Ah, yes, I've got a bookshelf sagging in the middle as well. I thought of the question when trying to decide which had helped me more as both had SO much. The Cookbook was instructive just from seeing so much clean, targeted code and the Camel (I agree the 3rd ed is mas bestes) from the range and depth. Have to put a gun to my head to make me choose, I think. The Cookbook might win b/c I learn better from example than explanation; and the joy of sitting down and coding something that works immediately is nice instant feedback. But the further I get, the more interesting the whys become.