Depending on your location and goals, you may be able to find some very good martial arts schools in your area... Also depending on what you want out of the art, i.e. if you want more aggressive training, or a more laid back approach to training, if you are training simply to learn the art or if you are planning to compete etc. If you are looking to learn a "harder" style, then muay thai, karate, tae kwon do may be what you are looking for. If you are looking to learn a "softer" style, you may want to check out arts like kali, aikido, and some of the softer styles of kung fu. Also, if you are training, you may want to work some various forms of ground fighting into your workout routine just to make you a more rounded martial artist... Also keep in mind that there is not necessarily one form of martial art that is better than another. Depending on your strengths and weaknesses, one or more martial arts will fit you best. My suggestion is that you take your time finding a reputable school which teaches more than one art and also teaches you to mix them up to become a rounded fighter. You may want to check into the various Jeet Kune Do schools as they more often than not teach several forms of martial arts and teach you how to blend them as well. Also, if you want to learn the philosophy of martial arts, in my opinion, one of the best books you can pick up is "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do" by Bruce Lee.
Hope this helps... Train hard!!!
"The perfect way is only difficult for those who pick and choose. Do not like, do not dislike; all will then be clear. Make a hairbreadth difference and heaven and earth are set apart; if you want the truth to stand clear before you, never be for or against. The struggle between 'for' and 'against' is the mind's worst disease."
--Bruce Lee from "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do"