Just on more book I'd like to mention is the photoshop book in the "visual" series. I don't have the books handy but I remember it is visual something. They are illustrated by a family of 4, and they chose the authors for each topic.
They also have a great series of books that really lead you by the hand and are very graphic. Great for a first book, but they lack the depth and reference capability that the Peachpit books have.
My recomendation: By the "visual" book to give you a good clear run through, then rip through the Peachpit book to fill in the details. The Peachpit book covers every thing in the photoshop menus one by one. Both books are reasonably priced, by the way. I don't like Sams or Friends of Ed.
Love that Sandee too, eh? The first one I read was the InDesign book. When I heard she had a book on Freehand, I couldn't wait to read it. I had to special order it too. Sandee has no books on photoshop though. I checked her out here:
http://www.creativepro.com/author/home/25.html
peace...Paul