Book Description
An intimate biography of the great songwriter, this is also a deeply affectionate memoir by one of Johnny Mercer’s best friends.
“Moon River,” “Laura,” “Skylark,” ”That Old Black Magic,” “One for My Baby,” “Accentuate the Positive,” “Satin Doll,” “Days of Wine and Roses,” “Something’s Gotta Give”—the honor roll of Mercer’s songs is endless. Both Oscar Hammerstein II and Alan Jay Lerner called him the greatest lyricist in the English language, and he was perhaps the best-loved and certainly the best-known songwriter of his generation. But Mercer was also a complicated and private man.
A scion of an important Savannah family that had lost its fortune, he became a successful Hollywood songwriter (his primary partners included Harold Arlen and Jerome Kern), a hit recording artist, and, as co-founder of Capitol Records, a successful businessman, but he remained forever nostalgic for his idealized childhood (with his “huckleberry friend”). A gentleman, a nasty drunk, funny, tender, melancholic, tormented—Mercer was a man immensely talented yet plagued by
self-doubt, much admired and loved but never really understood.
In music historian and songwriter Gene Lees, Mercer has his perfect biographer, who deals tactfully but directly with Mercer’s complicated relationships with his domineering mother; his tormenting wife, Ginger; and Judy Garland, who was the great love of his life. Lees’s highly personal examination of Mercer’s life is sensitive as only the work of a friend of many years could be to the conflicts in Mercer’s nature. And it is filled with insights into Mercer’s work that could come only from a fellow lyricist (whose own lyrics were much admired by Mercer).
A poignant, candid, revelatory portrait of Johnny.
Customer Reviews:
great lyricist.......2007-01-17
I've always been a fan of Johnny Mercer and this book let me know thhe man behind the songs that he wrote.
Excellent book
Packed with reflections by those who knew him best.......2006-05-23
PORTRAIT OF JOHNNY: THE LIFE OF JOHN HERNDON MERCER isn't just for already-dedicated fans of the musician, but for any interested in the lasting effects of his songs. Gene Lees is a music historian and songwriter who handles well the sensitive details of Mercer's life and times. From his complicated relationships with a domineering mother and tormenting wife and to his work on show songs which succeeded and some which failed, PORTRAIT OF JOHNNY is packed with reflections by those who knew him best.
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch
INCOMPLETE PORTRAIT.......2006-01-06
Being an admirer of Mr. Mercer's work, I looked forward to reading this book. I found the bio's author, who was acquainted with the songwriter, to be way too intrusive, opinionated and judgmental. The author heaps abuse on Mercer's wife of many years mostly because of her life post-Johnny and, amazingly enough, because she apparently wasn't a good conversationalist ("I could never find anything to talk about with her" is the refrain that occurs way too often). The other reviews of this book posted here interested me because it hints at something that is completely glossed over in the book - Mercer's sexuality. The closest it gets to the issue is the statement that Judy Garland always got involved with homosexual men, followed a few sentences later with the beginning of Mercer's affair with her. Mercer is obviously tormented and unhappy about something throughout his life - Lees near the end of the book tries to pin it on Ginger, but given the apparent lack of passion in that relationship, that doesn't seem to hold up. If Lees is afraid to say Mercer was closeted, fine - but he shouldn't then blame everything wrong in his life on his wife. Mercer was an incredibly talented man - but I think being the wife of a sexually conflicted man is probably not the happiest position to be in either. There is a lot of good information about Mercer in this book, but the author puts himself in the middle of it much too much.
Five stars . . . IF you can answer the question.......2005-03-24
Yesterday, I spoke with about a dozen of my co-workers -- most of them ten or even twenty years younger -- and asked each of them, "Who's Jerome Kern? -- does that name ring a bell with you?" None of my friends recognized the name of the `dean' of great American popular songwriters - the man whose melodies inspired ALL of the other great composers - especially, George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers.
This sad reality confirmed a thought I had, the moment I picked up this book, and wondered, to myself, Is there really any market for a book about Johnny Mercer? -- a songwriter who died almost 30 years ago?- How many people today would care to read a biography - however interesting (and this one is simply superb) - that concerns an old songwriter? --- even someone who was, according to his peers, the greatest lyricist of the English language?
