[dutchblacksmith]

I use lispworks, the CAPI works well on allmost all platforms. They know what they are doing. Books: common lisp recipes, PAIP, ANSI COMMON LISP. The few libraries you need are very good.And you need Quicklisp. I stopped using C, C++, pascal, fortran, javascript. Altough they all are just fine. You still have to learn the craft of programming. Just go for it.

[nicklaf]

I'm going to second the recommendation of Common Lisp Recipes. The others too, of course (especially PAIP).