I've run alky on the street for years.
Had a 462 with an alky dominator, short deck, no fill, with a Moroso electric water pump drive and plastic mechanical fan.
We'd literally drive it all over town on 90F degree days without the water pump even being on.
As for the book. It's written in the most simplistic terms that ANYONE who can tell the difference between a 1/2 and 9/16 wrench can understand. It's packed full of knowledge and easy to understand formulas that will help you be successful right at fire up.
But, if you prefer to guess, by all means, have at it. It'll cost more than the book and time to read it.