Just to add my thoughts.
I purchased EQ6 and I found the User Manual comprehensive but I haven't really had the time to wade through all of it yet. I purchased EQ6 Simplified and find it takes you to the same places but in a more direct manner by cutting out some of the extra stuff. The Help videos are really good but I like to have a hard copy that I can sit and thumb through.
I am still only about half way through the User Manual but I do refer to it at times for more in depth explanations.
So far I have only been using the programme to play with design placement and fabric/colour combinations. I haven't printed out patterns/templates and actually cut fabric.
I have found EQ6 Simplified very useful and worth buying when starting out, but I do think you could leave the other books until later and then decide which, if any, you really wanted.