If you're serious about investing for the long term, the best books for beginners are both by Benjamin Graham
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Graham.
The Intelligent Investor -
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/det...ks&n=507846
and
Security Analysis -
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/det...ks&n=507846
If you want to play the stock market like a game of bingo (trading), check out the link mowz gave above.