Recommend decent guitar book with CD?

I have reached the "island of stagnation."

I am an intermediate player with a decent feel for music. I use the guitar to accompany myself, but have not played with another guitarist or bassist. I am wanting a program, either online or book form with a CD, that can help take my playing to the next level. I don't have a handle on music theory, although I do read music a little and can play what I read on the guitar as long as it's in the first position. My interests include blues, classical, and finger style.

Suggestions for where I go from here ? ? Does anyone have a book or program that they recommend? Has anyone used this: http://www.guitarbreakthrough.com/

Thanks for your help.

For finger picking I recommend Celtic Crossing by William Coulter published at Mel BAy . Althought the tuning on most song is in DADGAD and uses a capo, it's really good to explore new ways of fingerpicking. Great traditionnal/celtic/classical songs. Make sure you have the cd with it. I bought it used and the cd wasn't with it :(

If you want to take your lead skills one step higher, try out Troy Stetina's speed Mechanics. It's rock/metal but the techniques and exercises will blow you away. I gain a lot of speed and accuracy (doesn't always shows) with it.

You can check out my section for fingerpicking tricks but if you're an intermediate player you're probably past them. For some classical peices check Azrael's section. If you can play them all, you've really earned the title of intermediate/pro guitar player!

hope this helps.

I went to the island of stagnation for about 10 years ...sniff... sob ...however I found shore by way of 1) swallowing my pride and taking lessons (something I hadn’t tried before) 2) getting lots of different guitar books (Mel Bay and Berkley Music Press do some great ones) which I was also too skint / proud to do in the past 3) getting a 4 track recorder. The 4 track is great as I can record me playing rhythm and experiment with all of the different things Im learning from my teacher and the books over the top. It is a really good way of seeing what works and writing interesting solos

I use the software. There are only a few examples to follow and just a few audios to listen to but the program is an endless sourse of information and encouragement. I started as a complete beginner. The range is huge and it encourages buying music books that I want to work from (thats why there arn't many examples, i guess) and to go join a band.

Its mainly text, but its very clear and easy to follow. its been a great help.

peter