Poker Book for the Beginner (NLHE)

Hi,
I'm looking to purchase a book on NLHE for two friends of mine, both are avid enthusiasts with some experience but might need a bit of help with some of the basics (one being my girlfriend, a real keener, plays alot but hasn't expressed any interest in my NLHE books,.. incidentally, she placed 1st today in a freeroll out of 4,000 entrants, so I wouldn't say she's a complete novice or anything but is probably in need of a good book on the basics).

I read today about one of Lou Krieger's books - 'Hold'em Excellence: From Beginner to Winner (1999)' and was my understanding that it's a good book with a big plus being that the guy is a writer as well as a poker player (some of the poker books aren't written the greatest if you know what I mean).
Have any of you read this book so that I could get some firsthand experience with it?
Anyother suggestions for a starting NLHE player's first read?

Thanks,
Poker Orifice

I started with Winning Low-Limit Hold'em (Paperback) by Lee Jones
but that's Limit.

Based on the description you gave, I'd suggest "Getting Started in Hold'em" by Ed Miller. Don't be fooled by the title, this is an excellent book for someone in the poker position you've described. It does cover the very basics, but there is much more to it than that. I don't think you or she will be disappointed. Oh, and it isn't super heavy on the deep end maths and such, so many people find that a plus if they're not super math oriented.

Obligatory Harrington on Holdem by Dan Harrington.

^^^this. Also see my starting book suggestions here.

Cool,.. very, very helpful.
I myself have read SuperSystem, SKlansky's Theory of Poker, Harrington's books, and a bunch of others,.. even liked Carson's book for a first read myself.
The g/f will really appreciate this info. (so will I so I hopefully won't have to make a deposit to her account, hee hee). Incidentally now, she has cashed over ten times in freerolls now so far in 2008,.. maybe I could learn a thing or two from her? She's also signed up with a poker group now numbering over 48,000 members and is currently ranked in around 600th place in their overall ranking standings (yah,.. I play there too a bit,.. a bit too much lol,.. I'm in 24th overall).
THanks again,.. very cool info.!!! I'm going to go straight out and pick up Gordon's collection myself now, lol.
See Ya, and of course GL