Yes, get the book. The manual isn't even adequate. The description of most of the settings is far too vague. Barry's book, talking to people on this board, and experimenting on your own are really the only way to get the most out of this camera (and when you do it blows the DVX100 away).
The book is well written and valuable to any hvx owner. IF you get the hvx be sure to get the book. I have owned both, the dvx100a and now the hvx. Now that I've gotten used to hd quality (and dvcpro50) I will never go back to the dvx100 but boy do I miss not having to worry about light. If you plan on doing a lot of inside shots you may want to consider lugging some extra light around.
I ordered the book anyway. It'll probably push me over the edge to buy the camera. And if not, I can always sell it to one of the fine members of this community. And if I buy the camera and wait around for the book deal via Panny, then I'll sell *that* book.
So buy the book. It's gotta beat trawling thru the forums looking for answers.
Support this forum and the guys who sustain it and provide value to it. And it will continue to add value to you.