>After reading some of the other posts on this thread, it occurred to me that reading JimB's and Steve's book first might be the right way to go about reading the series. My gut reaction is that what's presented in there could be applied in the other books, resulting in the reader getting more out of them. Of course, not having read the others, this is pure speculation. It seems, however, to make sense.

Hiya Geo,
I think I would agree with that for somebody with VFP experience. But the Whil Hentzen book looks to be a solid starting point for somebody just new to the wonderful world of VFP perhaps.