i'm new to making web sites and I'm making my first one using html. Is there a good book to read to learn more?

You can learn a lot by just visiting forums. Ask ??????? and read, read and read more.

A really nice free html editor that helps you learn as you is Eversoft 1st page 2000. This is the one I like.

google "learn html" and you will find a wealth of information on the subject

I would strongly suggest getting your hands dirty with Dreamweaver it makes things so much easier.

There's no substitute for taking the time to learn at least the basics of html in notepad before playing around with a program that does it for you. As dcristo said, a simple search would serve you well, also htmlgoodies.com isn't a bad place to start.

I went to that htmlgoodies.com place a few times very cool i'm finally getting somewhere.

Whereas I would say run a mile from Dreamweaver because the underlying code is shocking!

Sarah, what's "shocking" about the underlying code in dreamweaver? From here, bloated yes, shocking no.

BTW, your avatar is looking pretty good. Ever had the desire to hang out with an bespecled skeletal chain smoker? Wink, wink

bloated, inefficient, easy to break, unwieldly to edit, and SEO unfriendly.

or am I just easily shocked?

I disagree with the seo friendly piece, it's as friendly as you make it and the editing is a snap that's why so many use it.

Now, back to your avatar.