I learned the sextant with the aid of Knight's Modern Seamanship, Dutton's Navigation and Bowditch's Practical Navigator. I heartilly recommend these texts for falling asleep when you 've consumed large amounts of caffiene. I still needed the kind administrations of a chief quartermaster to become proficient. Until you can find such a resource, I recommend practising 'the heroic pose' in a mirror. Don't forget Old Spice for mariners and BayRhum aftershave for aviators ;O)