Java is one of, if not the most, widespread programming language. Given its popularity, it's not surprising that our reviewers have scrutinized over 50 books relating to it, both new and classic. This is the pick of recommended titles for programmers who know some Java and want to go further.

I Programmer takes a real interest in books. We try to keep up with new releases with Book Watch and based on what we include there members of the team select titles that match their interests for full review. To be included in a Programmer's Bookshelf selection, a book needs to have impressed our reviewer enough to be awarded a high rating - at least 4 on our 5-point scale.

As there are so many Java books which were highly rated, we've split them into three piles. This is our selection of Java books for Java programmers who are already past the beginner stage. You can also check out our selection of Java Books For Beginners. Our final selection of books on Java tools and extras will be coming soon.

For this round-up the main points of each review have been extracted. To read the full version click on the title. Clicking on the book jacket thumbnails in the side panel will take you to Amazon. If you make a book purchase accessing Amazon via a link to it on IProgrammer we are credited with a few cents - so thanks to all of you who support us in this way.

Core Java For The Impatient

ISBN: 978-0134694726
Author: Cay S. Horstmann 
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Pages:1040

Reviewing this book and awarding it a rating of 4.5 stars, Alex Armstrong concluded that the Impatient in the title:

"seems to mean "expert programmer but not necessarily in Java".

While Alex reviewed the first edition, there is a newer second edition revised to include all the latest changes up to Java SE 9.

This is not a book for the beginner. It might even not be a book for the advanced Java programmer. This is a book that simply tells many programmers far more than they want to know at a speed that may be far too fast. On the other hand, if you really are smart and want to know a lot about Java this is a short sharp way to find out.

Highly recommended - but only if you can cope.

Core Java Volume I - Fundamentals (10e)

Author: Cay S. Horstmann 
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Pages: 1040
ISBN: 978-0134177304

This tenth edition is a revised and updated incarnation of classic. Awarding it 4.5 stars, Alex Armstrong said that this book is ideally suited to people who program in another language or have "messed about" with Java, forming a good and intelligent introduction to the core of the language with some extra bits tagged on.

He did add the caveat that while this is a book only suitable for an existing Java programmer, it is important to keep in mind that it isn't really an advanced book as there are lots of advanced topics - program methodologies for example - that it simply ignores (many of which are covered in the companion volume on Advanced Features. 

Core Java, Volume II Advanced Features

Author: Cay S. Horstmann & Gary Cornell 
Publisher: Prentice Hall 
Pages: 1152
ISBN: 978-0134177298

Like its companion Core Java Volume I Fundamentals this book is aimed at the professional Java programmer. Both books include a good deal of code. Some listings in this volume extend over ten or more pages so it is good to note that the code can be downloaded from the books' support website. We reviewed the 9th edition, but the book has now been updated to reflect Java SE 8. 

Alex Armstrong found that the two books together cover the language and the technology and provide a firm foundation for any Java programmer. Giving it 4.5 stars, Alex said:

"This second volume is as well written as the first and is characterized by the same intelligent discussion. How useful it is to you depends on which of the technologies and techniques it covers that you want to know about. Each of the chapters provides a good introduction to the basics of the subject. It takes you far enough for you to continue on to a book dedicated to the topic."

Effective Java 

Author: Joshua Bloch
Publisher: Addison Wesley
Pages: 384

ISBN: 978-0134685991

This is a classic that discusses the way that you should use Java in an intelligent and grown up way. There are no tricks or special effects, just a straightforward approach, leading Alex Armstrong to award it 5 stars. We reviewed the second edition, but there's a new third edition updated for Java 7, 8, and 9.

Alex did point out that to get the best from the book:

"you need to be able to program in Java to the point where you can think and reason about ways of achieving something in the best way. It also isn't a book of recipes - although you can't help but read it and take away new ways of doing things.

If you care about the craft of writing Java then this is a book you have to read.

If you don't care about the craft of writing Java then give up Java.

Highly recommended to all except the beginner."

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