ORIGINAL: Arthur P
I would generally recommend a recurve to beginners. The extra mass in the riser makes them a little more stable and easier to shoot well while you're getting your shooting form down.
Doesn't really matter though because you'll eventually own at least one of each. Probably a lot more than that if the bug really bites you hard.
I must be infested, then...
last time I counted, my tradbows alone were over thirty..