I want to share my experience with the excellent book Core Java- An Integrated approach by R.Nageswara Rao.
I have studied this book deeply and though I have a conclusion that the readability level of this book is excellent.
It proved to be helpful to me as it covers all the basic concepts about arrays, pointers and a quite brief introduction about the history and popularity of Java.
It explains every concept of Java with very very easy and simple example which is quite easy to understand.
When I was doing coaching for Core Java, this bookwas suggested to me by my coaching teacher and I had a great experience while going through it.
I would recommend others also to learn Java from this book.