Editorial Reviews:
Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it s an object-oriented computer programming language like Java. You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn't always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you're forced to study. The fact is your brain craves novelty. It's constantly searching, scanning, waiting for something unusual to happen. After all, that's the way it was built to help you stay alive. It takes all the routine, ordinary, dull stuff and filters it to the background so it won't interfere with your brain's real work--recording things that matter. How does your brain know what matters? It's like the creators of the Head First approach say, suppose you're out for a hike and a tiger jumps in front of you, what happens in your brain? Neurons fire. Emotions crank up. Chemicals surge.
That's how your brain knows.
And that's how your brain will learn Java. Head First Java combines puzzles, strong visuals, mysteries, and soul-searching interviews with famous Java objects to engage you in many different ways. It's fast, it's fun, and its effective. And, despite its playful appearance, Head First Java is serious stuff: a complete introduction to object-oriented programming and Java. You'll learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced topics, including threads, network sockets, and distributed programming with RMI. And the new. second edition focuses on Java 5.0, the latest version of the Java language and development platform. Because Java 5.0 is a major update to the platform, with deep, code-level changes, even more careful study and implementation is required. So learning the Head First way is more important than ever.
If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect--a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. If you haven't, you're in for a treat. You'll see why people say it's unlike any other Java book you've ever read.
By exploiting how your brain works, Head First Java compresses the time it takes to learn and retain--complex information. Its unique approach not only shows you what you need to know about Java syntax, it teaches you to think like a Java programmer. If you want to be bored, buy some other book. But if you want to understand Java, this book's for you.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Java 5 with a zillion images *** Well written to intermediates
Comment: If you want the latest and greatest, get an updated version. *** This could be a first programming book, but as a second book -- it's great stuff. There are questions included. Very good stuff throughout. *** If you are preparing to write programs professionally, starting with this Java 5 book won't hurt. A lot of Java 5 code needs maintaining.... *** BTW: when you read these Java books and they mention databases, don't believe a word of it. Go directly to your database vendor's site and read what they tell developers. Read it twice. Carefully, both times. Work the examples. There's no such thing as generic "SQL machine" and a Java book is only gonna teach you Java.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best Book on JAVA for Beginners
Comment: I would simply say get this book if you are new to Java or OOP and want to learn Java fast. I am almost done reading this book and could not wait to write about this book. I just enjoyed reading this book. Reading this book was also a fun.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Learning Java Made Fun
Comment: I bought this book as a supplement to my text book. This book was was actually fun to read and the way they worded the concepts made them easier to understand. This book does not include every Java concept but does give you the fundamentals. Perfect book for a beginner.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: I honestly hate this book
Comment: Perhaps if you're a total beginner to programming and probably more so you're under 15 you'll like this book. For me I just hate it, I know this is one of those reviews that is just the out lier to the negative but I would honestly warn people away from this book despite the copious amounts of good reviews on here. Basically I enjoy a book that is straight to the point and condensed. Also I enjoy a book that gives correct terminology and sticks to using it. This book spends pages to explain basic concepts and wastes large amounts of page space on pictures and cartoons so you end up just flipping through multiples pages just searching around for the useful information. In one night of light reading and scanning I've already moved to page 173 and every new page just annoys me more.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Explains well but misses for SCJA test
Comment: This book is written really well in the sense that it explains the particular topic in a casual everyday manner, making it very easy to understand. I progressed through the entire book and found this to be the case regardless of difficulty of topic.
I have 2 big issues with this book:
1: After reading the book, and then opening up my McKenzie 'Mock Exam Questions' book for the SCJA to any random page (pgs 258-260 in this case, questions 12-2 thru 12-5) and trying to answer these 4, I found that the notation and terminology specified in those question was not mentioned in HFJ. Such as 'composite' & 'multiplicity', 'associated with'; the "-" in the class diagram meaning private, "+" meaning public.
So while the book is very easy to read, I'm not convinced there's a real correlation to passing the SCJA exam without studying McKenzie's questions and the answers.
2: there isn't nearly enough practice problems that the student can use to bring the just-explained concept home. There are the Code Magnets, 1 per chapter, sometimes, which I think are great, the Pool puzzles are fun, and the True/False I believe have value. Only one of each per 50page chapter, not nearly enough. But the Crossword puzzles I never attempted, nor the 'Five Minute Mystery', which is basically a word problem. Even typing in their code examples manually along the way just to see them run and try to let the coding constructs sink in was only minimally helpful.
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Go to the store to buy Head First Java, 2nd Edition
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