+1 for Beekeeping for Dummies
I've read more than a few beekeeping books and this I think is the best first book to pick up.
On the resources page on my Blog (see sig) I have reviewed a few books, including Dummies. But of them, as well as a few I have read since (The Backyard Beekeper, Beekeepers Bible, and The Complete Idiot's Guide), I'd still recommend Dummies as the first read.