in reply to Are there any Java texts assuming the user has a perl BG?
I don't know of a book that is specifically geared towards folks with a Perl background either--and I looked, but in the end what I found useful were books that presupposed a programming background (but not necessarily in a particular language such as c++).
there's a book called _a programmer's guide to java certification_ from addison-wesley which, while obviously bent towards passing the cert exam, i thought it was pretty good at explaining core concepts without being too pokey.
but as a previous poster suggested, i would look at thinking in java--it's available online for free--so you really can't go too wrong there.
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