despite the hype , i wouldnt recommend the following books to anyone
interested in java.

1.) thinking in java- bruce eckel.
===========================
inaccessible for complete newbies. u cant begin
java with this. degenerates into drivel quickly,
unnecessary complexity ,convulated and meaningless examples.
u just want to know how to call the damn API and u seeing
tonnes or lines of codes that get u no where quickly.
the chapter on interfaces, was terribly done.
plus:
the chapter on i/o's was very well done.
Avoid if ur a newbie.


2.) java how to program- deitel and deitel.
===============================
okay - first 9 chpters. rubbish afterwards.
u want to know the syntax,and how to use em -first
before the gui stuff.
this book starts with gui's so u spend half ur working time
with the book writing 'import javax.swing.*'
a newbie would find it hard adjusting to the command line after
this book.
besides- it is 'java HOW TO program'
why is it over a 1000 pages long?
tries to accomplish too much at once.
tries to be a UML, SOFTWARE ENGINEERING and java resource
guide all at once.
the extremely long explanations after each example is uncalled
for. a learner should figure out some things for himself .
this book is poor.
the exercises are stimulating though,if u can still stand the bloated
pile after a while.
would be pathetic for those newbies who have only this resource
to learn from.

java programming for dummies.
=========================
for one most 'for dummies books'
are zero investments. stale jokes in every paragraph block ur flow.
then when u jump that hurdle u find u land in nothing.
the book lacks depth, and is too simplistic. infact,
a newbie without guidance will be decieved into thinking
he's learnt anything after going thru this.
its better to face a book that calls a spade a spade
instead of one that gives u only 1/10th of the tip of the concepts.
if u bought this book,throw it away and count ur losses.




others: Sybex books- 20% of the book is padded.
u can learn java in 500 pages, no need for 1000+ books.
u want a book that tells u how to
1.) compile programs,
2.) introduces the data types,
and shows u how to use them ,in short simple examples.
3.) is slim ,no extra talk,so u can accomplish sth. before
phcn takes what little light they give or before u new mind get's too confused.
the only book i found that fit the bill was
JAVA IN 24 HOURS by rogers cadenhead.
his jokes werent stale,
his examples were simple enuff for a newbie.

fallguy:

despite the hype , i wouldnt recommend the following books to anyone
interested in java.

1.) thinking in java- bruce eckel.
===========================
inaccessible for complete newbies. u can't begin
java with this. degenerates into drivel quickly,
unnecessary complexity ,convulated and meaningless examples.
u just want to know how to call the damn API and u seeing
tonnes or lines of codes that get u no where quickly.
the chapter on interfaces, was terribly done.
plus:
the chapter on i/o's was very well done.
Avoid if your a newbie.

You're absolutely alone here ,
The examples in TIJ are simple and designed that way so that java features can be tested easily and quickly.
I don't need to build a whole GUI app to teach polymorphism. Yeah it might not be the right book for the newbie programmer, but its ideal for the newbie java programmer. One thing is guaranteed, if you take the time to complete the book and practice the examples you'd come out like a pro(after the experience)
I'm happy you admitted about the chapter on IO , he did justice to it.
have you read the 4th edition ? he has removed some chapters and added others ,
What chapter do you think is a waste of time ?

@op So which one would you recommend?