Any of the Visual Start or Teach Yourself in 24hrs type books are good for beginning in PS. They are basically the manual with a lot more pictures ;)

The "24hr" book lets you "build" on each chapter. This is great if you're starting out and want to learn the program but it's not so great if you jump around or are looking for a specific effect or method.

there's also the forum here... we're usually pretty "pleasent" and rather helpful...

just pop-in with a question if there is something you don't understand in either the manual, or any book and we'll do our best to decifer it for you.

:)
retrocity

p.s. nice to have you around forum, stop by any time, we're always open!