"Master Modeler" by S. Tamiya
"Basic and Advanced Tips and Techniques for Syrene Modeling" by Evergreen Scale Models
I can not stress enough how informative and insightful the Tamiya book is. It lets you go into a company that is extremely successful now, and shows you how they did it from nearly nothing. This is not a book about how to run business. This is a very touching, sometimes lighthearted account of Mr. Tamiya's rise through the modeling industry, and it wasn't always good for them. It also explains a bit about the modeling industry in general, and how they come up with new concepts, and kits. The translation is stupendous!!!! I have never, ever read a translated text that was as thoroughly translated as this. Congrats to the Translator for sure, he makes you feel like Mr. Tamiya is in your living room chatting it up with you!!!
The second book is a bible for scratchbuilding! I have read this book over 15 times, and every time I read it, I learn more!!! It goes through everything from tools you may need, down to different types of aircompressors, and even building your own tank. Pick it up if you want to know how to utilize styrene stock to it's fullest!!!!