JVM spec is bit boaring but well written and not-that-difficult to understand (compare to fe wother specs I read).
I personally like following sections in the JVM.
#2.17 Execution
This is excellent section, very nicely written. They take a simple "java main" command explain how things are done internally in jvm.
#5(Loading,linking and initializing).
Explains class loaders,vm startup ,class linking etc.,
These two sections helped me understand the internal process in the jvm.
Rest of the sections I read on-demand.Qhen I needed to work on threads, I jumped onto
thread section.
Hope this helps.
[ October 24, 2006: Message edited by: Nav Letha ]