Spring in Action (C Walls) versus Beginning Spring (Holler et al)

[Ahmed Bin S]

Hello,

This message is for someone who has read Spring in Action by C Walls.

To summarise, I want to read a book on Spring over the Christmas and New Year period.

I haven't used Spring before, so am inclined towards Beginning Spring, however, Spring in Action seems more comprehensive. I don't really have the time to read both books, the reviews for Spring in Action are very good but one reviewer says it isn't for novices.
Now I know the syntax of Java, I studied Computer Science over a decade ago and studied C++ and Java, Software Engineering, Design Patterns etc, and did the SCJP in 2006, however, I haven't ever worked as a Java developer, so I would say I am in some ways a beginner, what I would like to know is whether Spring in Action would be suitable for someone with my level of knowledge i.e. when the reviewer says it isn't suitable for novices, does he mean complete novices or does he mean people like me too?

Thanks.

[Bear Bibeault]

I would recommend Spring in Action. Not only is it a very comprehensive book, Craig Walls is a very good technical writer.

Disclaimers: The edition of Spring in Action I read is pretty old (but I can only assume latter editions got even better), and I also am a Manning author even though I do not know Craig personally.

[Ahmed Bin S]

Thanks - will review it once finished