Wicked Cool Java does a great job at showcasing Java and many open source Java libraries. There is no need to be affraid when I mention Java libraries. Libraries are quite distinct from Frameworks. Wicked Cool Java is a framework free zone ie no overly complex web frameworks. Only “cool Java” examples are included in the areas of the semantic web, science, maths, graphics, data visualization and multimedia. Wicked Cool Java is well written, includes simple illustrative examples and with just 200 pages totally restores the faith in Java. I’ve had such fun building a Genetic algorithm (JGAP), Neural Network (Joone), Network Visualization (JGraph & JGraphT) and a zoomable GUI (Piccolo).