Going Long by Joel Friel and Gordon Byrn

I 2nd the motion. Much of the info. is redundant with the Triathlete's Training Bible, but there is great information in both.

I have them both and also "Be Ironfit" by Don Fink...another good read and motivation/training guide!

Ditto! I have Going long, Training bible and I recomend Gale Bernhardt's book.  Training Plans for the multisport athlete..  All kinds and distances.  That is my favorite for shorter distances.

If you had to buy just one of those books and where thinking of doing a 1/2 which would you choose

I have all of the above-mentioned books, but if I had to choose one to rely on for training for a 1/2 I would say Gale Bernhardt's 'Training Plans for Multisport Athletes'.

Going Long is invaluable. Gordo's site also provides more in-depth, up-to-date writings as well. Two thumbs up.

I've read them all, and to me the one that still stands out above all the rest is Dave Scott's Triathlon Training. It was a book ahead of it's time and still stands out against all the rest. having read that, I find a lot of the other books to be redundant and just rephrasing a lot of the same stuff over again.
If you haven't read any other books, Gordo's book is good but I find that after reading Dave Scotts book, Gordo's book lacks meat. Friel's book is also great ((Triathlete's Training Bible) but for myself, even with a masters in Exercise Physiology, I find it a little too overcomplicated and I don't think that training has to be as complicated as he makes it seem. The one knock I have against Dave Scotts book is that I don't agree with his run training part. Coming from a running background myself and having run some decent run times (sub 30 minute 10km on a consistent basis back when all I did was run) I know that his running interval workouts are a bit overblown. I haven't read Don Fink's book so I can't comment on it, but I have heard good things about it and having raced against Don many times I think it would be an interesting read, it is on my must read list when I get the chance to read something next time.