Yeah, I'd recommend you go to the New User FAQ here at this site, and start plowing through the tutorials they've got. There's a ton and I'll bet they'll keep you busy (and confused and frustrated and all that other good stuff) for a long time.
But as to hard copy, I'd like to ask if there's any consensus about what would be the one book people most suggest a guy should buy if he wants a real, honest to gosh, hold-in-your-hands paper book to have for his very own. A kind of a desert island type of thing.
Any opinions?
Edit:
Here are two good sites with tutorials. I've found the videos at Digital Tutors to be very helpful. There's something about actually watching someone do it right before your eyes...
http://learningmaya.com/tutorials.php
http://www.digital-tutors.com/digital\_tutors/main\_maya.htm