What was your first chess book?

It was a spanish translation of  "Freude am Schach" by Gerhard Henschel. The spanish title was "Ajedrez para todos"

My first chess book was one that my parents bought me.  THE WORST chess book ever.  I can't remember the title.  I doubt that anyone will find it anywhere, as it was written in "Afrikaans" (my home language).  Basically the book consisted of roughly 50 pages (if it was even that many) of nothingness. It explained the rules (I doubt that the 50-move rule  or 3-fold repetition was even part of the that section), then a bit of opening theory (only 1. e4 as far as I can remember) whisked in with a bit of end game topped off with one or two tactics.

For me, it almost instantly turned this:

into this:

Same.

 +1 for English language books. My first book was in Polish, Battle For The Chess Throne by Gawlikowski. I still have it, and had it binded :

I also have this edition of this book as one of my first couple -- it's absolutely worthless.

I was going to give it to my sister in law who was interested in learning chess, but after reading through it again I decided it would probably do more harm than good.

You need to keep it. Quoting Eminem, "Marshall Matters."

Mine was Chess for Young Beginners by Collins. Lots of pretty pictures. I've still got it.

chess school 1a.  good for absoulute beginners

Common Sense in Chess by Emanuel Lasker.

play better chess by leonard barden have i said this already?

How to win in the chess middle game by IA Horowitz. Covers basic tactical motifs: pins, forks, double attacks etc. A good place to begin.

The Two Knights Defense by Estrin

The Fireside Book of Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld.  I was captivated by its fun combination of whimsical stories, comical art, and serious chess.