Hi,
I bought a copy of Claire Crompton's book "The Knitter's Bible" quite recently and I think it'd be an excellent reference for someone who is just getting started. It's a modern publication and is fully illustrated throughout with clear pictures.
Another very very good one is "Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book" which is also a techniques manual. You'll need a techniques manual anyway. Both books have some nice pattern project sections but of the two I think the Vogue one is better.
Ann Budd's "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns" isn't for the complete beginner but it has one of the best selections of patterns for basic designs that I've seen, and it covers mittens, gloves, scarves, sweaters, hats and socks so you've got just about everything you would need for some time.
I don't really have a knitting magazine on my list that I'd recommend for a complete beginner because a lot of them do tend to contain pattern errors which is something a beginner wouldn't know how to interpret or fix for themselves. I do however quite like the UK magazines "Simply Knitting" and "Knitting", and if you're in the States you should look at the Interweave knitting magazines which are excellent.
