Hi Les
I learned entirely from the book. The biggest thing I've noticed is that there is no one to guide you and hold your hand when you learn from the book. It is much more important, I think, to play with the system and pay close attention to intuition.
The biggest thing I've found is don't set your expectations too high. This is a system which requires practice. You are literally reorganizing the way your brain accesses it's information and that type of cognitive change does _not_ happen over night.
You also must be extremely clear and precise in the purpose you set before you start the photoreading step. I find that the more precise I am, the better the results, and if I can pair the words of my purpose with a visualization of my purpose, it is much more powerful.
For example, when I enter the flow state, I use 3 affirmations before I start photoreading, and they each have associated visualizations:
1) "When I photoread, my concentration is absolute."
For this, I visualize a "cone of silence" around me - I literally see the air shimmering and words and sounds bouncing off of it.
2) "Everything I photoread is deeply and completely absorbed and integrated by my inner mind."
Here, I visualize myself photoreading and the knowledge rushing into my head much like water which is absorbed by my brain much like a sponge.
3) "I'm photoreading this book _____ for the purpose of _____."
This one is specific to the purpose I have for that session. Usually the visualization is something like seeing myself doing the activity I'm studying (programming, schoolwork/tests, etc.) and I see the knowledge "bubbling up" from my inner mind. When the bubbles "reach the top" I can see the information they contain and can then use it for my activity.
The most important thing is to play with the system. Make it your own. Find what works for you by engaging the creative resources you have. Before you go to sleep, ask your unconscious mind to dream about the books you've photoread. Use mind mapping to engage your creativity.
Remember, the knowledge and information is in there - your mission, should you choose to accept it - is to figure out how to gain access to the info.
Have Fun!!
Mike