Sparkfun has a free tutorial you can download and there should be one here also - both specific to Arduino and I would expect there are other good ones - I started with a beginner kit from Sparkfun with a Uno and parts - I had programmed in C many years ago so not totally new, I also have a PLC process control background and it is still tough to do some things with the Arduino - I find starting with basics nice and if I alredy know something the review helps to reinforce what I already know
good luck