I'll definitely 2nd that opinion. Chris and Trish Meyers' books are the best. Over the last few years, I've done hundreds of tutorials and read dozens of books while learning AE from the ground up. Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects are by far the best training material available.

Do you know what the difference between these books and After Effects Apprentice is?

It's not for apprentices...

At the intermediate & advanced level, I also like Creative After Effects

Ae
 

Just started reading about After Effects myself (yesterday). I bought Antony Bolante's book under the Visual Quick Pro series... seems very clean and clear explanations to me. However reading through the replies here, wish I'd looked at the Meyer's books. Always been an impulse buyer though...

Technically it's not a book but the Total Training Videos are also a good resource.