"Building Bicycle Wheels" is an excellent book for one's first wheel. Robert Wright uses plain English, simple terms and does a good job of demystifying wheelbuilding. He is as straightforward in real life. Also an excellent wheelbuilder. (I say this in present tense. I knew him 40 years ago. He doesn't blow his own horn. I knew from others he built good wheels. Had no idea he'd published a book two years before.)