Music Theory - Before I press the "Place Order" button...

I've studied music theory briefly when I was younger but forgot most of that stuff. Considering that I now have the time and the desire to learn, I'm looking for a few good books to teach myself what I've forgotten and what I never bothered to learn.  
 
A quick search on Amazon lead me to pick Book 1 and 2 of these:

 
Obviously, the name Berklee would lead me to believe that these are quite adequate, but I thought I'd ask you guys' input.

I agree with Craig - it's probably best to get 2 sources.the 2nd one should solidify the concepts.
 
I'm not familiar with the Berkley book, but it should be good.
 
I can't find the book I bought for music theory on amazon and I can't remember the details of it (I'd recognize it when I saw the cover).  I'll try to remember to post it for you tonight when I get home.
 
it was my "first" source and the other source I had was a text book where I took a year's worth (2 semesters) of theory at a local community college.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gHEIF0rT2w
(dig the hairdo - or not)

http://www.dolmetsch.com/theoryintro.htm

http://www.circleoffifths.com/
 
What part of music theory?
Different Scales probably is there somewhere also.
 
 
 

I always thought that music was a fact, not just an ol theory.

spacealf
 
What part of music theory?
 
 

The basic technical stuff - time signatures and modes and all... Obviously, I know some of that stuff, but I feel the need to re-immerse and start from scratch. I definitely want to get back to reading charts - which I haven't done in almost 25 years. Back then, my knowledge of theory lagged way behind my actual skills, and I always felt a bit as if I was cheating. 
 
Another motivation of mine is that, since we're planning a family, I feel it's my duty to be able to follow up with my kid should he/she want to take lessons. I know it may seem far fetched, but it's something that I keep in mind. Considering how musical the family is, it's not unlikely that the kid will want to play an instrument. 
 
 
Craig, Beagle and all: Thanks for your input guys and thanks for the suggestions. I do agree that a second source is always a good thing. To that effect, I'm still shopping around for another book. :)

Well, whatever you want to learn it is a very big field with music theory.
Sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" when I was three, and played drums and accordian when I was four.
I think I have forgotten more than I learned. And still probably may yet learn more or not.

Back to my man-cave to eat snails and puppy dog tails and dress in blue, I guess.
I also have an ex-wife (and I may be dead as of then which was a while back now).
 
 

I'm sorry Rain - I completely forgot to look at that book last night.  Tuesday and Wednesday nights are pretty busy for me and it just slipped the ol' dawg's mind.

soens
Forget the book. I can tell you for a certainty that Music exists. Some might try to say it's only a theory but I believe with all my heart that it's real. And that, my friend, makes it a FACT!

that would also have to mean that we have to believe that you are real.  how do we know you're not just a figment of bapu's imagination?

Hey Rain,
Here's one recommended by the leader of our music composition group; I bought it myself BECAUSE it is so basic; from Amazon.com . 
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition by Michael Miller 
Best,
HeyDan 

heydan
Hey Rain,
Here's one recommended by the leader of our music composition group; I bought it myself BECAUSE it is so basic; from Amazon.com . 
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition by Michael Miller
 
Best,
HeyDan 

Thanks Dan! I'd noticed this one and considered it one of my potential choices - it is actually the first one to pop up when I look for music theory books on Amazon, and it seems very well rated. I'll look into it. :)