Your first question is the hardest, but not that hard, some basic understanding of balance sheets, sector analysis, etc. Beyond the scope of this board. Second question is easy, don't overleverage.
"Security Analysis" by Graham/Dodd used to be the bible for analysts. Not sure anymore considering Buffett lost 50% in one year "value" investing. A lot of credentials nevertheless. I would also recommend "How To Make Money in Stocks" by O'Neil. It discusses the Canslim method. It's all about fundamentals so you should find it interesting. "One Up On Wall Street" by mutual fund king Peter Lynch is also a classic.
Cat Staff Meeting by Seth MacFarlane. It's a cartoon, but every serious investor should be familiar with it. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Finance and Accounting for the Non-Financial Manager (The Teaching Company), Jules Schwartz Video course
1. Security Analysis, by Graham & Dodd 2. The Intelligent Investor, G & D 3. Buffett's annual letters, available on the Berk-Hath website. 4. I would also recommend "Buffet" by Roger Lowenstein as it does a superb job of driving home the value investor mindset. 5. Buffet also recommends Philip Fisher's "Common Stocks & Uncommon Profits" Someone mentioned Peter Lynch's "Beating the Street." It is a good book but its from a professional fund manager's perspective and he is only soft-pedalling many of the same ideas you'll find in the books listed above.
Seth Klarman, "Margin of Safety" Martin Whitman, "The Aggressive Conservative Investor" Early edition of "Security Analysis" (not the later ones) The "Market Wizards" series (the interviews with traders who use fundamentals) Buffett's letters to shareholders Roger Lowenstein: "Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist" Jack Schwager: "Fundamental Analysis" George Soros: "Alchemy of Finance" It's also important to read a few books on corporate accounting for each country you plan to invest in.
george geis, business statistics (videocourse) excellent, easy-to-understand overview of key statistics and probability concepts, with application in business. highly recommended.