Evil Kraig F (4/23/2013)
What you really want to inspect is the Execution Plans for queries to start learning how SQL Server handles things under the hood. I recommend you start with Grant Fritchey's book. It's available for free on the site as a PDF download.
It's on my to-do list 🙂 along with Bolton's "Professional SQL Server 2012 Internals and Troubleshooting" and like 7 other books that are supposed to be good :s Need to focus on Sybex's MCITP book for now though then the pocket consultant, self target of 70-450 near the end of May 😮 4-5 weeks studying of SQL Server under my belt so far, 4 more weeks to go...unless the practice test is a disaster in 3 weeks time :crying:
Dird