The following is a list and brief description of GIS books that will be of interest to you, as they have been to me.
devise solutions.This 500+ page book comes with hundreds of diagrams, screenshots and maps to guide your way from understanding GIS to using GIS. Included is a CD with the spatial data used in the excercises. However, you must have ArView®, ArcEditor or ArcInfo®9 and the Arview Spatial analyst extension to complete the exercises.
spatial data infrastructure.Masser does an excellent job explaining the history and implementation of various DSIs providing a rock solid foundation for your very own SDI.
Measuring Upis a must-have reference for building your own business case for GIS.
Designing Better MAPS.