When I first started learning guitar, HL Volume 1 was the book my teacher had me buy. It, too, had the CD, but the examples in the end of the book weren't really much more challenging than the stuff in the beginning. I've looked Volumes 2 and 3 (which comprise this book), and all together they don't cover the same ground that Mel Bay Volume 1 covers (and that has 7 volumes). The page about tuning is nice (but you can find that information anywhere now), and the one-page chord chart has a nice clear layout (even though I disagree with the fingerings for a couple of the chords).

The Mel Bay Method for Modern Guitar is better than this toilet paper in every regard (they also have sidebars explaining assorted things like phrasing techniques, harmonics, etc.). The Berklee Modern Method for Guitar books by Will Leavitt are good too, but don't start day one of learning with them because they're hell without a teacher, and concentrate SO MUCH on reading (which is good if that's where you're deficient).

I bought this book after my guitar teacher suggested it. It is better to get a foundation with this book than to start on the rock songs first. I highly recomend this book for people that are starting to play guitar.

This book is the absolute best book for learning to PLAY guitar. If you don't know anything about guitar maintainence, purchasing advice, and music theory, you need Guitar for Dummies. But if you want to actually start playing guitar you need the best METHOD BOOK you can find. This is that book!

The Hal Leonard system allows players to develop their skills however they choose by putting other genre-specific method books on the table, but it all starts with standard levels 1, 2, and 3. This complete edition has them all, CDs included. (you NEED the CDs, trust me... I recommend playing each exercise until you can play them at CD speed without error before moving on) Hal Leonard's Bass Method Complete Edition works wonders for the aspiring bassist, too!

I bought this in order to learn acoustic guitar, but its so confusing and it does not explain things well enough. It does not explain anything about cleaning and care for your axe, and accessories are absent except for a mention on guitar effects. I would reccomend the Learn Guitar Today by Hal Leonard.