well, I'll try to help.
I only built one guitar, but like you, I started from the very beginning, knowing nothing.
you said you didn't find that book they recommended you. I'll recommend another: "building electric guitars", by martin koch. I saw it on sale at amazon a few months ago.
I used mainly this one, and I think it's great. he's a german, but the book is in english.
the author has a website, www.buildyourguitar.com, with some articles. it's very interesting.
I recommend you to take a look in all building process you found (an there are many in this site). You'll see that there are many ways of doing the same thing, it'll help you taking decisions.
if you want, you can se my guitar too. the link is below, in my signature. I created a toppic for it, in the done projects area.
it's very that you have the basic tools and people to help. in my case, I "borrowed" an wood workshop, and I had a great help from the woodworkers.
well, some tips for you:
- try to choose an easy project. an existing guitar, but without complications. do not make curved top, binding, inlays... (i made a telecaster because it's one of the easiest guitars, and 'cause i love it).
- if you're going to make a new project, make it based on an existing project.
- tune-o-matic bridges are easier to get wrong... mainly, fender gears are more flexible, they are designded to have more setup range, you don't need to be so precise.
- make an bolt-on neck (screwed-on? i don't know the name), not the glued neck...
weel, it's my tips for you... possibly someone can give you differente ones, you do what you think it's better
sorry for my english, I still studing this language...
and show us your building process!