it is often nice to own a book to have for future reference, be able to work with on your own time, i've learned alot from my books---but really nothing really beats the opportunity to actually experience it all first hand! maybe take the workshop- then if you are really (taken) with the whole thing and want to purchase the book you can at a later date- (possibly finding it on amazon or somewhere for less) you will have a personal 'foundation' and when you do get the book you will understand, know what it is 'talking about' because you witnessed it.
