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Thinking in Java (4th Edition)
Bruce Eckel
$25.49 *
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Thinking In Java by Bruce Eckel (2006, Paperback)
Bruce Eckel
$32.99
Thinking in Java (4th Edition)
Bruce Eckel
20th February 2006
$37.95 *
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Thinking In Java by Bruce Eckel (2006, Paperback)
$40.00
Thinking in Java (4th Edition)
$43.98
Thinking in Java (4th Edition)
Bruce Eckel
$44.09
Reviews 
Confusing to say the least
30th August 2010
A more appropriate title should be something like "Transitioning to Java from C++"!
I rarely ever do reviews, I know its a bad thing but I am trying to change. With that being said, let me jump into why I do NOT like this book. I have programmed before. In fact, I have taken a course in Java before but back then I hated programming and learned very little (now, I have seen the light :-). I am enrolled in a grad course that expects us to understand Java and so I bought this book. Before I even started reading the book, I had concerns. I "skimmed" through the book and noticed how conversational the book seemed. In my opinion a conversational tone does not teach you how to program. For example, if I have no clue about Object Oriented Programming, do I really want a five page lecture about what it is, and explaining all the parts. Explaining such terms makes little physical connection and you really never get it unless you code and see it working. The first code in the book refers to methods that were not explained and the continuous reference to C++ is extremely annoying and counter productive for those of use who don't know the language. In chapter one of a Java beginners book, there are comparisons to C++ with regards to memory leakage and garbage collections, terms that means very little to the beginner. What this approach will do, is to allow new terms to accumulate in your mind and it will start to frustrate you as the things mentioned has no meaning to you. The book assumes that you have some exposure to programming, it does not say what kind of programming language, so why does every page make a comparison to C++??
I am trying to return my book and I will be more cautious when buying my next book. I just kind of picked this book randomly.
Great book
23rd May 2010
This book is enormous and has a ton of information including object oriented design, which my professor really focuses on. For someone learning Java this book is very resourceful with code examples and explanations of different scenarios. I spent a good amount of time in the I/O sections and that specifically was littered with excellent examples.
Inclusive but not fun
19th May 2010
Although the book includes the main Java features and libraries (which is positive), I found it a bit boring and way too long. I think that for that amount of pages the reader should get much more insight. I would recommend instead "Effective Java".
Boring is an understatement.
11th April 2010
I took this book to learn about Annotations since there aren't many on this topic. THe explainations were just PAINFUL. I mean the author just throws in sentences with no reference whatsoever to what the words mean. It's like he expects me to read his mind. Its like watching a movie where you have to sit through about 3/4th of the movie to finally get what the plot is. Ok so if you watch the whole movie you might be able to tell what happened in the movie. But the first 3/4th of your time is just a torture if you are a person wth average patience. And here we are talking about 1100 pages for heaven's sake. I guess I have to start looking elsewhere.
A challenging and ultimately rewarding read
22nd November 2009
I don't like computer books that treat you like a kid: you need to go through chapters and chapters before the author starts challenging you. Not this one. TIJ reads like a conversation, moves fast and is always surprising you with interesting programming snippets. Its actually a lot of fun to read and tough to put down!
Undoubtedly one of the best books I've read in programming.
Read it if you want a non-dumbed down approach to Java.
Reviews supplied by customers at Amazon.com
