabet soup designed by committee(s) that I should stay away from, at least until I catch a better glimpse of some reality behind the hype. There are sections that look like examples of code but I was not convinced they are. An author is also among the developers of JDOM, one of the XML Document Object Models mentioned. He apparently has the technical understanding of the subject but the book does not pass that to me. It reads like a long marketing novel. One star, just like on the book cover.
Rating: 
Summary: not as good as people say!
Review: I am not sorry that I bought the book. The author gave you an overview of many techniques(most of them open source) related to the practical use of java and xml in the web environment which is pretty good. However, he did not stay in any topic long enough to make it applicable in real life( eg. cocoon, Jdom ). Perhaps, it is not his fault, we may have to wait another 6 mos or a year before XML becomes mature and popular.
Rating:
Summary: An Ideal XML with Java Primer.
Review: To be useful a programming book need to deliver on three major strengths (and countless minor ones too); theory, examples and ease of reference. 'Java and XML' meets those requirements excellently.Theory: The theory behind XML is explained in a very easy to follow and pleasingly concise manner. Not only is there all you need to know about how XML works there's plenty too on why it works the way it does and particularly useful information on its quirks and shortcomings. The theory is just limited to bare Java or XML either. The coverage is particularly strong on other areas such as SAX and JDOM too. Examples: Lots of them. From simple ones showing single concepts up to complete implementations of Java/XML technology (such as a working B2B model). Reference: The index is comprehensive and accurate and makes all the difference between the book being background reading (which it is) but also enables it to earn its place on your desktop (and believe me, as you're getting into implementing XML for real, you'll need it).
Rating: 
Summary: A good introduction but professional developers beware.
Review: If you are looking for a good introduction to using XML with Java then this is as good as any other but over half the book uses third-party libraries which exist outside the standards (JDK, SAX and DOM) and therefore if you are writing code for commercial purposes this is not much use. What I wanted from the book was an explanation of issues such as using RMI and RPC to transfer XML data. What I got was whole chapters on using a library which might (but does not) achieve what I want. After an explanation of the SAX and DOM APIs the authors then introduce their alternative API which is then used through the book. At the same time the authors criticise Microsoft for not following the standards!!! In addition a number of O'Reilly books I have purchased in the last year suffer from poor binding quality; my copy of this has started falling apart within a week of purchase.
Rating:
Summary: How XML meets Java
Review: XML is the main subject of this book with Java coming in second. This may disappoint some people who were expecting a coverage showing where XML can be applied in Java. Yet it is this very misconception about what XML is and what it has to offer that this highly readable book kills already in the first few chapters. XML is used in servlets and B2B applications with Java in a clarity and depth not available elsewhere. O'Reilly did it again. The quality and coverage of this book is superb. The full potential of XML and Java is all there.
Rating:
Summary: If your a java programmer this is the xml book for you
Review: Brett did a great job with this book. I think it is the best XML and Java book on the market at this time. I looked at alot of other books but this is the book for the real java programmers to read and to keep on the desk right near the computer. Brett GREAT JOB! VERY WILL DONE
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and up to date
Review: This is both an introduction to XML and using it with Java. The author not only teaches you the basics, but helps you understand advance XML concepts. New concepts like using remote procedure calls via http using XML-rpc is also discussed. I would recommend this book to every Java and XML developer as well as beginners.
Rating:
Summary: Flawed Writing Mars Otherwise Fine Effort
Review: I tried sitting down and reading this book, and I got to about page 75. Then I tried using it as a reference, and I got nowhere. This book undoubtedly has many nuggets of information, but unfortunately they are scattered throughout tons of manure (words). Devoid of useful figures and tables, this book is words words words words words words, a little code, repeat. It's not uncommon for the poor reader to have to plow through page after page of nothing but words. If I want a novel, I'll go with Hemingway; if I want a technical book, I want to be able to skim through it and use it as a reference. Neither of those are possible with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Reads like a novel
Review: I had been using expat and perl to support my XML data. Most of the info on the topic pointed to Java as being most closely associated with XML for future tools. I needed to proceed with a validating parser, and this pointed me to SAX, which then pointed me to this book. I started at page 1 and started to read. I am quite pleased. I was surprised because not only did I pick up the knowledge on aspects of XML (xsl, schemas, etc), but I was able to understand and implement the Java examples as well ... and I don't know Java very well. This is the best written book on XML I have read (and I have read a few). He also has a nice sense of humor.
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