I suppose it depends where the book starts, ie what Arduino knowhow does it assume?
If it assumes you know Arduino, then you would probably want to put the book aside for a while and work through (at least some of) the Arduino examples here
I think quite a few folk get one or other of the Arduino starter kits, that being an easy way to get an Uno and breadboard and leds, pots, resistors and small motors and stuff. I found it just as easy to buy a few odds and ends loose; you've probably got some of that as a ham, unless you're old-school vacuum tube, hi.
73.... have fun.