Hello,
I started out with self help books, and C++ was the first language I learned. Some people have told me that I should have learned a more basic language first, or to have started with C. I disagree. I have found C++ to be very helpful, and while complex, it is easy enough to grasp as long as you have some good starting materials. A good book to start out with (and still use when I have a brain cramp) is Teach Yourself C++ Programming in 21 Days. Printed by Sam's Publishing and written by Jesse Liberty. I have found this book to be instrumental, and talks to you as if you are a 4th grader, which is a good thing when starting out on a new language. Though a bit annoying once you get the jist of the language. Visual C++ I learned through a similar book. Teach Yourself Visual C++ 4/6 in 21 Days. Both books were pretty good, but honestly the Visual 4.0 was better written.
Well, I hope this gives you a good start. Good Luck
Nyjil