This is probably the best book on Enterprise Java Messaging. If that is what you desire.

This is not an easy book. I read it all, but I think to actually start implementing based on the patterns, I would have to reread portions of it. This book is loaded with patterns, some small, some larger. And it is a lot to absorb.

The only downside, for me at least, is that I have not worked on a messaging system before. It’s hard to put the information from this book into context.

If you’re working with JMS and Java messaging, you must read this book. On the other hand, if you’re just looking for enterprise patterns, like I was, I think there are other, more applicable books.