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An Introduction to Genetic Algorithms (Complex Adaptive Systems)

A short read, explains what they are, how they work, and what can go wrong.

Second that. I especially liked the last chapter where the author discusses some implementation techniques to get you going.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Genetic-Algorithms-Comple...

Many years ago I wrote one GA tutorial for newbies. Here is the link: http://paraschopra.com/tutorials/ga/index.php

[Pardon my grammar in the tutorial, it was written was I was 15]

I found A Field Guide to Genetic Programming to be a good introduction to genetic programming, which is a subset of genetic algorithms. The book can be had freely at http://www.gp-field-guide.org.uk/

I can recommend you the book Introduction to Evolutionary Computing by Eiben and Smith

Although it covers more than just genetic algorithms.