Evo - I think I had about 350hrs before I read the book and bought it and Plourde's Compleat Taildragger when I bought a share in a taildragger.
It really did make me understand things far better than I previously had.
I have dipped into it fairly frequently since first devouring it 5 years ago. Between Trevor Thom and Langesweiche I don't think that you'll go too far wrong.
So - was your first lesson in a tailwheel aeroplane? No, thought not!!
Stik