I am currently reading this it find it most helpful. i have the revised edition. It covers alot of the basics. The only complaint i have is that in this edition the flow is quite broken because the content and pictures (that the content often refer to) are hardly ever on the same page.
I believe i could improve my quality of beginning by reading this. it explains alot of the pros and cons of coal and gas forges and alot of other aspects that are vague at times. all in all I am glad i bought it! all i have to do now is make me a forge.