In the beginning you can just play and will get better anyway, kinda getting a "chess vision".
If you wanna read a book I'd recommend "The complete idiots guide to chess". The title is not the best, but the book is really great to get a hang of the basics.
never played, but have watched some videos and think the game looks fascinating. I generally love things where there is always scope for improvement and that can be as technical as you want them to be.
However having no experience, what is the best way to learn? I think id get beaten so easily i worry i wouldnt learn anything from playing against random opponents.
Thanks