Java Programming help

[VDUB19]

I'm a college student, and i was looking into java programming as a hobby. I've been looking online for different tutorials and help guides but it is all very overwhelming. I was just wondering if anyone knew of a book/website that gave a step by step for beginners. like start you off with a background of java then slowly get more advanced.

any help is appreciated

[lee1210]

I learned from:
Java in a Nutshell
http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596007737/
(though an older edition)

Learning Java
http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596008734/
is also good.

Rarely has an O'Reilly text disappointed me. Java in a Nutshell was also used in the first CS course I took.

-Lee