I recommend "Thinking In C++" by Bruce Eckel. I read several C and C++ books when I first started programming some years ago. I wanted to start with C because I figured if I couldn't code with the best then I didn't need to be a programmer. Looking back that was sort of naive approach that was fueled by the bravado that comes with youth... but I digress. The background is important because as you can see I had little programming knowlege at all but it clicked when I read "Thinking In C++" 1 & 2 by Bruce Eckel. The books are written to target an audience moving from C but they are at the same time insightful enough to cater to the people that are learning their first programming language. Granted I knew a little VB at the time but like I said "first programming language". Another good thing but not the best thing about these books is they are free online at: http://mindview.net/Books/TICPP/ThinkingInCPP2e.html If you prefer you can buy them in print form as well. Garland R. Frye