I have very little experience building software for Windows, and zero experience using the Windows API, but I\'m reasonably familiar with Python. How should I go about learn
As Charlie says : "this Api is an 800 pound monster covered with hair".
Consider using the express version (free) of visual studio for vb or c# (http://www.microsoft.com/express/) along with the msdn library (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/default.aspx). this will give you as much exposure to the api as you want.