Code in Lisp in 1979 should be compatible with the current Common Lisp implementations. However, Common Lisp (1994 ANSI standard) has interesting features that

Code in Lisp in 1979 should be compatible with the current Common Lisp implementations. However, Common Lisp (1994 ANSI standard) has interesting features that were not easily available (or standarized) on the Lisp implementations of 1979, for example the CLOS object system. And today, with tools like Quicklisp or Alexandria, Lisp programming is really friendly. There are also some interesting recent books available, like Practical Common Lisp, and Land of Lisp. These are all Common Lisp resources. There is also the classic "The little schemer" to learn Scheme.