Sams teach yourself php, mysql and apache in 24 hours is good too(really useful for learning the database side of things). I started with PHP and MySQL web development by Welling and Thomson- it's excellent.
Sometimes, when my code just won't behave, I take it outside and make it listen to britney spears music, and when it comes back it's really well behaved. I wonder if it's suffering from post tramatic stress syndrome now..