melany, nobody's been answering because the things for which you're asking are things people spend years learning - not things which tend to be gathered up in individual all-inclusive books.

that said, you might get SOME of what you're looking for in Architectural Graphic Standards. It's more of a general encyclopedia of things architecture-types deal with on a semi-regular basis.

the problem with 'learning some architecture' is, as most students of arch would tell you, that the beginning of an architecture curriculum is cathartic/immersive, not something into which you dip a toe.

the Fundamentals of Building Construction by Ed Allen is also a useful reference book but I completely agree with the post above. If you really want to "learn some architecture" go to architecture school. Or if that isn't what you are looking for read some history of architecture books or some architectural theory. You aren't going to learn architecture by learning how to read or draw plans.

Won't make you an architect in a day, but will give you the information you asked for:

http://www.amazon.com/Manual-Construction-Documentation-Glenn-Wiggins/dp/0823030024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241201860&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Guide-Frame-Construction-Pros/dp/1600850235/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241202032&sr=1-1

If you really want to get into architecture, you would be better off reading this though:

http://www.amazon.com/Experiencing-Architecture-Steen-Eiler-Rasmussen/dp/0262680025/ref=pd_sim_b_18

or
http://www.amazon.com/Architecture-Space-Francis-D-Ching/dp/0471752169/ref=pd_cp_b_1?pf_rd_p=413864201&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0262680025&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=04A85ETQE9D8GQQX1VS4

ty mates

now im off to the pub to jump a horse

also check out "why buildings stand up" and "why buildings fall down". good intros to structure.

you can find them on amazon.