Well Evo, I'm in the same boat, but I have used it successfully to a few basic effects to a logo or two and I'm currently on page 2 of the book I mentioned
One thing I came across which wasted two hours of my time while I checked every setting and uninstalled re-installed PS:
I was adding text to a logo but it was stubbornly formatting itself at font size 26 - that's when I discovered the tool preset (just under File in the menu)
- how I got it to preset I do not know....wasn't me, honest!
So there's your first tip. Beware of automation!
Cheers
Charles