I think you may be just looking from your own point of view that you find things obvious but that doesn't mean general advice won't help others.

I am addicted to them. As a kid I used to read books on judo, karate, the guitar, programming, and how to be a spy.

I now read books on startups, investing, programming and writing.

The actual improvement comes from the practice, but I still feel the books and advice play a critical role. They can do the following:

1. They pump me up to go and practice.

2. They actually demonstrate particular exercises or thought experiments.

3. They just get me thinking about the particular item

4. They make me fell less alone because others are thinking about it

5. They make the activity seem important in the life affirming sense of it is worth my time

I think all we can ask of "startup advice" is that it fill a similar niche.