[techtalk] Perl for idiots?

[Lori]

Hi all,

Sorry that I'm sure this has been asked before, but...

I am almost finished w/ a first semester Java class, and have kicked around
some ASP and JavaScript.  I've never done anything w/ C or C++ yet, wont have
that in school 'til the fall.  But I have been offered a job where they'll want
me to learn Perl and I am wondering, should I do this?  

I have heard that Perl is hard, and I don't know where to begin if I don't
know any C yet.  It's great, challenging, geek sex-appeal for my motivation, but
I don't want to take a job and fall on my face only because I am too new right
now to programming. I have been meaning to learn about reg. expressions but
never got around to, I think that is something else I will need.

Can anyone recommend me Perl books, etc. for newbies (that do *not* use C/C++
as a reference for explaining it) or just tell me to start w/ something easier
instead.

Thanks,
Lori