[enitihas]

If you have no experience with programming, then m start with one of the head first books. Any head first book is designed for complete beginners, and I have heard very good feedback for them via my friends in other disciplines who used them to learn programming. For someone just starting, SICP is too advanced for self study. You can also try one of Manning's in action books all of which have some real world projects, in a language of your choice.