Here's a simple test: If the following song titles mean something to you - then I can guarantee you will LOVE this book: "Skylark," "Autumn Leaves," "The Summer Wind," "One For My Baby," "Something's Gotta Give," "Laura," "I Remember You," "That Old Black Magic," "Dream (when you're feeling blue) --- all of them, and many others, written by the same man, and celebrated here in "The Life of John Herndon Mercer," written by an old friend and fellow lyricist, Gene Lees.
----
Mercer's best writing was to the music of the greatest composers of popular song - beginning with Jerome Kern in the early 1930s, ("I'm Old Fashioned") and continuing for 30 years, until the early 60s, when Johnny wrote two, consecutive "Best Song" Oscar winners with Henry Mancini -- "Moon River" and "Days of Wine and Roses."
We're reminded with many a poignant anecdote, that a golden age of great song writing died, years before Johnny Mercer left us, on June 25, 1976 - after lingering in a semi-vegetative state for eight months, following brain cancer surgery.
His widow, Ginger, presented Gene Lees with the only copy of Johnny's unfinished memoir, in the hopes that the author could develop it, into a book. Lees uses portions of Johnny's insightful writings, interjecting trenchant observations of his own -- as if conversing with the spirit of his old friend. Interspersed are conversations Gene had with Johnny, such as one from the late 60s, concerning the quality of contemporary song lyrics. Said Mercer,
"A lot of people who can't write (songs) are trying to write . . . and it's based on (a combination of) Elizabethan structure and hill music . . . like Simon and Garfunkel and Jimmy Webb and Johnny Hartford, and the kids down in Nashville - they take the guitar and try to philosophize to a hillbilly tune with chords that come from 'way, 'way (long) ago . . . I think Webb is a superior writer, I didn't mean to classify him with the others, and Burt Bacharach is trying very hard to be different --- too hard (I'd say) but he is gifted."
Then, musing about the songs that were popular in America almost a century ago, Mercer (born in 1909) wrote, "I used to listen with awe and wonder to every kind of music I could get my hands on. Gypsy airs on the accordion or zither, harmonica blues, gems from Broadway, the yodels of Jimmy Rodgers, cowboy songs from the prairies, all reached my ears and touched my heart.
When I remember talking to the old timers as a child, I know that the well of our folk music goes deeper than I or even my grandfather knew. The traditional songs were brought over here in the holds of the immigrant boats and the slave traders, those that reached us via the islands, are only a drop in the bucket, so vast and deep is the reservoir that we have kept hidden in our heart.
After a man spent all day ploughing a field, or herding cattle, laboring on the docks or in the mills, poling the canals and picking cotton, he had no movies or phonograph to lighten his burden . . . but he had his family, his jug and his banjo or mouth organ or concertina, and he could sing the old songs to escape and remind himself of happier times and wonderful far-off places. . . These were times when Mama and Pa and Grandpa and Uncle Silas forgot their troubles, forgot to be stern, and were as human as the kids."
This is a passage, according to Lees, "that could never have been written by Cole Porter, Lorenz Hart, Dorothy Fields or . . . any of the other major lyricists Johnny respected. It reveals a deep identification with the American people, the so-called common folk. Of all the sophisticated, literate lyricists, only John Mercer had this quality.
On the very next page, Lees chides his old friend for expressing the hope, in his memoir, that it's never too late for there to be another generation of good, if not great, song writers. As if in conversation, Lees writes tellingly,
"Oh John, you've fallen into the trap of optimism. Since you died, popular music has only deteriorated further. In the age of Elvis popular music dispensed with interesting and beautiful harmony. In the age of rap, it dispensed even with melody, beautiful or otherwise . . . . and radio (which made the career of Johnny Mercer) evolved in such a way that it is impossible to find anything by Jerome Kern on the air, and jazz has disappeared from commercial radio broadcasting. In 2002, National Public Radio cancelled its jazz shows. John, you may not have liked "Hair" the musical, or the Beatles . . . but compared with what is going on now, the songs of both seem like towers of taste and intelligence.
"Occasionally Shirley Horn or Natalie Cole will have a successful album of the great standards, and Diana Krall became a star singing them. But there is NO circumstance to generate the creation of (great) new songs in your tradition."
