Yes and no. You are right most books are usable with the exception of one already mention, Water Dog. It is the the worst book on retriever training hands down I have read. Not all books use the same basic system. Most books books use some variation of a Rex Carr method. But there are some like "clicker" training, and Wolters.
The best source I have seen for early training is Jackie Merten's "Sound Beginnings" DVD. I would join a local club to find training groups who you can train with and show you how to train. Use the Wolter's book to level a sofa, makes for good tinder as well.