Hello Russ,
I got the same condition as yours. No class here in Hong Kong.
My experience:
1. Try hand graver first, it is the simplest way and the most economic way to try engraving. if you cannot go further (hand pain like me), buy the air-assist tools, of course I will recommend Lindsay's tool. They are the best. (I am not his salesman!
)
2. The book you have is excellent.
3. Read through this forum ( I spend one to two hours every day to study the previous post). I found Steve's site and forum is the very up-to-date and the very best "Book and Video". You can find nearly everything about engraving.
4. Then you will know more what you need and you can start to cut. Post your problems or questions here and a lot of experts will help.
Hope this may help.
Zernike