Comment Make: Electronics from O'Reilly (Score 1) 301
If you want to get started with basic electronics I highly recommend the Make: Electronics book from O'Reilly. It's just the right blend of theory with hands-on (or tongue-on practice as in the intro chapters on electricity!) Plus you get to have all sorts of fun ordering random parts from Jameco and Digikey.
If you go this route I highly recommend ordering the resistor intro pack and storage case from Jameco.
Have fun!
Neil