The picture below is from the Handbook of Model Rocketry by G. Harry Stine, which is one of the original and best introductions to hobby rocketry. This is definitely the book to start with and is currently in its sixth edition.

An exploded, annotated, view of model rocket parts
An exploded, annotated, view of model rocket parts

One interesting thing is that as large and as complex as rockets get, they’re still just variations on this basic design. There are fundamental physical principles which restrict what a stable and efficient rocket will be like.

Submitted by: John Coker