BuddyPress For Dummies

If you've read Lisa's WordPress for Dummies book, you'll be familiar with the style - it's extremely clear in the step-by-step approach to getting an fully-working installation on its feet. The book covers every feature of the BuddyPress platform to the point where many readers won't need to go through every single page, but it also delves into some of the more complicated theme setups and plugins. Another reviewer has pointed out that the content is out of date, but principally this refers to the recent WordPress 3.0 release which integrates the previous WordPress standalone and MU editions. It's not too difficult to see the differences and I wouldn't have thought it's a major barrier in getting your site running. If anything, 3.0 makes some tasks easier in getting BuddyPress working. Overall this is a great central guide for getting started with BuddyPress, and provides all the additional online resources you need to develop beyond the beginner stage.