To the OP:
I got
Reinhart's Bread Baker's Apprentice and
Ortiz's The Village Baker at the same time and I have to say I liked Ortiz's book over Reinhart's when I started baking loaves at home (just a few years ago).
No dis-respect to Reinhart, I definitely respect and admire the man, I just think Ortiz's book was a better read for me as a beginning home baker. Also, there are some direct yeast recipes in Ortiz's book so you get that instant gratification (as in: "i forgot to buy a baguette for dinner tonight and I don't want to go back to the store"
).
Get both. Have fun.