Imagine you're the new kid in school. Some of you would do just fine, but others would really appreciate having someone guide them through the day. You know, explain how to get your locker un-stuck (do they even have lockers anymore?), which days you can get the better food at the cafeteria (do they even serve food at cafeterias anymore?), which teachers are the best (do they even... ok I'll stop), all of that.
Gwen Steege has just published a 320-page tome with Storey that is the knitter's equivalent of such a friend/experience. She skims over a lot of territory, but she definitely helps new knitters establish their compass points. And for more experienced knitters, I think the book still has some nuggets of inspiration.