Khatruman
My highest kudos to The Forest of Souls for helping me break out of the "this card means...., that card means....." box. Most people recommend this to more advanced studiers, and I agree that you probably should slog through some historical material first to get a background. However, I recommend staying away from books that want you to memorize cookie cutter meanings for the cards.
As far as a beginner's book, Mary Greer's Tarot for Your Self is good when it gives you workbook exercises to do in order to develop your own intuitions about the cards.
As far as a beginner's book, Mary Greer's Tarot for Your Self is good when it gives you workbook exercises to do in order to develop your own intuitions about the cards.