A good book for learning chinese (traditional characters)

[Yew]

Hi!

I'm (still) a total beginner in chinese, and I have decided to buy a textbook for learning both speaking and writing (in traditional characters). I have looked around in http://www.amazon.co.uk and found two books, both from John DeFrancis: Beginning Chinese and Beginning Chinese Reader.

But what's the difference between these two books? Which would be better for a beginner like me? If those aren't good, would you also suggest some other book with traditional characters?

Greetings,

Yew

PS. Btw, do you know any good Chinese-English-Chinese dictionary with traditional characters? :-)

[J.B. Frog]

Search these forums, there's lots of discussion on both of these topics.