Check the official Java tutorial from Sun:
http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/

Moshe

There's really no substitute for getting your hands dirty.

Download the SDK from Sun and mess with it.  You'll also find the API
documentation there.

Also, don't try to eat the elephant in one bite.  Learn the language,
then work on all of the nuances and extentions (e.g. j2ee, struts,
etc).  It's going to take time.  How much time it takes will depend on
you.

"Java is a simple language." (from 'Java in a Nutshell', page 5).  

Bullshit!

I like to get a book and read it in bed with the radio set to classical or
new age
music, some milk and cookies with the cream filling,
but new age is so hard to find these days on the radio.
I started with one of the "in 21 days" books and it was pretty good. You
can highlight whatever you want. Actually trying the examples helps quite a
bit
to get the feel of how things work.
Good luck...