----
Near the end of this splendid biography, Lees quotes Mercer in a prophetic observation about his own legacy, in answer to a question posed by a BBC interviewer,
"I think some of my songs may be noticed, as individual pieces, but I think Gilbert (& Sullivan, and Lorenz) Hart, possibly (Ira) Gershwin - because of his brother, but mostly because of his wit, his sly sense of humor, and (Irving) Berlin and (Cole) Porter, going right on up into (Alan Jay) Lerner and (Frank) Loesser, will be studied . . . and collected . . . and forgotten."
After including the names of "a few more" Johnny forgot to mention - Dorothy Fields, Oscar Hammerstein and the Bergmans, Marilyn and Alan, among others, the author recapitulates that lyric writing, "at least when it is pursued to its highest level" is the most difficult literary form of all - matching perfect words to great melodies.
The author recalls a stranger asking him (Gene Lees): "Don't you think Johnny was MORE than a lyricist? - that he was a poet?" Lees replied, without hesitation, "No, he was more than a poet - he was a lyricist."
Lees' book better than Furia's?.......2005-03-11
Neither of them do a great job showing what kind of woman Ginger really was, though Furia has some scenes showing Johnny treating her as though she were nothing but trailer trash. Let's face it, Ginger isn't going to be well thought of by any member of the reading public until she gets a full biography of her own. Why not? Ada had one--the wife of Vladimir Nabokov. And after the two biographies of Johnny, we certainly need a life of Ginger as a corrective. Lees hints that Johnny Mercer had a sexual identity problem. Even if he did it wasn't Ginger's fault. You know right away that as soon as some guy reveals that Judy Garland was the love of his life, well basically that is saying, well, he's gay.
That said, Lees is very good about exploring the general shape of Mercer's career. It was a skyrocket that looped and billowed all over the night sky, and he never wound up in the place you might have predicted for him. His writing was sometimes ornate and flowery, but just when you had him figured out as a Swinburne of popular song, he could surprise you with something austere and simple (like "I Thought About You" or "Autumn Leaves" or "The Sweetheart Tree"). His writing changed with the times, and yet it seems timeless, like the moods of "Moon River." Gene Lees responds more than Furia to the claims place made on Mercer, from Savannah to New York to the famous Capital Records building in LA which he helped to build. He remains an inspiration to songwriters everywhere; poets too.
Book Description
This is the first book in the new series, is a comprehensive introduction to philosophical problems in the social sciences, encompassing traditional and contemporary perspectives. It is readily accessible, with a firm emphasis on communicating difficult philosophical ideas clearly and effectively to those from outside this discipline. Ted Benton and Ian Craib move systematically through major topic areas, from positivism to post-structuralism, using a wide variety of examples and cases to illustrate key themes.
Customer Reviews:
one star is too high.......2005-10-02
This is the biggest waste of money and time reading I have ever experienced. Had to read this book and use for a Social & Behavioral science undergrad degree and literally felt it did not teach me a thing about theory. WHY? BECAUSE IT IS SOOOOO BADLY WRITTEN! These social scientists should have hired a writer to express their thoughts and research work. I am not a stranger to philosophy, but this....wow.........It might as well have been written in Japanese (which I dont speak)
The declivities of social science..........2005-09-21
I found this book one day at the last minute on the shelf at my local Borders. I looked through it, it seemed promising, and gagging at the steep price tag, nonetheless went along and bought it. It was only partly worth the price.
Benton and Craib provide a fairly decent tour of the major issues in sociological thought, but their account is tainted with all the declivities that we can expect from sociologists, who as a group, often display rather muddled ideas about things. For instance, neither Benton nor Craib seem terribly well versed in evolutionary biology, which they repeatedly denigrate and refer to as 'evolutionism', and both seem to labor on in nearly complete ignorance of the full breadth of the Popperian critique of classical empiricism. Their account, devoid of any appreciation for or understanding of critical rationalism, presents science as more or less slave to the classical empiricism of the 'logical positivists' and their attacks on science and accounts of anti-science sociologies are subsequently biased as a result. The situation climaxes in the dismal panegyric to the glorious propriety of 'feminist standpoint epistemology' to which the reader is subjected in chapter nine.
For those without a strong grounding in philosophy or natural science, this primer will present a seriously misleading account of both, at many places in its tour of sociological thought. I would thus suggest a more balanced and more informed reader for an introduction to the social sciences.
