'Thinking in Java' vs 'The Java Programming Language'

Hey, just been wondering...

Does anyone have any experience with these books? I was thinking to get something slightly bit more 'in depth' than what I am using right now and can't decide between these two. Could you recommend me which one to take? I don't want to get them both as it will just make a mush of my brain. I would like to know, in your experience, which approach is better to help me become a really sound Java programmer?

Thanks a thousand!

Hi Kamila,

It is quite difficult to state which book you should go for, but you could have a look at JavaRanch bunkhouse, where Ranch staff review most popular books (<- link).
So you might could get a wider range of opinions about the books.

You can select one of quite few categories
By level: Beginning Java, Advanced Java.
By topic: Java EE, Servlets, Swing, and many more.

Best luck by developing your knowledge and skills

Thanks for reply!

I know it's not an easy to give an advice where one should start as there is such a wide choice. I have, however, I need to make up my mind between two positions - 'thinking in Java' and 'the Java programming language'. In the link you kindly provided I only found review of second and third edition of thinking in Java and It's simply not good enough these days as these editions were written for Java 1.4 and now with Java 8 out on the market...
I will refer my question. 'Thinking in Java' is a highly praised position, however the last edition is fourth from 2009/2010. It's 5-6 years on the market. That's quite a long time without refreshing. Is anyone able to tell me how accurate it is in a face of Java 7 for example? Is it worth buying or will I have to search the net for updates on the information presented in the book?
'The Java Programming Language' on the other hand is written by creators themselves, and has an opinion of very detailed one. Now is it a good idea, for a greenhorn like me to go that far down the rabbit hole?

Your opinions will be greatly appreciated!

What book are you using right now?

If you are planning to use these books to further understand OO in general rather than the latest features and syntax, you don't necessarily need to the latest version/edition of the book.

On the contrary the features are the things you are looking for I don't think neither book fits.

Kamila Bertran wrote:Hey, just been wondering...
Does anyone have any experience with these books? I was thinking to get something slightly bit more 'in depth' than what I am using right now !

I have them both. It's a matter of what you want. TIJ is very wordy and philosophical, goes on lots of tangents, and is twice as long as TJPL. TJPL might be comparable to what you already have? Of the two - if I had a deadline to learn the language and wanted a go-to reference I'd choose TJPL. If I wanted to sit on the porch under the magnolias sipping sweet tea learning Java and life in general I'd get TIJ.

You can probably go to Google books and see previews and get a feel for them.

Guillermo Ishi wrote:

I have them both. It's a matter of what you want. TIJ is very wordy and philosophical, goes on lots of tangents, and is twice as long as TJPL. TJPL might be comparable to what you already have? Of the two - if I had a deadline to learn the language and wanted a go-to reference I'd choose TJPL. If I wanted to sit on the porch under the magnolias sipping sweet tea learning Java and life in general I'd get TIJ.

You can probably go to Google books and see previews and get a feel for them.

Thanks! That was actually VERY helpful. TJPL it is than. ;-)