Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Second Edition pulls UNIX and Linux from the realm of unknown into the realm of career-enhancing opportunities. Learning is reinforced through clear language, extensive hands-on practice, and many practical examples that give students cutting-edge skills. Step-by-step, students master the fundamentals of UNIX and Linux, including a full range of commands. Students learn the intricacies of writing scripts, creating C and C++ programs, and developing Perl and CGI scripts for interactive Web pages. Plus, there's an entire chapter devoted to the X Window graphical interface and desktops such as GNOME, as well as GNOME applications.
This book will teach you the basics of maneuvering around the shell and some basic shell programming, but it does so using very narrow examples that you have to follow along with quite dogmatically, rather than giving you the tools that help build your confidence. Also, some of the examples are just plain incorrect which is frustrating. I'm certain there are better texts out there.