Horrible piece of material.......2005-05-09
This book was a requirement for me since I am a PhD candidate, and I am taking a course that needs this book. However, just because a book is required doesn't mean the book is good. I found this book very hard to read, understand, and stay focus on. I had to use this book to do assignments barely able to lift a sentence and when I did find the right statement, it was worded so gawdy that it gave me a headache. Reseach classes are hard enough...do I need a book that is just as hard....hec no. This book also was published by the authors themselves...you can see why.
I wouldnt recommend this book to anyone.
Book Description
The peoples of the world are now facing movement, mixing and displacement on a larger scale than ever before. We are witness to the rise of new forms of ethnic, cultural and religious identity. Those based in the highly developed countries can extend global influence through wealth and sophisticated technology. Anthropology has inherited a tradition of tolerance and cross-cultural understanding: what light can it throw on the new pursuit of truth?
With contributions from leading anthropologists from Germany, the US, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and Britain,
The Pursuit of Certainty presents a dozen original case studies which explore this theme.
This book demonstrates anthropology's relevance to the contemporary world and its turbulence providing a critical perspective on the new religious movements and current popular orthodoxies about society and culture. Complementing the text-led approaches of history or theology, each chapter offers insights from patient investigative fieldwork, illustrating the way the new ideologies interact with each other and with older ideas in the actual practices of communities.
Apart from anthropologists, this volume will attract special attention from students of comparative religion, as well as from ethnic studies.
Average customer rating:
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An introduction to Christian philosophy (University series, philosophical studies)
J M Spier
Manufacturer: Craig Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
 Epistemology
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
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General
| Theology
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
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General
| Christianity
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Philosophy & Religion
| Religious Studies
| Religion & Spirituality
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ASIN: B0007EINP8 |
Book Description
In the 1890's, when fields such as psychology and philosophy were just emerging, turf wars between the disciplines were common-place. Philosophers widely discounted the possibility that psychology's claim to empirical truth had anything relevant to offer their field. And psychologists, such as the crazed and eccentric Otto Weinegger, often considered themselves philosophers. Freud, it is held, was deeply influenced by his wife, Martha's, uncle, who was also a philosopher. The tension between the fields persisted, until the two fields eventually matured and grew apart.
Until the publication of Martin Kursch's masterly work
Psychologism, few philosophers and psychologists have attended to their originally unhappy, turn-of-the-century engagement. Martin Kusch explores the origins of psychologism in Germany and fin de siecle Vienna by examining two major figures of twentieth century philosophy: Frege and Husserl. As one of the few serious works on Frege, Kusch trenchantly and clearly reconstructs the debate and the context in which it flourished.
Psychologism will prove to be a key work of intellectual history on a subject which has largely been overlooked and, above all, understudied.
Average customer rating:
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Radical Reflection and the Origin of the Human Sciences
Calvin O Schrag
Manufacturer: Purdue University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Consciousness & Thought
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Humanism
| Movements
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| AIDS
| Abuse
| Adults
| Aging
| Children
| Class
| Communities
| Culture
| Death
| General
| History
| Leisure
| Marriage & Family
| Medicine
| Men
| Occupational
| Race Relations
| Religion
| Research & Measurement
| Rural
| Social Groups
| Social Situations
| Social Theory
| Suburban
| Urban
| Women
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 091119858X |
Book Description
This is a book about the human sciences. However, it is not a treatise on scientific methodology nor is it a proposal for a unification of the human sciences through an integration of their findings within a general conceptual scheme.
Book Description
This work critically examines the approach to science of Bloor, Barnes and other "strong program" sociologists who advocate a "science of science" or "finitism." It takes a similarly critical look at anthropologists in the lab such as Collins, Latour, and Woolgar. Indeed, The Rational and the Social tries to determine the ways in which social forces and rational theory choice interact with one another; it then offers a strategy for dealing with the social, resulting in the improvement of science.
Book Description
Scientific Discourse in Sociohistorical Context represents the intersection of knowledge and method, examined from the perspective of three distinct disciplines: linguistics, rhetoric-composition, and history. Herein, Dwight Atkinson describes the written language and rhetoric of the Royal Society of London, based on his analysis of its affiliated journal, The Philosophical Transactions, starting with the 17th century advent of modern empirical science through to the present day. Atkinson adopts two independent approaches to the analysis of written discourse--from the fields of linguistics and rhetoric-composition--and then integrates and interprets his findings in light of the history of the Royal Society and British science.
