Anything by Nicholas Lodge or Alan Dunn.
Theresa 
I have learned vast amounts from this incredible artist:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0952584816/?tag=cakecentral-20
Her work is easy to understand and much of it was translated into the basket shown in my avatar.
There are vast amounts of artists more famous, but I found this book to be really user friendly and great for a beginner to start with.
Anything by Nicholas Lodge or Alan Dunn.
Theresa
AMEN!
However, those aren't really beginner books. You really should be familiar with making some gumpaste flowers because their instructions (I have all of both of those artists' books) are written for those with experience, in my opinion.
They are indisputably masters of the art of gumpaste flowers, though!
If you are a beginner, buy a Nicholas Lodge DVD, which will be about the same price as a hardback book. It is well worth it! And then take any of Nick's classes that you can. He is fantastic.
Which of Nick Lodge's books or cds best explains how to wrap the wires together once you have the petals and leaves made?
My floral tape wrapping is so clumsy looking.
All of them show detailed assembly, so just chose the flower you are most interested in. Each DVD covers two or more flowers. He almost always cuts floral tape in either half , thirds, or even quarters to reduce the bulk and make it smoooooooooth. He uses the CelCakes Celshredder to evenly split the tape.
http://www.globalsugarart.com/product.php?id=16814
The price of the shredder sent me into apoplectic seizure LOL, so I tried the JEM one. Not so good.......
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