Head First Java, 2nd Edition

Head First Design Patterns

XML in a Nutshell, Third Edition

Programming

Java In A Nutshell, 5th Edition

Format: Paperback
Author: David Flanagan
ReleaseDate: 15 March, 2005
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Rating:

Indispensible
That's probably because it's a reference book. I use this Java book more than any other programming book I've ever had. Although all the reference material I could need is available online, I still like having the book on the desk next to me so I can look up a class or a method without playing around on the computer. I became a Sun Certified Java Programmer several years ago and although I've read many Java books before then and since then, the only book I would be hard pressed to do without is this one!.

An essential part of any Java Programmer's inventory
Whilst this book is not suited to learning Java, it is very handy when you need to look up the concise facts. I have coded Java for many years, and I have always considered the the successive editions of the nutshell book an essential reference. I highly recommend this book even if you have previous editions. Java 5 has some significant changes, and you will run into problems if you don't take time to understand them.

Like the language, this book is bloated
" Since the second edition, this book has tripled in size. I believe it says a lot about the state of Java as a language that 1,252 pages are required to describe the language "in a nutshell. Surely this book now goes beyond the scope of what is required to teach the basics of the language.