...the first 73 pages of Chapter 2, which was suppose to be a
brief overview of prerequisite theory, invoked just about every undergraduate gypsy trick in the book from multivariable and advanced calculus, partial differential equations, EM field theory, and isn't shy about referencing a table of integrals published in 1961 to "simplify" derivations.
At this rate, I'll need a bit more than this winter break to finish off chapter 3. The process of transforming weakness into strength is indeed a long and painful one.