title_body: Book recommendation: a guide about coffee to a beginner?
upvoted_answer: I recommend Hoffman's "The World Atlas of Coffee." 
   He gives you history, tells you about different methods of brewing, roasting, and teaches about growing and processing as well.  A very well rounded introduction.
  
  The World Atlas of Coffee 
  
  So far as a book focussed more on brewing, I recommend Rao's "The Professional Barista's Handbook."  His blog (also linked below) is also a tremendous source.
  
  The Professional Barista's Handbook