New to Rogue Trader, but I've been a fan of the 40k universe for a while (mostly in the form of 40k and Necromunda). My question is this, what should I suggest my players that aren't super familiar with the universe read? Is there a book or two that will do a good job of providing an overview of the universe as a whole?

Actually, such a book or two would probably help me out, too.

Execution Hour is good to get a feel for the ship based stuff. There are also a set of rogue trader based stories that provide a good feel for some of the situations a rogue trader might find themselves in. Rogue star and Star of Damocles. Besides that possibly the Ravenor Inquisition stuff. I suggest it because it gives a feel for small teams operating together in that setting and a good grasp of how those who wield fantastical power stand out amongst the masses.

Try Lexicanum.com, that's a pretty good site with all you need to know about 40k in it.

Great I'd planned on going to B&N today anyway, I'll grab those books and I'll start surfing that site, too. Thanx!

White Dwarf magazine.

White Dwarf usually has easy-to-digest background material with lots of high-quality photos of the painted miniatures. If you don't want to distract them, rip out the LOTR and regular WH stuff...

When their appetite is whet, send them to lexicanium.com.

By the way, Dan Abnett's latest Gaunt's Ghosts novel is really good... If you've read it, don't spoil it for me as I'm only to the part where the Blood Wolf is ripping apart Section.

Black library books, whitedwarf and lexicanum would all be good places to start.