If you are totally new to machining and wish to learn the basic concepts of metal working, how it cuts, how lathes, mills, drill presses, etc., all work and the basics of how to perform operations on those machines, I highly recommend "Machine Shop Practice" Volumes 1 and 2, by Karl Hans Moltrecht and were published in 1981. Both volumes are available from Enco as well as some other sources. I have a set of these and they are an excellent starting reference as well as a good review for the more experienced machinist.
Volume 1 covers the following: Basic metal cutting, Basic Measuring, Layout Work, Drilling Machines, Twist Drills, Lathes, Single point cutting tools, Cylindrical turning, chucking work, taper and angle turning, faceplate work, screw threads and measurements, cutting screws, turret lathes, production lathes, vertical lathes, precision hole location, jig boring machines, metal cutting saws.
Volume 2 covers: Shaper construction and shaper work, Planers and planer work, milling cutters, milling machine operations, indexing, dividing head work, surface grinding, cutter and tool grinding, numerical controlled machines, and surface plate work.
Another good set for beginners that is also available from Enco is the "Machine Shop Training Course" by Franklin D. Jones. This two volume set dates back to the mid 1960's but is still a good resource. I do not have any first hand experience with this set, but I suspect that it is every bit as good as the Moltrecht set above.
Volume 1: Principles of metal cutting, lathe operations, single point form tools and tool grinding, speeds and feeds principles, cooling and lubrication, screw threads, turret lathes, vertical boring and turning machines, drilling and reaming holes, spacing and locating holes, cylinder boring, jig boring, measuring instruments, gage blocks, generating surfaces and angles, blueprint reading, and shop safety.
Volume 2: Tapping, dies, milling and grinding screw threads, rolling processes, planning processes; milling flat, curved, and irregular surfaces; indexing; cutting spur and bevel gears; grinding cylindrical and tapered parts; grinding milling cutters and reamers; lapping; broaching internal and external surfaces; chipping, filing and scraping; tool steels for metal cutting; heat treatment of steels; numerical controls.