Realistically for a complete beginner that is serious about getting strong and getting the most out of their training you would be mad not to recommend they read starting strength from cover to cover. There is nothing else out there that is as simple, solid and educating for someone who has never touched a barbell before.
Only thing that is shit about starting strength is power cleans... replace them with Chins or rows and you have an awesome program for any novice looking to get strong.
Starting strength is simple??
It takes about 60 pages to explain how to squat.
If you think 60 pages is too long, you probably haven't thought about squatting enough.
Starting Strength is 300 pages of actually useful information and analysis of the lifts. If I'm training someone, do they need to read a textbook? Probably not. However, am I going to type out 300 odd pages of advice for some newbie lifter on the internet? Unless I'm getting paid, hell no. But, I can tell them to go read a book someone else has written and then they'll have a much better idea of what to do and why.
Put bar on back, squat down then back up. Repeat, get stronger then add more weight.
I am 2 weeks in on picking up free weights for the first time in my life.
1RM - No idea when you start.
I am doing a modified version of StrongLifts5x5 and find it "easy" to introduce me to strength training.