"The Guitar Handbook" by Ralph Denyer
www.amazon.com/gp/product...538-2916611

Learn chords, keep it simple at first. Start with C, F, and G and then learn G, C and D. Get a song book with songs that you know. Find one with simple chord changes and go slow or at your own pace. Once you get to where you can transition from chord to chord, the door will open and you will be able to play many songs. Just beware that it takes time and you will not just suddenly know it all. After you get to where you can keep time and can play the above chords, look into taking some lessons.

Good luck and just enjoy the music you make.

all books aside there are a couple things that make it easier

nylon strings (doesnt cut into your fingers as badly)
guitar with low action (strings are close to the fretboard so you dont have to press as hard)
finger/hand exercisers. you can find these at guitar stores.

if your fingertips hurt put a dab of super glue on the tips as a faux callus.

if you already have metal strings pick up some "fast fret" it makes the strings feel slippy and soft. extra light for the metal string. much easier to push and hold down.
elixer brand strings are a nice soft metal string with a LOOOOOOOOOOOONg life.

scales. get a book of scales and practice them. its a great way to learn finger dexterity.

Since you obviously have an internet connection I'd recommend taking a peek at a friendly TAB site and feel out some easy songs you know well. Although paying for lessons is probably the best way to go, I was able to teach myself through online sites like www.guitartabs.cc and OLGA, among others. If you can't read music, go with TAB to start.
Begin with basic, easy chords. A, E, Em, D, G, C...work on getting your fingers used to the different positions. Moving between chords takes time, your hand won't feel comfortable for a little while, but that goes away after practice. Stretch your fingers out before playing. I sometimes run my hands under warm water, helps a little. Never tried the glue on finger tips, but when I teach people who've never played before, that's the number one complaint. "My fingers kill!". Low action can eleviate some pain. The callauses come and you'll be fine soon.
Basically it just comes down to practice. The more you play the better you get - sounds simple enough, but it's true. You'll start out probably wanting to jump right in and learn some of your favorite songs, then you'll get disappointed when you can't switch chords fast enough, or the sound chunks when your slow fingers don't hit the string full on. You'll get frustrated to no end, but then, after you practice and you finally get the piece of music you've been working on, you'll be re-inspired and the addiction will set in. Good luck!

www.torvund.net/guitar/lessons.asp

the best best website ever, entirely free.... for beginners to advanced players... there's a lotta theory though... :)

Youtube.com has online lessons and instructive, and sometimes inspiring, performances by both experts and beginners.