Looks like a nice book to have checked out at the library.....At least you can take it back..
There is no "one size fits all" answers to questions about using wood as a fuel/heat source in cooking...To many variables...Over a campfire in a dutch oven/wrapped in foil or over a campfire on a grill or spit?? Answers may be different....
You don't have to!!! You can choose to however. There is a difference of opinion about.. to soak or not to soak. I come down on the side of...it's a waste of time...and in some instances harmful. Wood does not absorb water easily...They make boats out of it --- Any absorption is very shallow into the wood even after hours in the water. Test that have weighed wood prior to soaking and again after soaking back this up. There is not much gain in weight. All it does is delay the time it takes for the wood to burn...The water will be converted to steam.. Then the wood will burn as if it had never been soaked. Adding large chunks of wet wood to a bed of hot coals can cool the fire down...delaying cooking times etc. Still there are those who choose to soak...Old habits die hard!
Have Fun!