http://kor.i2p/books/The%20C%20Programming%20Language%20by%20K&R/preface1.html
The book is not an introductory programming manual; it assumes some
familiarity with basic programming concepts like variables, assignment
statements, loops, and functions. Nonetheless, a novice programmer should be
able to read along and pick up the language, although access to more
knowledgeable colleague will help. In our experience, C has proven to be a pleasant, expressive and versatile
language for a wide variety of programs.