The Guitarist's Music Theory Book
932176
This is an excellent first look at the concepts of chromatic, major, minor and pentatonic scales, major and minor chords, chords within a key, and basic chord progressions. Fretboard and chord charts are used throughout. I read this without access to the CD.
3549506
I like this book because it is really comprehensive, it has given me new tools to play and expanded my knowledge of scales and chord progression. However sometimes when explaining the theory, it obviates basic concepts like an interval of a third, or some basic theory like the distance between a I, IV and a V in the diatonic scale and in the fretboard. For non musicians it might take a little while to understand the fretboard and the scale system. The arrow system used with the 'caged' scales is also very complicated and it took me more than it should to understand the turnarounds. Overall it is a great book and I recommend it provided that you have some basic knowledge or you complement it with music theory.
2077678
The book is great for a beginner, and also one who has not played the guitar for a couple of years.
1948475
This is a great book for beginning (and more advanced) guitarists.  I have had a copy of it for many, many (like 50) years.  I bought this copy to give to a friend who is just starting out playing, and he was very happy to have it.
4236317
There are many good book on guitar theory, but I have found this one to be the best book.  I highly reccomend it.  Unlock your guitar playing.
2007496
Great book. My theory professor recommended it. It gives a great overview of everything you need to know about Western music. The layout of the pages enables for easy reading, such as the timelines and short composer bios. Probably the most underrated part of the book is the recommended reading section in the back. The book offers more specific texts for certain topics, which is tremendously helpful. I would say that this is a must have for serious musicians. Every serious musician should at least have it on their bookshelf to reference to.
2170006
I have been going through the book over the last week as an extra means of getting my playing back to where it used to be after a short vacation from lead guitar. I am only a few chapters in, but I have already found a few exercises that I will be using in my practice sessions and expect much more to come the deeper I get into this book. Everything is very well written and easy to understand. I know in the short areas I have covered, my timing has already caught back up quickly and my phrasing is becoming more fluid again.

Edit: After working through the book I definitely enjoyed it and found it greatly worked the rust off on my timings. The author does a great job explaining each chapter and even gives great advice on how to practice and dissect each example. The book covers everything from basic rhythms to more odd meter timing, phrasing ideas, song sections, and more.  The appendix of the book also includes some great information about patterns to use for finding notes on the neck, and scale patterns based on the CAGED system.

If you find those useful, as I did, you should pick up Barrett Tagliarino's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Guitar-Fretboard-Workbook/dp/0634049011/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Guitar Fretboard Workbook</a>. It really opened my eyes on some concepts of music theory that helped me get a firmer grasp than I ever had. His method of teaching is one that I find very easy to follow and learn from.
2913517
I have several of his books. You can buy just one of his and stay with it as there is always a lot of information. I  tend to jump from book to book and get nuggets from each. I have a thick head when it comes to music theory but he seems to be getting some of it into my brain. His songs are easier to play along than some that use delay if you are following the tablature. Detailed in that he shows you the up and downs of striking the notes.
2938585
This book is great! I already had a decent knowledge of basic theory before I got this book, that wasn't the purpose I purchased it. I got it to work on sweeps and my speed and, however, knowing the theory behind what I'm doing is great knowledge and really does help me understand why certain things work with certain backings and such. This book totally satisfied my hunger for more knowledge of guitar. It really does help a lot. In my spare time, I read and practice what's in the book, it is a great guide to becoming a shredder. I totally recommend this book!
2976510
As someone else mentioned, it's not a beginner book, it's a "guitar theory" book. The author has written another book called "Playing the guitar' which is probably a better option if you're not 100% comfortable with barre chords or you don't know the basics open chords.

If you've already been playing for a few years this is probably one of the best book about music theory applied to guitar you could buy. Finding intervals, building chords, the CAGED system, chords progressions, modes, lots of things I've been struggling with for a long time are tackled in a straightforward and efficient style.
139928
Andy Volk has authored the definitive book about lap-style and console steel guitar. Simply titled "Lap Steel Guitar", this book includes interviews with, and profiles of, more than 35 of the greatest electric & acoustic steel guitarists of the past and present in the Hawaiian, Country, Western Swing, American Roots, Cajun, Sacred, Rock & Roll, and World Music idioms as well as 40 color pages containing photographs of some of the most desired vintage steel guitars and new instruments from many of the best contemporary builders, as well as comprehensive information about steel guitar tunings.
It's a deep book with a lot of useful information, beautifully laid out and well organized. It contains great interviews with famous and obscure musicians, all of whom should be better known thanks to this book.
Andy's book deserves to be up there with Lorene Ruymar's as a standard reference for steel guitarists. The two books compliment each other well and are a must-have for every steel player's library.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the non-pedal steel guitar.
839717
The author does an excellent job presenting the material in a logical manner. I would recommend purchasing the DVD 's that go with the book. It's like having your own private teacher. You learn at your own pace. Seems really put the fun into playing the guitar. Also recommend buying a boss  rc-3 looper ,it's like having someone to jam with.
4147635
Althousgh some of the examples and harmony are a little bit old fashional, this books help me a lot in working without the bass and look oiver the freatbord without be afraid or lost in the upper register of the guitar. The arrangments are carefully prepared and at the same time are very musical. This is a great book, to look at the guitar in a different way with comping style in modern jazz( but not contemporany).
4951719
I'm really satisfied with this book.  I bought it because a friend told me it was easy to follow.  Turns out though that the book my friend had purchased was his other book, Fifty Easy Classical Guitar Solos.  I went ahead and ordered that one as well.
2065916
If you want to learn Jazz Guitar without all the 'fluff' that usually goes along with it, this is the book for you. There's enough theory, however, it doesn't overwelm the guitarist, therefore the ability to continue with the book in a practical and successful manner. Whether you want to increase your knowledge of chords/chord theory, or enhance your study of different guitar styles, this will aid you in a basic, but solid foundation in the practical approach to jazz and its relevance to guitar.
4829635
Good book!! Lots of great examples. Good explanations. He offers a logical progression thru the material.

The cd is well recorded and fun to play along with. There are no "full" arrangements, but contains segments to
  play fills/solos along to.

The only small minus is the last section of the book he covers many different styles of songs slow,fast,latin,funk,medium
 etc in which he gives written explanations as to what the band is playing , how he is interperting it, and written out form.
It would of been nice to see the snippet of what the chart looked like also. Only minus in entire book.
4551174
Excellent book for the serious guitar maker.  Per my husband best explanation of guitar theory he has seen.  He has read from cover to cover since receiving as his Fathers Day gift!