Help?

[brigdh]

Okay. So let's imagine, for a moment, that I somehow managed to grow up and become a fairly well-read adult, and yet I have no knowledge of the King Arthur legends. At all. Aside from vague memories of a TV miniseries from about five years ago and the kinds of tiny details scattered throughout English literature (there's a sword in a stone? Or possibly a sword in a lake? They go looking for the Grail? Stay and found Camelot? There's an island with apples on it? Merlin wears Bermuda shorts? Knights who say ni?), I have no idea about any of the people, events, or places. But I want to know. Recommend me some things- what do you suggest as good starting points? What are some nice, thorough versions that require no foreknowledge? Or alternatively, what are some cool retellings?

And hey, since we're on the topic, recommend me any book, King Arthur or no. I'm thinking of what to ask for for Christmas, and things to read are always good.