Here's my class list and class schedule, geesh! I won't be done until November And the book is a little spendy as well, thought it was free but I'll need it for further reference anyway
If the book is the ARRL operating manual, it is worth the price and it will give you the basics to refer to when you have questions.
My son just got a new portable antenna for his Amateur Radio, and he was out with his wife to test it out at a park along the Tennessee River. He said that he had no problem picking up someone in Wisconsin with just the portable radio and antenna setup. Here is what he was using.