Atkinson's study provides the most complete and particular institutional account of a scientific journal, which in this case is a publication that stands as an icon of scientific publication. He supplies his readers with important material found nowhere else in the historical literature, including details about the operation of the journal and its relation to the society. The work embeds the history of the journal and its editors within the history of the Royal Society and other developments in science and society. The synthesis of historical, linguistic, rhetorical, and cultural analysis makes visible certain complex communicative dynamics that could not previously be seen from a single vantage point.
The work presented here reinforces how deep historical examinations of linguistic and rhetorical practices have direct bearing on how and what scholars read and write now. Most significantly, this volume demonstrates how these historical activities need to inform current teaching of and thinking about language.
Book Description
This book presents an introduction to the mechanics, tools, and techniques of television and radio announcing. The book's clear and concise writing style and practical approach have been its consistent strengths and selling points.
Book Description
- This updated bestseller covers programming essentials for the newest version of Java, the popular platform-independent, object-oriented programming language
- The material is fully updated and focuses on the new Java SDK 1.5, addressing the needs of new or inexperienced Java developers
- The fun and easy writing style walks readers through Java syntax basics and helps them write their first program
- Shows readers how to create basic Java objects and figure out when they can reuse existing code
- The new edition is also modified to better address the readers who may have some programming knowledge, but who are new to Java
Customer Reviews:
Humorous, practical and well-oriented.......2007-03-30
This book was the first one I ever read about programming. It launched a whole new world of logical and complex thinking that I could never have understood without the magnificent touch that the author gives us. He applies very simple examples to explain very complex matters about programming instances adding humor and intelligence... what else would you want?
It's simply excellent. 110% recommended.
Java is different from C++, unlike people say.......2006-10-13
This is great book for beginners, and you have to get other one to get to intermediate level. Read it before you get some theoretical book like Eckel's. Good for people who already have idea about what is class, object etc.
a step up.......2005-11-14
I've read a couple of other reviews and would like to clarify something here: In order to completely understand this book, you need to first read Barry Burd's prequel, "Beginning Java Programming for Dummies."
You can read my review and others on that book. It was a breeze. But this review is for Java 2 for Dummies. Although I have learned much from it, it does leave me wondering why he hardly ever references his earlier book. The first review I read gave this book a one-star review. I think it deserves a little more from a perspective of a person that read the earlier book.
If you're considering buying this book and do not own or have ever read Beginning Java Programming for Dummies, then this book is not for you. You must absolutely read that first, because every author and teacher has a different way of teaching.
In this case, it is more difficult because he is entirely bringing up a new subject. He intorduces Java to an absolute beginner like me very well. But the thing is, he does it in his own way. If you learned basic Java from another source, chances are they taught it in another way. You will feel confused because you aren't continuing the flow of his teaching.
Overall, here's what I think of the book.
1)Good-The author continues his prequel, Beginning Programming with Java for Dummies, in an elegant, easy-to-learn way.
2)Bad-He doesn't present it in a way that any beginner Java programmer can pick up on, only for ones who have read the prequel or other similar teachings.
3)Good-He introduces necessary pieces of Java perfect for the intermediate and gives you the skills you need to create simple to more complex programs from web applets to a sophistocated game.
Overall, I would like to give this a 3-star rating, but the content of the book presented in such a way urges me to give it four stars.
Great for Home Schooling Kids on Java 2.......2004-07-24
The book is a great primer for Java 2. Have been using it as a home schooling resource. The concepts are explained clearly, in a manner that teens from age 12 can easily grasp. The humor that peppers the text keeps them looking forward to daily sessions. Chapters and sections are sized so that you can take in a little or a lot at each reading. Coding examples helping to provide templates for your own programs.
We added in some home-grown practice assignments and got teens who were writing programs in a manner of weeks and enjoying it.
