John Palmer is How To Brew. Complete Joy is by our founding forefather, Charlie Papazian. Both are good.
How to Brew is comprehensive without feeling like a textbook.
Complete Joy is incredibly enjoyable and quaint, but it really leaves so much out that most will quickly be looking for...
For a new brewer, How to Brew is best. For recipes that are guaranteed to make you happy, Brewing Classic Styles. I'd suggest get both and focus on those for a couple of years. It's a "recipe for success"!