I have a problem figuring out how to play a chord on my guitar. The book I have says to play an A chord?

But there are six chords on my guitar and I don't know why the book is telling me to use three of the chords to play the A chord. Good golly Moses, I don't see how those fancy guys play those guitars with more than 6 chords, maybe I should just get a lute, or a base even because it only has four chords.