Vertex modelling--poly modelling--is so basic to 3D that it really need to become second nature to work with.
Two things are basic to all learning from my 77year perspective.

In Computers/3D
One is to work with (fiddle/explore) all the things one can click on on the UI
Two, is to really take time to read the Help. I mean read from page one to the end as if it was a novel.

I think the Carrara 6 Help is fairly good--Vertex Modelling P174 onwards.
Set up the Search function to find information from the Help pdf----its amazing the list of reference items that so regularly get listed!
(I use the Search many times, every day)

Brian

bwtr