I am about to start casting bullets- ordered moulds and furnace. Can anyone suggest a how-to book for the beginner?

You don't need a book. The instructions that come with the molds are sufficient.

My tip for you is to connect the ladle with the sprue plate and hold the two together while pouring to make sure that the base of your bullet fills out completely. If you pour from any distace, then the base will always have rounded edges.

This is something I finally figured out. None of the casting books explained that.

I have to disagree. I think the most important thing you can do is to buy a book like Lymans Cast Bullet Handbook. And read it. Otherwise you can go crazy just getting bits and pieces of information off a site like this, although this can be a good source of information.
If you are really serious you might look into joining the Cast Bullet Association. They publish a very informative bi-monthly magazine. The articles are contributed by members so you get information from people who are actively engaged in the sport. You can find them if you do a search.

Ill Second on the Lymans Cast Bullet Handbook it is a great way to learn. Read it from front to back you will pickup on information that will take you years to learn on your own.

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.It helped me a lot.

Sean

Lyman's "Cast Bullet Hnadbook, 3rd. Ed." is excellent. However, if you can't find it, RCBS' slim volume, "Cast Bullets, Vol. 1" is almost its equal, plus it can be found on EBay, Auction Arms, etc. for very little $$.

Thanks. There seems to be a consensus here. Ordered from Midway, on sale!