This book is fairly fast-paced and assumes a bit of prior knowledge around the Java platform. Having said that, anyone who's gone beyond the Hello World examples should be able to follow - some prior UML knowledge would be advantageous. (For a real beginners' introduction to Java, consider Bruce Eckel's Thinking in Java).

The beauty of this book is the subtle and powerful introduction of design patterns and refactorings - by building and enhancing the sample programs, the author gently leads us from one OOP technique to the next. In this manner the reader is introduced to a set of basic (but highly useful) patterns, in context, with their reason for being, purpose, value clearly shown. The text is clear and the examples are well chosen so that each new pattern will become obvious by the time it is introduced.

This book is fairly fast-paced and assumes a bit of prior knowledge around the Java platform. Having said that, anyone who's gone beyond the Hello World examples should be able to follow - some prior UML knowledge would be advantageous. (For a real beginners' introduction to Java, consider Bruce Eckel's Thinking in Java).

The beauty of this book is the subtle and powerful introduction of design patterns and refactorings - by building and enhancing the sample programs, the author gently leads us from one OOP technique to the next. In this manner the reader is introduced to a set of basic (but highly useful) patterns, in context, with their reason for being, purpose, value clearly shown. The text is clear and the examples are well chosen so that each new pattern will become obvious by the time it is introduced.

I had this book for graduate class. I referred to a couple of times to look at design patterns. It just doesn't cut it for explaining in a practical manner structures of the patterns. It has a lot basic java, loops/decision structure, as REVIEW. I think that stuff is in there just to pad the book. The book is not geared toward a beginners in java so why even put decisions and loops in there? It supposed to be an OO book. Unless it's required AND the instructor assigns things from the book, skip it.
I ended up buying Head First Design patterns. That's much better for patterns

This book certainly delivers its purpose. It provides explanation and examples to several common OO problems. This book is written for people who are already quite familiar with programming. This would'nt be a good book for a newbie, or someone who just wants to take a glimpse a OO for fun.

It presents OO concepts in a structural, formal way, using a precise vocabulary so that somewhat medium-level programmers will understand clearly.