MCSE - SQL Server 7 Administration - Training Guide Written by Christopher Wille, Brad McGehee and others.  Published by New Riders.  This is a good book as it is written so a beginner can pick it up and learn to administer SQL.  The material is very accurate.  It seems to fall a little short of its goal of preparing you for the 70-028 exam though.  I recommend starting with this book but supplement it with another book or use the BOL (Books Online)
		MCSE - SQL Server 7 Database Design - Training Guide Written by David Besch.  Published by New Riders.  The first chapter on relational databases is excellent.  Overall the book gives you a decent overview of database design but falls short of preparing you for the 70-029 exam.  You will also find quite a few technical errors.  It is a fairly decent book, but definitely not the only one you will need.
		SAMS Teach Yourself Microsoft SQL Server in 21 days Written by Richard Waymire and Rick Sawtell.  Published by SAMS (division of Macmillan).  I had some serious doubts about a book that claimed to teach you SQL 7.0 in 21 days. I was pleasantly surprised. My advice is to bypass the samples of long SQL queries that can be accomplished using SQL Enterprise Manager, unless you are going to become a SQL Database designer as opposed to an administrator.   The book covers everything you need to know to feel comfortable with SQL server administration, except ... what is really hot today: Possibility of Integrating SQL Server with WWW using ASP and ADO is only mentioned. Couple this book with 'Beginning ASP Databases' by John Kaufman from Wrox and you have everything you need.
		Beginning Visual Basic SQL Server 7.0 Written by Thearon Wills.  Published by WROX.  This book will appeal to those who know (or think they know) VB and feel that they lack only ability to create VB applications that interact with SQL. The book deals mostly with the SQL server side of the fence and assumes that you already have the VB expertise. Though not many real apps are geared towards Desktop edition of SQL server, it permits a developer to install SQL on his (her) desktop and get the benefits of the book immediately. It covers SQL server (Desktop edition) starting from installation and proceeds to creating Stored procedures and incorporating them in VB code. The book follows the 'beginning ASP Databases' by J. Kauffman's (my favorite) lead in thorough explanation of all steps involved. If you have space on your bookshelf (better yet on your desk), this book should be there.