I have tried learning C++ and directx but it is hard to have it sink in. Is there a book for
People like me who are total idiots? I have looked at the dummies c++ book but don't like that one. What about online lessons?

workerbee

You, the student are not the problem. Why aren't they able to explain what they have designed? Perhaps they do not really speak English.

There is a very steep learning curve if you are trying to do GUI (windows) programming. If you write a console app the learning isn't as steep. C++ is a more powerful language than C and it is therefore more complex. I have not read a large number of books on C++ but here - C And C++ Books (http://home.att.net/~jackklein/c/c_books.html) - is a website that seems to have some reasonable recommendations.

Also if you Google "c++ books" (include the quotes) the first 4 hits that I got were lists of free books, so you can take a look at them before you try to learn from them. And if you get stuck or confused, come back and ask.

The links to sites that you will find on the following search might be something that you would want to consider also.

C++ Free Online Tutor - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=C%2B%2B+Free+Online+Tutor)

I recommend C++ Primer (4th edition) by Lippman, Lajoie and Moo

Like the title implies, it's meant for people with no programming experience. We had to use it for a class after we spent a year learning C, and we still used the introductory book. I still have it for reference.