What is the one grammer book that you would recommend to a guy just getting back

Try these:

http://www.amazon.com/English-Grammar-Second-Student-Textbook/dp/0133683176/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245467918&sr=8-10#

This one takes you a little further:
http://www.amazon.com/Essentials-English-Barrons/dp/0764113674/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245468037&sr=1-1

You could take a peek at this one too--a good overview with some practical suggestions...
http://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Dummies-Center/dp/0764552724/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245468147&sr=1-1
 
I think there's only two possible choices: The Scott Foresman Handbook for Writers by Harper Collins College Publishers Fourth Edition, 10th East 53rd Street, New York, New York 10022
and Harbrace 12th edition.
 
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