My Personal Java Book Recommendations

It's essential to have a reference handy as you learn. On-line books are great, but nothing takes the place of having a hard-copy in front of you.

My personal favorite is 'Thinking in Java', listed below. The author manages to explain the more difficult concepts in language that is clear and concise, yet doesn't talk down to the reader like some other books. Also - check out the other great books below, which I've found very helpful..

1. The Java Language Specification, Third Edition

Download : http://java.sun.com/docs/books/jls/
Author : James Gosling, Bill Joy, Guy Steele, Gilad Bracha
Description : Written by the inventors of the Java Language Specification. This book provides complete and detailed converge of the Java programing language.

2. Thinking in Java, 3rd Edition

Download : http://www.mindviewinc.com/Books/downloads.html
Author : Bruce Eckel
Description : Great and recommended Java book, chapters and tutorials are posted, public review, correction.

Note
Thinking in Java, 3rd edition is still free, but you need to pay for the latest 4th edition.

3. The Java Tutorial 4th Edition

Download : http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/
Author : Sharon Zakhour, Scott Hommel, Jacob Royal, Isaac Rabinovitch, Tom Risser, Mark Hoeber
Description : Accurate and up-to-date Java tutorials, and you can download the entire Java tutorials in bundle.

4. Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages, Second Edition

Download : http://pdf.coreservlets.com/

Author : Marty Hall and Larry Brown

Description : Complete and detailed coverage of using Servlets and JavaServer Pages (JSP).

5. Introduction to Programming Using Java, Sixth Edition

Download : http://math.hws.edu/javanotes/
Author : David J. Eck
Description : Good book for beginning programmers, and might also be useful for experienced programmers.