If you've been putting of learning Scala, this three part series by Dean Wampler illustrates the finer points behind the language. Read Part 1 of Dean's 'The Seductions of Scala' http://blog.objectmentor.com/articles/2008/08/03/the-seductions-of-scala-part-i Read Part 2 of Dean's 'The Seductions of Scala' http://blog.objectmentor.com/articles/2008/08/05/the-seductions-of-scala-part-ii-functional-programming Read Part 3 of Dean's 'The Seductions of Scala' http://blog.objectmentor.com/articles/2008/08/14/the-seductions-of-scala-part-iii-concurrent-programming