I don't know how much you know about JAR regulations, but there's no way you can bypass FTO's (Flight Training Organisation) before taking a test. You have to attend an approved ground/flight training course, unless you have a logbook thicker than the Yellow Pages and in that case you'll get some examptions.
Good books and manuals can be found in most European pilot shops, but if you are starting almost from scratch you'll have to buy the books from your FTO anyway.
As far as I know, Germany has been JAR-FCL-compliant for just a few months now, and you will not be able to use that German licence in other JAA countries for about a year. That's standard FCL procedure: the licences of any new JAA country can not be "exported" for a year. An assessment is then made to check the level of compliance of this country and, if satisfactory, the restriction is lifted.