Actually, I pitch a 1L unstirred active starter of WLP380 HefeIV for mine - "technically" underpitching.

As far as "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" goes, it's a great book, and is still well worth the read IMO. however, it is a bit outdated and you will have to "unlearn" some things - but his techniques and recipes do make very good beer - they worked for me when I first started. And I've unlearned quite well.

After you finish Charlie's book pick up a copy of Palmer's "How to Brew".