If you're just starting out with Drupal, this book is an excellent introduction that will help you get up and running more quickly. Written for beginners, it gives a nice overview of what Drupal is capable of and step-by-step instructions for setting up a basic installation. Especially well-suited for people who have never used a CMS before.
Drupal: Creating Blogs, Forums, Portals, and Community Websites by David Mercer
