Quite Frankly, the best D&D 3.5 Player's Handbook

"Premium Dungeons and Dragons Player's Handbook" by Various
Published and distributed by Wizards of the Coast
ISBN = 978-0-7869-6146-4  320 pages

This is often called "Core Rulebook 1 v.3.5".  Within its pages are the closest thing to perfection that the 3.5 rulebook has ever had.  In this Premium edition, all errata has been removed, if possible, and entries have been slightly altered to make rulings clearer.

There are eleven major chapters in this volume:
     1) Abilities
     2) Races
     3) Classes
     4) Skills
     5) Feats
     6) Descriptions
     7) Equipment
     8) Combat
     9) Adventuring
     10) Magic
     11) Spells

I'm not going to bore you with long descriptions of the chapters.  But I will say that the Premium volume, with its semi-metallic cover, really stands out in my bookcases.  The art is great, as usual for WotC, and is rarely out of place.  The basics of what might be called "the ultimate D&D" are all included.  In the back of the book is a small section of general guidelines and a glossary.  At the rear of the book is a character sheet.

There is a really good Table of Contents and a good index.  There's also a list of all pertinent tables, which was a nice touch - it makes the specific info you are looking for easier to find.

Folks, if you play =any= 3.5 or D20 game, you should have a copy of this book.  I don't know of a single case where a 3.5/D20 book does not require the Player's Handbook in addition to whatever book you're reading.  And if you're going to need one, you may as well buy the best you can buy.  This is, quite simply, the best.  As a long time player of D&D and D20 games, I find this volume indispensable.  I think you will, too.  Highly recommended.