Looking for a better book to teach myself Java

I have been trying to learn Java from the book "Teach Yourself Java" by Joseph O'Neil and Herb Schildt for a few days now, and am not really understanding it. The book is poorly written with bad examples and confusing presentation of new concepts. Do you all have any recommendations for a good first Java book?

Hi
I think Head First ,by Kathy Seirra is one of the best books for begineers.
Its very basic & easy book.everything explained very beautifully with pictures & markings.
The 'complete Reference' is also good ,but not as simple as first one is.

Originally posted by Lucky J Verma:
...I think Head First ,by Kathy Seirra is one of the best books for begineers...

Yup, that's the book to use.

Thanks, just ordered it for pretty good price off of Amazon. I am not sure if I am going to try to return this book I have or not...it might come in handy to have around.

I started on that same book and went on a journey of several others, and wound up with Head First Java. The thing I noticed was that I don't even think "Teach Yourself Java" was a Java 2 book. Mine was printed back in the 90's and once on a visit to B&N I saw it, checked it, and it was the exact same printing... I figured this CAN'T bode well.

While I have a couple of others HFJ really appeals to me and my sense of humor. Good stuff.

...yea this book has a copyright date of 1999...I didn't notice that.

I agree that Head First is a great book. There are also a lot of good free resources on the web, starting with the Sun Java Tutorials. I continue to find them to be a great reference. Mark Dexter

HEAD FIRST JAVA

If you ever see a Herb Schildt book...RUN!

Head First is pretty good, although tragically light in some places. You can't go to wrong with it.

Another good one is Thinking in Java