To the driveway mechanic most shop manuals are lacking because we don't all have the knowledge and experience that the publisher expects the intended readers to have. For example they tell you where this and that part are located but don't explain how to get to it and what tools are required, because mechanics and technicians are supposed to know this already.
Also exploded views of the engine and transmission are not included in most typical shop manuals, they just refer the reader to the Essex engine manual (if you have the 3.8) and AXxx transmission manual, which makes sense but is not practical for us. This applies to many other parts as well. In my experience the most extensive reference resources are to be found in engineering manuals for a particular model, but these are hard to come by and very expensive. Even if 80% of what is written in those engineering manuals is pure gibberish to most of us, the photos, diagrams and graphics are very useful. They even have detailed views of every bolt and nut used on the vehicle.