Hand-tool woodworking is the slow-cooking version of the craft. Power tools win on speed and uniformity; hand tools win on finish and on what you can do in a flat without a workshop.
Where to start
A sharp tool does the work. Most hand-tool failures are sharpness failures. Spend the first month learning to sharpen, not to cut. The rest of the craft becomes much easier.
What matters most
Start with three tools well: one bench plane, one chisel, one saw. Add only when you have a project that genuinely needs more.
What to skip
Wood selection matters more than tools. Pine teaches you nothing about chiselling; cherry teaches you everything. Buy the better wood for projects you care about.