Whether or not C++ is easier than VB is irrevelant to your initial question: Does anyone know of any good VB books?
There are only two VB books I have ever owned, one was too basic (and I quickly forgot author/title) and the other, while "hardcore", was something that I just didnt use often.
Check out: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/157231
4222/qid=940513800/sr=1-1/002-7269419-8776224
Otherwise, I would browse amazon.com and see what the reviews for different books are.
I believe that you probably couldn't go wrong with a "Mastering VB 6.0" book or something similar.
I mostly learned VB from the sample programs that ship with the CD, and a subscription to Visual Basic Programmers Journal, and hands on working in a vb environment.
On the other hand, I actually own 3 C++ books. Not windows books, not Visual C++ books, but on the the C++ language.
So, maybe I indirectly answered your second question... :P
Good luck,
-mordell