I'm not familiar with either of the two books in question, so I can't comment on which is better, I'm afraid.
I can say that, in some ways, learning C++ with gcc from the command line is somewhat better than learning it first in VC++, though it takes considerably more effort initially. With C++, programming to the console (as opposed to a GUI like Windows) is the default; it would be better if you learn this more general style of C++ programming first, rather than dive into the Windows-specific material right away. The better you understand the core language from the start, the better off you'll be later.
If you can set up a programming editor like
RHIDE or
Emacs (one of them probably came on the CD) to work with the compiler so that you can compile your code without leaving the editor, it will be a bit easier, though EDIT or Notepad should do in a pinch
.
Fortunately, it should not make a big difference either way, as Visual C++ is also designed to create console programs (though not, strictly speaking, DOS programs), and most books on VC++ will teach you how to write those first. Which ever book you work with, you should use the environment that the text you are using expects you to use, to make it easier to follow along. Even with a well-standardized language like C++, differences in the working environment and subtle dialect variations can make working with two different compilers confusing.