I've learned an awful lot from watching Norm Abram on the PBS New Yankee Workshop show--including to NOT use a nailgun in the final assembly steps like he ALWAYS does!
Learn the right techniques and always be paranoid. I've nearly lost fingers on every big project I've worked on, and that's even while being aware of the dangers. Part of that is that I'm using a crappy tablesaw, so don't skimp on tool quality if you can.
A lot of the skills are amazingly similar to detailing, especially sanding.
It's also really helpful to understand how wood "works" meaning how the grain reacts to moisture changes. There is an excellent book called "
Understanding Wood" if you ever decide to get serious.
Have fun!