Might I suggest any of the new three intro books that autodesk has released?
The links are below.
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Autod.../dp/1897177380
https://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Ma...301575-7721764
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Autod...d_bxgy_b_img_b

All of the new books for beginners and Maya are very good, however new to 2008 is the fact that each book has a theme.
For example the first book is going to feature characters, the second trains, and the third characters but in the form of birds.

As all three cover the same basic principles the projects in each will cover different material. So if you have any idea what kind of material would interest you the most then you should get the corresponding book(s).

I've scoured through the pages of the second link and wish I had that book 6 months ago when i was doing the intro to Maya. It covers mechanical building, and you build the train. You rig the train for animation, and then animate the mechanical parts as another project.

I suggest you do your homework, and decide what's best for you. If you have maya 2008 you'll be able to find a LOT more content that may interest you and apply to 2008.
Good luck!

-Alexander