How can I get started?

[Poincare]

I am interested in biology but I have no idea where to begin learning about it. I'm not necessarily interested in the Biology olympiads however the parts of biology are molecular biology and bioinformatics (programming is my thing). I think I should get biology by campbell and reece but its over a 100 dollars and I want to make sure I know what i'm doing before I spend that kind of money. Please assume 0 knowledge of knowledge of biology at this point. Like if this was math, I don't know how to do addition.

[JackBean]

You have definitelly no knowledge and wish to buy Campbell?
As you're talking about olympiads, I assume you are still at school? So what about to take your biology book and start learning from basics?
You can't start building space ship without knowledge of Newton's laws

[Poincare]

The thing is, I don't have a biology textbook! Even at school!

[JackBean]

And you don't have either any library or bookstore in 100 km radius?
Well then, where do you wish to buy the Campbell?

[canalon]

Or you could have a look here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
Books in free access (navigation is crap though) including the campbell (but not the last edition) and plenty of information on bioinformatics. Mix of high level and entry level information, you will have to sort through it. Have fun.

[MrMistery]

@canalon

I don't think NCBI has campbell.

@jackbean

Campbell is actually an easy book to learn from. It assumes no prior experience whatsoever. Anyone can learn from it

@poincare

I would say go for it and buy campbell. just make sure you read the intro chapters, which are mostly chemistry and physics but absolutely necessary if you want to learn anything.

[Poincare]

Thank you all very much for all the replies. I think I will try to get campbell and other recommended beginner books.

EDIT: Can someone post a direct link to campbell on this page: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ ?