Before getting into perl, I had done some C++, Visual Basic, and JavaScript, so I had some knowledge of programming, so my reaction might be different than someone starting to learn programming with perl.

I had heard people talk about the Llama book and the Camel book like they were the bibles of perl programming. So, I dutifully got the Llama book (Learning Perl 3rd Edition). I tried to read it but never got past chapter 5 (out of 17). I thought it was boring and the footnotes were distracting because I always feel compelled to read them.

I like to see lots of code examples within the context of a functional program. I much preferred the Deitel book Perl How to Program. It has some errors/outdated information, but is much more visually appealing and straight forward, with code in the context of working programs. It will get you going much faster than the Llama book.

For more information and more advance programming the Camel book (Programming Perl) and the Perl Cookbook are excellent references. And of course Perl Monks is the ultimate resource.

The fastest way someone is going to learn though is not to read a book or take a class, but to have an honest-to-goodness work assignment (not some assignment at the end of a chapter in a book) and have to figure it out using whatever resources are available.