Base* pointer points to "new" derived class

[The Grey Wolf]

I wonder if I should have just started on a new full-scale book, maybe Bjarne Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language, 4th Ed"..any recommendations?

I find it hard to judge a book in terms of suitability for a beginner but this may be worth a look:

C++ Crash Course A Fast-Paced Introduction
by Josh Lospinoso
https://nostarch.com/cppcrashcourse

[seeplus]

The C++ Programming Language book is a reference - not from which to learn C++.

For a Beginner, my preference is Ivor Horton's Beginning C++20: From Novice to Professional
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginning-C-20-Novice-Professional/dp/1484258835/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ivor+horton+beginning+c%2B%2B20&qid=1629794211&s=books&sr=1-1

Another alternative, if you can wait, is Stanley Lippman's C++ Primer (released 28 Oct 2021) (don't get the earlier version as that only covers C++11)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/C-Primer-Stanley-B-Lippman-dp-0135161797/dp/0135161797/ref=dp_ob_title_bk