The Triathlete's Training Bible and any other books

Here is my 02. regarding swimming , cycling, and books/material.

Take a look at the Total Immersion book and DVD. Even if you are a good swimmer, it may help you streamline your techniques. I mentioned in other posts that my local YMCA has a US Certified Swimming coach that specializes in tri swimming. There are other US Swim coaches there as well. Cost is around $18 for for a 30 minute session. Worth it too me once a week for a month or so if it is affordable. Heck, even twice a month and practice. Check your local YMCA.

Swimming at the beach with lifeguards training is another way to go for OWS.
It is just a matter of asking. We, family and friends, did it as kids in a group for years.

If you follow any of the BT training programs, they are straight forward in regards to everything. So, the cycling program will be self-explanatory... time &/or distance, rpms, intervals,  etc. same with swimming and running.

Same with  books.The majority are straight forward with some variation. I would go to the library since it is free. I fancy the bookstore since they have more and I can read  all the books at once. In turn, I purchase 1 or 2 that interest me.

If you like fellowship and plenty of face to face training and advice, see if there a local tri-club or road bike club in your area.

I am a book person. However, everything that has been written in the majority of books that are on the shelf is on this site and others. 

Best of Luck

The Triathlete's Training Bible is good for overall training strategy and periodization principles, but doesn't get too deep into technique if that's what you're looking for.

Total Immersion is very helpful, but I'd suggest getting a copy of the accompanying DVD as the descriptions & line drawings of the drills in the book can be somewhat confusing.  They make a lot more sense once you watch the video.

If you're new to swimming and cycling, I'd recommend having a coach or some accomplished swimmers/cyclists help you with your technique so you don't end up reinforcing bad habits when you train.  It's hard to objectively critique your own technique when you're first starting out.  

Welcome to BT and good luck. 

Mark

IMO *I* would definitely avoid the triathlete training bible and instead buy Scientific training for triathletes by Philip Skibba. TTB contains some irrelevant info for beginners IMO and it also provide inaccurate info or coined terms (i.e. AeT).

 I actually read TI prior to attending Combat Diver school in the Army but did not see the DVD. I will definitely be checking out all the suggestions given here.

 I have always been a good runner but with all the weight gain have been getting a lot of shin splints lately, I will attribute that to the extra weight and probably the shoes. I have decided to hit the stationary bike 3X a week for a while to drop some lbs before trying to run again.

Thank you all for the advise and keep um coming. Looks like a trip to the bookstore is in order.