I suppose there's lot's to learn in the book, but math gives me a headache. I would fall asleep after a page or two. I did take the BTZS course at Peters Valley and it made everything simple. Or, as simple as BTZS can get. It can get a little anal retentive and extreme. (Develope for 5min/37sec.) You will get wonderful negatives using the tubes. I find that it's a lot slower shooting making all the calculations and notes. If I have time I do it and if not I just shoot for N, + or - and use the N scale in the darkroom.
You might want to try the BTZS lite first. Oh, and Fred is a great guy and the store is very helpful.