Point taken
Many thanks chaps, I like so many pilots out there want to have my cake and eat it too i.e. I sincerely wish to learn and pass my ATPL exams.
Though I was able to get through the Oxford books it felt that I wasn't making as much progress as I felt I should have. Obviously this is just a gut feeling and how would I really know what rate of progress I should be making but it was like perhaps someone had left the handbrake partially on.
I love to read and study but wished to strike an effective balance between practically and 'bureacracy of academia'
Anyway thanks once again and I shall certainyl take your points onboard.