In addition, having an email address to send questions to and get quick turnaround responses is a great benefit for learning. Mr. Burd most obviously knows his stuff.
no pain, no gain.......2004-06-17
After reading some of the other reviews of this book, I was quite daunted at the prospect of venturing past chapter 6. Yes, it does get more complicated, but I think it has to. Chapters 1 - 6 are a great introduction to understanding the grammar of the Java language but the author purposely keeps it simple by not developing the Object Oriented concept until the reader has got settled in. He does everything in an old fashioned procedural manner inside the Main method so that the reader learns some basic ideas such as do loops and if statements. If like me you have previous knowledge of a procedural language, chapters 1-6 will definitely seem a breeze compared to the following chapters.
I do agree though that the book could explain some things better. I didn't think the explanation of the importance of accessor methods was very precise, for example. It wasn't until I'd read on in the book that I really understood how they could be used. I found the introduction of getters and setters into all the example programs unnecessary, just serving to confuse the reader and obscure the concepts being demonstrated.
I too had to re-read bits over and over to understand them but I don't consider this a criticism of the book. From my previous aborted efforts to learn Java I already knew what a difficult language it is for a complete newbie to pick up. Having read this book (in two weeks) I now know enough to get me trying out my own code and reading some more advanced books.
As a read, it's quite entertaining. There are jokes along the way and the author is chatty rather than overly dry and technical. I'll definitely take a look at the other Barry Bund Java book in the Dummies series.
Average customer rating:
- Good book in a field that has few of them
- Someone is kidding someone. Guess who is kidding whom?
- Poor dummies book, same thing over and over.
- Here's someone who hopes we're REAL dummies!
- Java 2 Database Programming For Dummies
|
Java 2 Database Programming for Dummies
Jim Keogh
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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| Computers & Internet
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General
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Relational Databases
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Database Design
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General
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Java & Databases
| Databases
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For Dummies: General
| Introductory Guides
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Modeling & Simulation
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Similar Items:
-
Java 2 for Dummies
-
Learn to Program with Java
-
Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
-
Java Database Best Practices
-
Database Programming With Jdbc and Java
ASIN: 0764508814 |
Book Description
Java 2 Database Programming For Dummies shows you how to design, develop, and interact with a database using the Java programming language. This is the perfect book for those who know the basics of Java programming but have little or no experience creating and accessing a database in Java. The companion CD contains the source code for all the code fragments and examples in the book plus powerful tools, applets, drivers, and utilities.
Customer Reviews:
Good book in a field that has few of them.......2005-06-06
This is a pretty good book on Java programming in a field that has few alternatives. I first bought the book Java Database Programming Bible, but it was over my head.
I'm not a professional programmer---I dabble in Java, and Mr. Keough's book was written at a level that a hobbyist can understand.
Some of the other reviewers knocked the book for having a Microsoft bias---but I own a copy of Access, so it made sense for me to have a book that uses Access as the database, not some open source database.
My only knock against the book is that it does have some typos---thank goodness I read the book in conjunction with taking an online class given by Professor John Smiley---his margin notes and explanations, coupled with the great exercises provided by this book, have made me a Java Database programming wiz.
Someone is kidding someone. Guess who is kidding whom?.......2004-10-31
Book is not close to anything worthwhile paying for. This title should be changed to 'Some stuff about databases'. Has a M$ bias as shown by using access as database. Using jdbc to odbc as connection type with little to no examples. If the whole book was a here is how to use java to connect to and use data from a database he 'Jim Keogh' might have produced something worth the title and price. Mr. Keogh is Chair E-Commerce Track of Columbia University? That is scary. This book should be a not thanks I will pass.
Poor dummies book, same thing over and over........2003-11-12
This book has one redeeming fact, it shows you the methods and programming blocks to set up a Java application ready to execute SQL commands, and then it repeats the same thing over and over every chapter for the rest of the book!
If you have knowlede of SQL (which is obvious if you purchased this book) then you only need to read the first few chapters.
I suggest barganing at the local book store for the first few chapters, offer them $5 and you cut the first few chapters out.
Here's someone who hopes we're REAL dummies!.......2003-08-26
Yes, I'd like to get introduced to Java. And to Java with databases. So the reviews of this book look generally good. Yet isn't it strange that just after the book was published three highly possible "it changed my life" or "it saved my behind" reviews were published. All are vague about any details of the book or what it enabled them to do... Notice also how standardized (even carefully lacking typos) those first three reviews are.
