Michael - Dewalt and Bosch have their fans. The older P&C are good. As for a 17 pound router for plunge work, I can think of a lot of plunge work I would not want to try to manage that much machine. I guess it depends on what your plunging task is.

As for books, that again depends on what your immediate and mid range plans are in the craft. Boxes, cabinets, furniture....?