Lose the idea that you're going to read a quick guide and then start recovering and refining gold. That's not going to happen.
Do as you've already been told. Download Hoke's book, then read it cover to cover. Also, perform the experiments she provides, in particular, testing, as without that knowledge, you will work blindly. When you've done that you're most likely not going to understand a great deal---so read it again. Mean time, read the board, trying to make sense of the things you read. When what you read in both Hoke's book and the board start making sense, you'll be on your way to understanding the processes involved, most of which are hazardous to you and the environment.
Do not attempt processing until you have a firm understanding. All that's going to do is lead to considerable frustration for you, as well as offering the risk of harming yourself, and/or the environment, to say nothing of failing in what you hope to achieve. At that point you're going to start asking questions, which will be a dead give-away that you have not done your homework. That, in turn, will most likely result in your being ignored, as we do little to help those who refuse to help themselves.
It should be noted that reading Hoke's book, in and of itself, will not provide guidance in processing escrap. It was written long before there was such waste material available. However, until you understand the basics taught in her book, you will struggle with refining. Reading the board (the Gold Refining Forum board) will educate you in processes that relate to escrap processing. Combined, you'll have everything you need to learn the craft of recovering and refining precious metals.
Harold
