Get Perry's Book, The Definitive Guide to Google AdWords http://www.perrymarshall.com/adwords/index080910.htm
Yeah, don't pay for it because then you'll save time, learn more quickly and who knows, you may actually profit sooner. Or you could spend all your time sorting through all the good and bad information that's out there.
Go to Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com to check out all the highest-rated books. Then call your local bookstore to see if they carry them. If not, order them. When they come in grab a seat somewhere and leaf through them. If they are good, buy them. If not, don't. You just saved you some money.