I also want to learn C++ game programming and this is my approach. I'm an intermediate Visual Basic programmer(still learning VB) and have taken C++ classes in school. The way I'm learning VB besides having worked with it for a few years and have taken classes is by writting small simple programs that I have an interest in. I figured it would be best to be comfortable with the C++ language before getting into game programming. And the best way to get proficient with Visual C++ would be to write lots of small programs. I'm reading "murach's C++ 2008" -Prentiss Knowlton which has been a good read and so far. It got me going. Before the book I had college C++ skill but didn't know how to apply my new knowledge in the Visual Studio C++ environment. But this book bridges the gap nicely. It's not a game programming book but at least now I can learn the language like the way I like to which is by writting something not so boring. I can now finally do something with Visual Studio C++. So now I have the ability to start experimenting on writting silly little programs. They may be short and somewhat useless but they will be the building block of bigger and better things like tackling a game programming book. So anyway that's my approach which I wanted to share with you guys.