Finally we get a fourth review where someone tells how unsatisfactory the book's composition is for someone actually trying to work with databases.
I've read thousands of Amz reviews over the years and seen a lot of axes to grind, but seldom do I see such transparent "plants" providing reviews.
Interestingly, my bee ess detectors were on high alert before reading these reviews because I had just looked at Burd's "Java 2 for Dummies" -- and seen a similar pattern (the positive reviews are not all clumped in the beginning, but they are cookie cutter-like similar in style and VAGUE in their positivity). Please forgive my suspiciousness, but you may want to consider seeing a real world hard copy of this book at a store before you pull out your plastic. I sure will.
Java 2 Database Programming For Dummies.......2001-11-30
This book has devoted two-third of the coverage to explain what is a database, types, conditional operator and so on. Readers would be benefit if they are not familiar with writing or understanding basic SQL statements. For those readers who are from SQL programming background, this book offers very little insight knowledge of how the java interact with the database such as passing binding variables. Most regretably, the majority of examples that author tries to demonstrate how the java interact with the database are unrealistic such as creating, dropping table using static SQL statment wrapped in java code.
Average customer rating:
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Java 2 Fur Dummies
Barry Burd
Manufacturer: Wiley-VCH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Java
| Programming
| Computers & Internet
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General
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German
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
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Nonfiction
| German
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
All German Books
| German
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
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ASIN: 3527701745 |
Average customer rating:
- Not a good book for beginners.....
- Tries to be too advanced for a Dummies book.
- Finally, the answer to learningý
- Not helpful for beginners
- Not helpful for beginners
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Java 2 Programming for Dummies Deluxe Compiler Kit
Donald J. Koosis , and
David Koosis
Manufacturer: Hungry Minds
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Java
| Programming
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General
| Languages & Tools
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For Dummies: General
| Introductory Guides
| Software
| Computers & Internet
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General
| Programming
| Web Development
| Computers & Internet
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General
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ASIN: 0764580507 |
Customer Reviews:
Not a good book for beginners............2001-05-15
I am an IT instructor for a community college in the area. I usually research various textbooks, and I recommend supplemental textbooks to my students to assist them with their learning. I purchased "Java 2 Programming for Dummies", figuring that this would be a great book to help a student with very little programming experience (the Computer Technology programs at the college start out with Java Applet and HTML Programming). IMO, the book was very difficult to follow. The code examples in the text were incomplete, and the text did not explain certain elements of the language very well. For example, when the book was explaining object-oriented programming, the book used a cartoon to explain the concept (which is fine), but the book did not do a good job with translating the concept in Java.
Also, it is not indicated clearly in the book that the student needs to follow along with the CD in order to see the completed coding examples.
To make sure that it wasn't "just me", I had the department head, who is very experienced with Java, review the book, and he agreed with my assessment that this book would confuse the beginner.
Tries to be too advanced for a Dummies book........2000-11-04
I noticed the other reviews agree with me; absolute beginners hate this book, but professional programmers find it helpful. The author seems intent on describing "real" applications, but wants to keep the book brief; around the size you'd expect a Dummies book to be. As a result, the author has to be too brief when explaining Java basics; hence the bad reviews given by beginning programmers. However, if you're a professional programmer the brief explanations are enough to get you going, and the "real" programs are much more illuminating then what is usually seen in programming books. Personally, I would have written two Dummies books; one for the absolute beginner, and a second book for graduates of that book and more advanced programmers (kind of like the Core Java books).
