Last I checked cprogramming taught using the pre-standard libraries. For C++ check out cplus.about.com. I also recommend you get C++ Primer vol 3 (or whatever the latest one out is). Hold off on learning any API's right now, you need to learn how to program first. And API calls are never the meat and potatoes of any program, so don't expect to fully memorize the Win32 API or Direct3D or OpenGL (even if you could, that's still pretty worthless, what with online documentation and all). C++ Primer will do a good job at teaching you the basics of programming, and from there you can get some book on GUI programming if that's what you're into (I hear Petzold's Win32 book is good, though I haven't checked it out). Knowing GUI programming, or knowing the full Win32 API is not a prerequisite to graphics programming. To write a 3D graphics application in Windows all you need to know of the Win32 API is how to create a window and process the messages (and sometimes not even that, if, say, you're using GLUT for OpenGL). For beginning OpenGL I'd recommend the Redbook which is downloadable for free in PDF form on the web, and for Direct3D I'd simply recommend the documentation and examples that come in the DXSDK. Knowing either API is going to help you make use of that shiny new 3D hardware in your computer, but if you don't understand the theory of what's going on internally with the rendering process. That's where a good graphics theory book (such as the classic tome, <a href=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0201848406/qid=1083143939/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-7610356-1801556?v=glance&s=books>Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice</a>) will come in handy. If you want to write major software systems, knowing how to structure and design your applications is another crucial aspect as well. For any aspiring C++/Graphics programmer I would recommend:
C++ Primer
OpenGL Redbook and/or DirectX SDK documentation
Code Complete
Design Patterns
The Mythical Man-Month
Any good API-agnostic 3D theory book
I'd also recommend you subscribe to Dr. Dobb's Journal. It's a frequently interesting monthly general programming digest. Often you'll find helpful programming information in the least likely of places; DDJ can provide some useful general programming insights even if you're strictly a graphics programmer.
Oh, and when you get stuck, search the web and ask questions. And don't pay attention to people who bash you because of the questions you ask. They're just bitter jackasses who have nothing better to do than flame strangers on internet forums.
