Best book on new home construction

I'm building a small beach house.  Could anyone recommend a current (up to date on technologies like pex plumbing tubing, etc.) book that covers all aspects of home construction in a simple step by step format.  Lots of pictures would also help, I'm a visual learner.  

Thanks,

I can't recommend any specific books, but the large home improvement outlets usually has a rack in the front of the store, and one back near the lumber section, that have quite a variety of DIY topics.

There are many aspect to building a house, from concrete work for foundations to the many differing styles of roofing you could install. I'll recommend you get specific books for each aspect. For a good over view, Habitat for Humanity: How to Build a House by Larry Haun. Taunton's for Pros By Pros: Foundations and Concrete Work Framing a House by Roe Osborn, Roof Cutters Secrets: To Framing the Custom Home by Will Holladay, Taunton's for Pros By Pros: Roofing, Flashing, & Waterproofing. Ultimate Guide: Plumbing, 3rd edition by Merle Henkenius Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Wiring, 5th Edition Trim Made Simple: A Book and Step-by-Step Companion DVD by Gary Katz Installing and Hanging Doors by Gary Katz These should give you a pretty good idea of what it will take to build a house, with a bunch of tips and tricks to make it a bit easier.

Either go with existing prints or hire an architect, unless this is so far out in the sticks that obtaining a permit and having to follow building codes doesn't matter.

Thanks putnameco fro recommending so may books. I am sure they will help well and I will also go through them. I enjoy reading and adding a few of these to my collection will help. RTR you could also search for online forums where people have done this kind of work. Try and get in touch with them and a practical experience like that can really help. 

Thanks for the post. i just lok for a book at the bookshop and read some helpful tips.