I think it depends on what you want to achieve. If you want to design algorithms, and not just reuse an algorithm from a catalog: "Introduction to Algorithms:

I think it depends on what you want to achieve. If you want to design algorithms, and not just reuse an algorithm from a catalog: "Introduction to Algorithms: A Creative Approach: Udi Manber" Is very good. If on the other you;re interested in a an extensive srvey of algo's and data-sturcutres, see"Algorithms and theory of computation handbook", by atallah. It has 2 volumes.