The primary reason it is so much harder to grasp is because it is WAY more than a crypto-currency. In fact, XRP...the currency in Ripple...is far from significant. Dollars, Euros, Bitcoin, Yen, Litecoin, etc. are what's important.
Perhaps these videos will help you:
Here's an overview of Ripple ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zxA3Gt7y3c
Here is an explanation of Ripple in 60 seconds ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwyIEMyMfqs
Here is a video to help you understand how a Gateway works ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M16ZatXbmLg
Here is a video to help you understand how the consensus ledger works ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj1QVb1vlC0
Perhaps this video will help you understand how the client works ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06H86TNeJMw