Scott, recieved your book here in the Netherlands via bol.com. Got Sonar 8 power previously, so I am familiar with your writing style. From my experience and the first look, this book will not only help me teach how to work with X2 but also will introduce some unthought possibilities of what I could do with this immense software package.
I will write a review in time on this Dutch webshop's site. Respect!
Reading this thread I saw you ask about user experiences with Sonar X2. I just upgraded from Sonar 8.5. While I was happy with that, I can see the enormous potential of X2. It feels it will take my music making to another level.
The most sensible way I can think of how to use X2 for the moment, is just experimenting. The results in mixing are different and feel better. And there are a lot of options to explore.
I mostly want to use it for midi loop based multi thematic long electronic compositions (like where Tubular Bells meets Kraftwerk). Probably some randomly generated ambient noise and also re-works of downloaded midi tracks from well known tunes just for the fun of it.
While I had it, I never have used the matrix view before. I wasn't attracted to it, but I think the time has come to make use of it.
Cheers!