Finally, the answer to learningý.......2000-08-09
As a programmer of basic basic, assembly language, c, visual basic and designer of web pages I am always confronted by that horror of horror - new technology. All the learning, the jargon, the procedures and the syntax becomes a very weighty burden to over come. In this case, Java, the language of the Internet and the future language of desktops. Dutifully committed, it began with the reference books, the ultimate books - all the books that shout out, "buy me, and buy me if you want to learn Java!" so I went through Amazon, the darling of the Internet and books galore on the subject and bought these expensive, so call complete text and reference books. Additionally, I purchased a book from Borders, (don't tell Amazon) a bright yellow book called Java Programmer with the Deluxe Borland Compiler. Now mind you I am an expert in designing and I had this built in reservations about the dummies books. "Who are these people writing about such complex subjects?" "I wont dream of reading them" on and on I thought what an insult to the profession if I bought such books. Anyway, needing a compiler, I purchased the package. Anyway, to keep a long story, long, (I like to talk and write) I plowed through the books for professionals and immediately got bogged down in history, in theory and in the complex way they presented the material. But I thought to myself, this is the price you pay for learning new technology. One day, I was browsing through my wonderful collection of Java books and picked up the Java book for dummies, (I had removed the Borland compiler from it previously and cast that yellow book back on the shelve to collect dust.). well to keep a long story shorter, I will simply say the following: 1. The Java for dummies book open up a new approach in leaning languages. 2. D and D Koosis, authors of the book, have made a complex subject easy to understand. 3. They keep to the essentials without losing the details needed to understand the subject. 4. They have designed a book that is entertaining while you are learning. 5. While the history, the evolution, the theory behind the door is important, eventually, it is not needed to get you on aboard and begin programming in Java. 6. They have written the most easy to understand a section on oop using Java as an example that is the best in the field if you want to understand the concept. 7. I have begun using applets in my web sites rather than script basic, based on its characteristics.
8. My dummies book, Java programming for dummies with the Borland compiler now rests on top of the other Java books, which are now collecting dust because of neglect. Meanwhile the Java for dummies book is torn, marked up, coffee stains and in constant use for reference. 9. Also get this, the Borland Java complier is cost into the book and a hell of a lot less expensive than purchasing it as a stand along. 10. For those wanting to get in contact with me, its jjp2@email.msn.com or to get in touch with the experts, tis on the Dummies web site, under their name. John
Not helpful for beginners.......2000-05-27
I am pretty insulted that I bought a "Dummies" book, and had trouble following it. I got to chapter 5 and quit reading. This book starts off stepping through code examples, glossing over concepts such as methods, classes, and constructers, and then doesn't explain these concepts in detail until later chapters. It seems that the chapters could have been arranged better. I don't recommend this book to beginner Java programmers.
Not helpful for beginners.......2000-05-27
I am pretty insulted that I bought a "Dummies" book, and had trouble following it. I got to chapter 5 and quit reading. This book starts off stepping through code examples, glossing over concepts such as methods, classes, and constructers, and then doesn't explain these concepts in detail until later chapters. It seems that the chapters could have been arranged better. I don't recommend this book to beginner Java programmers.
Average customer rating:
- Great Book for People New to Java or Programming
- Great Books
- Spend the money, and buy another book!
- For "REAL" dummies only!
- Java 2 For You
|
Java 2 Toolkit for Dummies
David Koosis , and
Aaron E. Walsh
Manufacturer: Hungry Minds
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Java
| Programming
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Programming
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Languages & Tools
| Programming
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
For Dummies: Applications
| Introductory Guides
| Software
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Software
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0764505742 |
Customer Reviews:
Great Book for People New to Java or Programming.......2002-10-27
I have some experience with programming (from school and from a few programs back in the 80s and early 90s.) but did not have any object oriented programming experience. This book brings you up to speed on OOP and teaches Java at a very basic level. I was able to skim through the sections that were too basic and learn what I needed to learn. Lots of great utilities on the CDs. You don't have to shop around -- one set of books and software will get you started. If you like Java programming, you can move onto other tools or get the professional versions of the software provided. Great package for the beginner or for a refresher!
Great Books.......2002-06-08
Comes with 2 books and 2 CD-Roms. It is so easy to understand. Overall, 2 great books, and 2 great CDs.
Spend the money, and buy another book!.......2002-05-20
This book is honestly the worst programming book I have ever read in my entire life. I've been programming with other languages for years, and never have I had a more horrible experience learning from a book. I thought that being a "Dummy Book" that it would be easy, but I was wrong. The author makes it hard to understand...And the REAL kicker is that the example code included on the CD ROM for the book, does not even match the code that is in the book! Some of the code that is written in the book will not even compile with out errors. Please, do yourself a favor, and do not buy this book.
For "REAL" dummies only!.......2001-01-29
Most of the information contained in the book can be located online for FREE! Don't waste your money, instead learn how to search the net for programming tips and tutorials.
Java 2 For You.......2000-06-16
Java 2 Toolkit was a good book it really helped me out. I learned all I know about Java.
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