So the Wikipedia entry on Lambda Calculus was interesting but I've finished it. I wish to dive a little deeper and get a better understanding of Lambda Calculus.
Can anyone recommend what they consider to be the best book or primer to Lambda Calculus?
If you are done with the Wikipedia entry, follow its link to the online Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs, do the assignments, or read the book.
Well, there's always An Introduction to Lambda Calculus. I've tried reading it a few times, but always got stuck. I have a nagging feeling that I already know most of this stuff and would probably have an easier time understanding it if it was presented in terms of Lisp/Scheme rather than math. You might have better luck, though :)
Try writing a lambda calculus interpetter, ideally in a functional language using the build in syntax of the language rather than via a parser. This is surprisingly easy and a good way to improve your feel for it.
I totally agree with Brian. I built an interpreter based on the SECD machine as an undergrad project (I have it online, in fact. If you'd like to see it, email me.). By the time I was done I was reading lambda calc like it was forth grade arithmetic. I would suggest Field and Harrison's book "Functional Programming." It thoroughly covers the basics, particularly as it pertains to functional programming.