Understanding pointers can be a sticking point with many students. Sometimes it just doesn't click until it has been presented to you in the correct way. If pointers just arn't making sense the way that they are presented in your text book, you might try one of the following sources.
If you would like to look at a different source than your text book for a description of pointers, you might try the following web site: http://freebooks.by.ru/view/CProgrammingLanguage/kandr.html It's an online version of the very popular book "The C Programming Language". Chapter 5 deals with pointers, and does so in a very concise yet clear manor.
This is a set of lessons ( complete with flash animations ) written by Paul DiLorenzo, a graduate student at UCR. If your a fan of learning through analogy, this is what you've been yearning for. Try it out here.