Well, I still haven't figured out how to do the stepped down piecing for the pattern you show - guess I'll have to buy the book (although I've only been able to find the eReader veersion). I did run across this tutorial on Seminole piecing. It's not exactly the same but it shows how to think about piecing in another way besides traditional strips.
http://www.sewwellmaide.com.au/2012/...e-piecing.html