Well, that's self-serving to the max. You might as well say that the
physicists on believe Newton's Principles; after all, it's "only" a theory.

I suggest you do read Hoadley (or any of several references from the US
Forest Products Lab, these can be downloaded at no cost); specifically
Chap 4, "Wood and Water".

The short story is---...

Very interesting and valuable information. But I'm not sure it's particularly
relavent to my situation.

If it is warped, simply putting under great pressure (I have a few thousand
pounds of red bricks at hand), it's probably not pertinent *which* way it's
warped.

Placed on small square lumber and weighted, should give some good results.