The ARRL books are good learning tools, they give you the entire test bank so you will know the questions on the test beforehand.
The basic license is Technician level and a simple handheld radio which are cheap is all you really need.
In order to do most traditional ham radio functions you need a general class license which is another test, it’s also much more complicated because it’s not the radio you need, you also need an antenna and the choices are many
I have a general class license and antenna which allows me to talk to people hundreds and thousands of miles away, depending on what you want to do ham radio can be very addictive and very fun and very useful in a SHTF situation
[...useful in a SHTF situation]
Would you need a license in a SHTF situation? I figure it would be a “no size restrictions and screw the limit!” type deal.