Taylors is a good one and Ortho's All About Orchids was my first book. It was great. A really good (GREAT) Paph book is Lance Birk's Paph Growers Manual.
Someone want to post a quick main page message that lists all these references? I think a reference manual list would be of use to many including newcomers.
Orchids Simplified by Henry Jaworski is a good book and Orchid Growing for Wimps by Ellen Zachos is an excellent book for beginners as it gives a list of easy to grow orchids. The book also has many comparison charts for length of bloom, water requirements, light requirements and that sort of thing so it is much easier to make comparisons over different genera.
Botanica's 1200 is my all time favorite, especially if you're into species. Sue is right it is more of a reference book, but wow ! The spine on mine is breaking down.
I just received a copy of Flora's Orchids. Wow! It is by far the best of the several orchid books I've have. For those that recommended it - Thank you
I agree completely, very beautiful book with good photography and layout. Perhaps a little lean on info, but there's only so much that can fit in a book such as this.
I now have both Flora's Orchids and Botanica's Orchids. Both are excellent, and kind of compliment each other. I believe they will serve me well, as I get more and more involved in the world of orchids.