Rating: 

Each chapters aims to be both a short tutorial to the topic containing the most important details. It isn't a complete reference because it is a nutshell, but the chapters still serve as a reference for common tasks. The appendencies contain a more detailed reference on certain topics, such as EJB-QL.

The authors are good about walking you through configuration files and the steps to do common tasks. Conceptual topics and terminology are also included, such as the servlet lifecycle and J2EE security. There are many code examples throughout. In addition to noting best practices, the authors explain when techniques are debated among developers.

The book moves at a fast pace for beginners, but I recommend it for any experienced developers who want a tutorial on different technologies. The only downside is that so many topics are covered, the book can't go into enough depth on each one.