Hello alan,
While discussion here may give you some good help, I would also encourage you to take your questions to the folk at Dhammastudygroup.
In their Files section, in "Useful Posts" under 'V', they have selected posts and threads on this topic.
Rather than having a book with notes and scribbles in it, start from the beginning and see if their are threads already. You can add your queries to that thread or start another honing in on your questions.
Nina van Gorkom, Sarah, Rob Kirkpatrick and many others are well-qualified to answer any questions you may have.
Dhammastudygroup
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dhammastudygroup/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I was interested to see that the Dalai Lama also values the Visuddhimagga.
Posts listed in the Useful Posts section for members of Dhammastudygroup (you may have to join to have access):
Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification) - Understanding with Sub-comy extracts 23138, 23165, 23206, 23263, 23213, 23282, 23658, 23659, 23789, 23851, 24135, 24146, 24166, 24246, 24406, 24484, 24600, 25085, 25256, 25257, 25333, 25347, 25421, 25510, 25548, 25668, 25689, 25803, 25907, 25908, 25921, 25939, 25940, 26246, 26320, 26505, 26700, 26728, 26861, 26988, 27147, 27182, 27482, 27808, 27958, 27977, 28057, 28216, 28896, 28817
Visuddhimagga, ch X1V, Larry's index of text posts and Nina's summaries and translations of the commentary 55332
Visuddhimagga -Dalai Lama 35752
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/sDpCS9lEE3 ... 2009.htm#V" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
metta
Chris