There are many Java books aimed at those new to programming but Core Java 2 Volume 1: Fundamentals is for working programmers. Though it includes the apparently compulsory history of Java this is no more than a precursor to installing the Java SDK. The authors claim writing code for yourself is a better way to learn than using a IDE, but they do concede using Forte--Sun"s free graphical Java programming front end--can make life a little easier. Practical sample code is used to illustrate just about every feature discussed. The code is useful in itself and is intended to be extended or incorporated into real projects by the reader. Four chapters are devoted to the Java language itself with the rest exploring the many libraries. While Java may be a simpler language than C++ (on which its syntax was based) there are still many thousands of library function to learn before you can think about commercial Java work. In Core Java 2 Volume 1: Fundamentals, Swing is the standard for programming graphical interfaces though AWT lives on for event handling. The authors examine all the graphical support built into the JFC at considerable length, moving logically onto Applets. The book ends with files and streams, which with what went before provides everything you need to begin working on real applications. The CD-ROM that comes with the book includes all the source code used in the book. You also get Java SDK 1.3 for Windows and Solaris, Forte and some useful utilities. Overall, a good first choice for programmers looking to learn Java. --Steve Patient