I'm studying for the
SCJP 1.4 exam. I have been lucky enough to get both the SCJP&D Study Guide and Head Start
Java. Both are by Bert Bates and Kathy Sierra. I love 'em both (The books, I mean: I don't know Bert and Kathy).
Head First Java teaches the way I want to learn-- I can feel my grey matter pumping up with new Java knowledge. It just grabbed my attention and held it-- great graphics, informal writing style, and an in-your-face, think-outside-the-box attitude that just hammered points home for me.
The SCJP&D Study Guide has the knowledge I need to pass the SCJP. It explains the exam objectives clearly, warns about the booby-traps the preparers might have left for me, and generally is very detailed. I would not feel confident going into the exam without this book. Its humorous writing style was heads above most other technical books.
If I had to choose between them, I'd have to go with the Study Guide just because it really covers the material I need for the exam.
HOWEVER (you knew this was coming), once I had seen the Head Start Java book, I no longer wanted to read the Study Guide. Although my first reaction to the Study Guide was, "cool, a tech book with chutzpah", it seemed kinda frumpy and dowdy and grandmothery after seeing Head Start. I had to force myself back to the Study Guide (exam date's coming up fast!)
I wish there were a way to squish the two books together-- a "Head Start SCJP Exam Guide". Something with the cool writing style, attention-grabbing graphics, and general teaching effectiveness of Head Start with the exam objectives, hints and tricks, and sample exam questions of the Study Guide.
If they wrote it, I'd buy it. But they'd better write it soon, because I'm going to take the exam within two weeks.