Horstmann: I'm Cay Horstmann. I'm the author of the "Core Java" book that's been around for 20-some years. It's probably what I'm best known for. That's what keeps me looking at the forefront of Java.

The book itself is broken down into 14 chapters to explain the core Java basics. You’ll learn about some language fundamentals, GUI programming, multithreading, and I/O basics.

Your friend should start with the two volumes of Core Java, then go to Effective Java, and then read topically. It's not "200 pages" and it is a time investment, but they're the best books I can ...

I don't need to be taught in some new age, 2 minute attention span, unorganized piece of crap manner that the head first books employ.<BR><BR>The core java books are much much better as is ...