Good you like the book!
A slope is fine, run beds up and down for easier management, otherwise compost, water etc falls off the bottom side.You can terrace if you want, there is no rule about not digging to start with, but I doubt you need to.
I use the ridging tool for drawing drills to sow seed, but not often and could manage without it. Trowel, hoe and manure fork are the main tools I use, and a long dibber.