I have all the books you mention except Bread Alone, but if I had to pick just one it would be Bread: A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes, by Jeffrey Hamelman. It is geared towards both professional and home bakers, and has more information on the nuts and bolts of baking good bread than any book I have encountered. Not really for beginners, but the information is quite accessible. There are tons of formulas too.

Susanfnp

http://www.wildyeastblog.com

Based on what I've read here, I just ordered the following:

Bread Baker's Apprentice - Peter Reinhart

Bread: A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes - Jeffrey Hamelman

Artisan Baking - Maggie Glezer

and I think I may have gotten this title confused with another by the same name, different author: The Bread Bible - Rose Levy Beranbaum. That one may not be as useful but the three above have gotten very good recommendations on this site.

Your first choice is a good one.  But if you're interested in whole grains (I'm putting my electric mill and my grain stash to good use and good health) you might consider Reinhart's latest book.  One thing I like about Reinhart is that, after explaining the science, he reminds you that you still have tremendous leeway.

Rosalie

Maybe check out a couple of them from the library, or browse through them at the bookstore?

I think you'd probably love BBA though!

Peter Reinhart's The Bread Bakers Apprentice. Inspiring and educational photos, instructions in laymen's language, great formulas for the beginner and pro.

This is the book that got me into bread baking...it is full of easy to read information and great recipes.

 -Chad

I'd agree that the BBA is a great book.  I have not seen his new one on whole grains yet though.  Being a whole grain baker myself I do us the BBA still (with time spent mucking around converting formulas).  If the new one has the same background fundamentals and you want a whole grain focused book it sounds like the new one is the way to go.  I'm a big fan of Laurel's Bread Book and The Bread Builders.  I use those two along with the BBA on a regular basis.

Since this will be a present a hard back copy of the BBA would be nice...if for nothing more than the beauty of the book itself. 

Take a look at "the bread bible" by Rose Levy Beranbaum.  It's in most local libraries.

See  http://breadbasketcase.blogspot.com/   which is a blog by a women who has tried every recipe in the book. Great comments.

Good luck, Marty