Welcome! Hope you pick up the game, it's a lot of fun. If you want to start cheap, try finding the Mines of Moria rulebook (just the rules) online. This has all the same rules as the big book, just lacking profiles (though it has everything you need to start). If you want to get a feel for the rules, just use some tokens on a 2x2 board to see how things play out...though of course a lot of us do it more for the eye-candy than the game...
Once you decide you like it it's best to pick a region and build from there. The simplest way to start is a boxed set of plastic warriors, a command blister, and a medium hero. For example, if you wanted to start Gondor, a box of Warriors, a command of Minas Tirith, maybe a box of Knights, and Faramir foot and mounted will give you plenty to work with as you build up. If you don't have friends who play you might find you have to build an army for both sides. Armies that are easy to start because the boxed sets etc are in the proper proportions and medium heroes are available are: Galadhrim, Wood Elves, Dwarves, Rohan, Gondor, Mordor, Goblins and Isengard Scouts. Any army is viable, but some take a little more finessing or more expense.
Cheers
