Hi again!
Yes, it's a good book I think, although I mostly just used the pictures and didn't read so much in it.
The optimal would probably be to find yourself someone for a crashcourse, to me it seems so much easier to get the start by someone 'live' and go on then.
But of course learning by doing also very well possible.
Roland by the way also just brought out a good book about engraving, maybe try that one too.
I would say, you could come just as well to switzerland for a weekend or so, but I suppose thats a bit far;-)
Frohes Schaffen!