http://www.amazon.com/Options-Futures-Other-Derivatives-5th/dp/0130090565 http://www.amazon.com/Options-Futures-Other-Derivatives-5th/... http://www.amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Options-Futures-Other-Derivatives-5th/dp/0130090565 http://www.amazon.com/Options-Futures-Other-Derivatives-5th/... http://www.amazon.com/Investments-Zvi-Bodie/dp/007293414X http://www.amazon.com/Investments-Zvi-Bodie/dp/007293414X are both very good general resources. Investments is a very broad approach that covers a lot of markets and basics and how things work. Very accessible to complete beginners. The Hull is an introductory text and a great reference source to keep handy. You'll need to be slightly mathy to get it, but I suspect most HN readers will feel at home.