I really don't know how it is on the other side of the pond but i would bet every good demo man in the UK would tell you you couldn't learn this trade from a book!
Theres not enough paper in the world to fit it all on!
I was lucky enough to catch the last of (what we call in the UK) the old school.
These were rugged old men who would take down any size building by hand until they got down to a level where a 22RB (with a ball and a 100 foot stick) could reach!
I was a labourer at the time and we didn't wear hi vi's, hats or safety harnesses!
We only wore boots because it was hard on your sneakers! (Didn't know i could speak the lingo)
If you guys in the States googled a guy called Fred Dibnah and watched some of his work! (He's a famous steeplejack)
Thats the kind of guys i worked with!
It would take me a lifetime to write down their knowledge into a book!