I've been following this thread with interest and to be honest I've got to say I'm skeptical about songwriting books in general. Sure you can pick up some general types but at the end of the day I find it is something that kinda comes natural and with time and these books are kinda written by people that at the end of the know f&$k all about writing songs that sell. I don't know the background of these 'authors' or musicians but surely if they knew as much as they profess they'd be writing hit songs rather than books about songwriting?
I also am skeptical about the idea that reading a book can make you infinitely better at something. For example I've read the autobiographies of many footballers, football mangers, singers and actors. They haven't made me a better footballer, singer or actor. I think people are limited to what they can pick up in a book. Besides if Bob Dylan or Paul Simon - two songwriters I admire hugely and who I would kill to have 0.0001% of their songwriting ability - released a book about songwriting how could that be replicated in todays market that differs hugely in nature, dynamic and general direction to the era these guys rose to fame in.
I kinda view these books as a 'catch penny' in the same way I view 'self help books' I think they are easy money for opportunistic people that prey on the desire of others to better themselves.
That said maybe if I did read one of these books I'd actually be able to write a half decent song and might actually have made a few quid from it. Enough said!!!!