Know nothing about Buddhism but I'd like to learn about

>>8927879
What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula for a proper introduction to the core beliefs from a perspective within the religion.

The Foundations of Buddhism by Rupert Gethin for a more historical overview written by a sympathetic western academic.

Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante G if you're looking to begin a practice.

Or dig straight in the Dhammapada if you want to read directly what the Buddha purportedly said. Alternatively there's a nice anthology from Oxford called Saying of the Buddha translated by Rupert Gethin which has a more varied selection of teachings from the massive Pali Canon.

If you're more interested in, for example, Zen or Tibetan flavours of Buddhism I would reccommend the Rupert Gethin Foundations of Buddhism as a jumping off point as it briefly covers both the core doctrine and some sectarian beliefs.

>>8928248
definitely start with What The Buddha Taught but In the Buddha's Words is also a great beginner book to introduce you to Buddhism. Might want to read both

when interested in Zen I will also recommend reading the Daodejing since Chan/Zen has been influenced by it after all and then you might want to follow that up with Transmission of Light by Zen Master Keizan

>>8927879
read Imperial-way Zen

>>8928260
oh and if you're interested in delving into the actual suttas http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ will be your best friend

but I'd recommend What The Buddha Taught above all else

>>8928268
sorry I meant Zen at War

>>8928260
>but In the Buddha's Words is also a great beginner book to introduce you to Buddhism
Yep, another great anthology comparable to Gethin's Sayings of the Buddha but translated by a very well respected monk, not a western academic. A minor point because both are very good, modern translations but In the Buddha's Words is often recommended by people within Buddhism because it is translated by a monk who is supposedly more suitable from brining out religious, doctrinal subtleties than an academic.

Either (or both) are entirely serviceable beginner anthologies but I'd probably hold off from reading them until you've got an introductory text under your belt. You want to have a grasp on the basics before tackling the style and subtlety of the actual Nikayas.