Excellent beginners photography book. Well worth the $11. Free shipping. $14
on Amazon
Link: http://www.buy.com/prod/understanding-exposure/q/loc/106/listin
Alternatively here's a free online photography tutorial site: http://goingmanual.com
with downloadable PDF version.
Both will help those of you buying a DSLR, SLR or any type of camera with
manual or semi auto settings.