Bonjour Barracuda,
It is good for v2, as it is the current edition.
It is as basic as you said: less than manuals. This book is mostly intended to familiarize you with the software main concepts before you start digging into it.
It doesn't cover the Render Tree, the render passes, the Animation Mixer, the FX Tree, and rigging, Hairs, and simulations. Materials are detailed as basically as possible. Modeling is more covered, as the Animation Editor. Workflow and interface are, on the other hand, covered in great lenght.
So in few words it's more a introduction book than anything else.
I don't regret its purchase, as it allowed me to familiarize with the essential stuff, then to move on with other learning material. However I was disappointed, my expectations were higher, and I think I paid a little too much for what I got (I even had to pay the shipping fee upon reception!). It's nothing against Anthony Rossano, it's just that if you look at the description on Mesmer or Amazon it suggests much more content. Still, it's well written and well done.
Hope this helps
Salutations - Cheers
Bernard Lebel