Sherco,
Books just don't do it justice. The class will teach you tecniques and processes that you learn from apprenticing from an expert.Better yet, you receive all the tools with the class.
Spend years learning by trial and error or learn the proper way and build a solid foundation. That way you are light years ahead of your competition.
Some of the things I learned at the workshop- nobody knows in my area.
However, to get you started on some geology here's a great website for reference.
StoneCare Techniques