I think rather than ask various people who may or may not have even read the book about their stop sign techniques is non-productive and inaccurate as it relates to your question. I foresee this thread just turning into a debate about stop signs. That would be a real shame because this is an important subject and there is so much more to it than a simple stop sign debate. The stop sign example, taken out of context of the book, makes little sense without the rest of the book's message.
Correct me if I'm wrong but your question is not really about whether to always stop for a stop sign or not, right?....

You can get Hurt's book used on Amazon for about $10 (look for it under its new title, The Art of Cycling in the 21st Century or something like that- it's cheaper than the first edition titled Art of Urban Cycling)...same exact book though.

I think just as when one is driving there may be situations where to be safer you must do something not strictly by the rules, the same holds true in bicycling in traffic, but your choices and decisions are even more dangerous and critical since you are so physically vulnerable and so often not seen by cars.

There is another urban cycling book out there now (not by Hurst or Forester) that advises downright dangerous moves in biking in traffic. Forester's advice was at the opposite end- strictly following auto rules regardless of the situation you find yourself in. I feel that Hurst's book falls in the middle between the two extremes. In his book, Hurst writes of his great respect for Forester and Forester's methods, but then goes on to explain how and why he has developed certain ways of staying safe in today's traffic situations that differ from Forester's advice.

I read Hurt's book and it empowered me and completely changed my traffic cycling methods. I truly believe that having read this book will one day save my life riding in traffic. What's more, I suspect it may have done so already, perhaps on more than one occasion. I used to do things i 'thought' were safer when in fact they merely put me into dangerous traffic situations without my even realizing it. New cyclists so often confuse etiquette with safety. No wonder I kept freaking out and finding myself in terrible situations on the road. I was scared and confused in traffic... and rightly so. Every situation required me to make critical decisions in a split second.
Now I know how to ride defensively and safely by keeping myself from getting into those traffic death traps to begin with. I feel way more in control and I keep safe. I think ahead and look ahead so as to avoid potential traps.

Personally, I cannot recommend Hurst's book highly enough- he thoroughly explains exactly why he recommends certain methods of defensive cycling. He also covers road hazards and hazardous conditions aside from cars. Also interesting is his history of America's road grids and how we became a nation of communities built around the holy premise of Car as King.

Read his book, try it out for yourself and make your own judgement.

As to stop signs....everyone will have a different opinion on that can or worms.