A good beginner's or amateur road bike?

?

Every major manufacturer has a "base-model," so you're in luck. You can get a better idea by shopping on the internet under major brands (Giant, Scott, Trek, Specialized, etc., etc...) Then you can find their retailers and go take a look yourself. There are also other brands that are more available on the internet than in bike shops - Motobecane is one for example. Most important thing is fit - not every frame feels the same, so the caution about internet shopping is that you cannot test ride them first (unless you have a friend who has one)
Do some homework. Many of the low-end bikes come with down-tube or stem-mounted shifters vs. those that are integrated with the brakes. I think it's a mistake to get those since the advantage of the integrated brake lever/shift lever is a huge convenience (especially on a 15% hill) Also - look at what you get with the bike in terms of the front chain rings:
A triple (typically 52-39-30)?
A Double? (typically 52 - 39)
A compact? (typically 50 - 34)
How fit you are? If you are JUST starting off and don't have a good base of fitness, then that's a consideration, since a triple or a compact in the front may make a big difference to you when you hit that first steep climb.
Also the range of gears in the rear cassette is of interest - a 27 tooth (bigger) is going to make climbing easier than a 23 tooth. So a 12 - 27 in the rear might be a more comfortable place to start than a 11 - 23.

Lots to consider I know - but remember that's why there are bike shops and places like this on the internet. No dumb questions!

I would look at a Fuji or www.raleighusa.com. I would buy the very very base road bike and get some upgraded pedals and shoes and down the road I would go.

Fit is everything in bike. Have Bike Shop fit on two bikes One Bigger a secound one a bit smaller take on rides both bikes for at least 5 mins. Then think about which one feels better. Some time they adjust the bike for you upper body by changing the steam length

Have fun buying a bike. It should be a good time

i bought a couple of old 10 spds with drop bars for 15 and 25 dollars just to see if i would be interested in cycling, i had a lot of fun on those bikes, i rode them for two years, even did a couple triathlons on them, i decided i really liked biking so i got a nice new one. turns out the sport is a blast, but i am glad i tried it first before dropping a ton of bucks on a new one.