Books

[ConcinusMan]

Beginner or not, the quintessential book on garter snakes would have to be:
Amazon.com: The Garter Snakes: Evolution and Ecology (Animal Natural History Series, Vol 2)…

OMG, I used to have that book. In fact, if you read it, I think that might be the book that has some significant notes about T. ordinoides reproductive behavior and polymorphism. Very nice one on the cover. I want one like that. Oh wait, already got it.

[drache]

I must say - I wouldn't consider any of the suggested books "beginner guides"
the two foremost beginner guides in my mind are
Garter Snakes and Water Snakes, by David Perlowin, and
Garter and Ribbon Snakes, by Bartlett and Bartlett