Where's Help???? – Book Towers - Brain Teaser Math & Logic Tower Puzzle Review

This may be intuitive to some but not me. Where's the Help? How does 'solution' work and what does the number in the corner meant ? Can I stop the solution (initiated by one of many blind stabs) once I see the next step? What are stacks and stages--what's the hierarchy to proceed? If I'm at 47/135, how I get to 48? I expect there simple answers to these basic questions but I'm blocked. I like the puzzle well enough but... Is Help part of the puzzle?
Review by Merry sue on Book Towers - Brain Teaser Math & Logic Tower Puzzle.