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The Java Class Libraries: Second Edition
Patrick Chan and Rosanna Lee (and Doug Kramer for Volume 1)
Addison Wesley (The Java Series)
Volume 1: ISBN 0-201-31002-3; not yet available
Volume 2: ISBN 0-201-31003-1; 1682 pages; approx. $55.00 US
These big hardcover books cover all the APIs with good, simple examples, and are very comprehensive. They do not cover the Java language, just the APIs. This set is the best Java API reference in my opinion. I suggest you don't buy the API books (another two-volume set in this same series), but instead buy this: it's much better, with examples!

This is the easiest of the API reference books to navigate through, because the classes are listed alphabetically, regardless of package. I have two copies of the original edition of book, it gets borrowed so much. I'm anxiously awaiting Volume 1 of this Second Edition, but Volume 2 will probably get used more (for AWT reference).

One of the two volumes of this 2nd edition, Java 1.1, is now available: Volume 2, which covers java.applet, java.awt, and java.beans packages. Volume 1, which includes java.lang, java.io, java.math, java.net, java.text, and java.util, is expected to be available in March 1998.

As I expected, this new edition (what I have seen of it so far) is excellent and still tops my list for advanced readers.

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