Pilates Books
Getting a Pilates book is a great way to start educating yourself on what Pilates is and how it works. There are many different books on the subject that you can get. Many of them will touch on the history of the workout and then go into the practical application.
If you are a beginner, it should be very easy for you to find a Pilates book that will get you started. Just about any book store will have at least a couple books on the subject. You will be able to learn what equipment you will need and what to expect from classes. You can also start working on some of the simple stuff on your own.
Intermediate and advanced Pilates books are available, but you might have a slightly harder time finding them compared to beginners books. Large book stores will probably have a couple that will provide you with some more intense workouts. You can also look online to find books by your favorite instructors.