If you’re looking for a really comprehensive background to the financial markets, I really recommend ‘An Introduction to Global Financial Markets’ by Stephen Valdez. It’s not too technical and is great as a beginner text - anyone studying a science or engineering degree should havde no problem following it.

The book covers:

• the background of banking and central banks,
• commercial banking, investment banking,
• the securities markets: money and bond markets, stock exchanges, hedge funds and private equity firms
• foreign exchange and trade finance
• the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)
• Derivatives: traded options, financial futures and other derivatives
• Insurance
• India, China and other key trends in the sector

Highly readable; easily usable as an introductory textbook. Strongly recommended.