Book Pyre

THIS is how I finally learned Java. It took me a while, partially due to lack of motivation, partially due to reading the wrong books. This book however I would recommend to anyone wanting to learn Java. It does not use my least favorite method of teaching a language (building a single application trying to force in every programming concept, class, and method), instead they use small examples focusing on the topic at hand. This book also does not focus exclusively on GUI or web programming, although it does cover both. I personally prefer when computer books to not assume they know WHY you want to learn the language, and just teach it to you.